In ,
SoCalMike spewed forth:
Gary Heston wrote:

Almost anything with hard, sharp crystals (i.e., Comet or Ajax type
powdered abrasive cleaners) will also work; the function of the boric
acid powder is to scratch the exoskeleton of the insects and cause
them to dry out. Boric acid is pretty safe stuff, and will wash away
(unlike the abrasive cleaners).

diatomaceous earth used in some pool filters will also work,
supposedly.

diatomaceous earth and pool filter DE are different, the latter has no
pesticide value.
As for diatomaceous earth, I've had excellent results with fleas and ants as
well as other pests. You can dust your pets with, put it in their food(for
internal parasites) and around their food outdoors to keep the ants out of
it.
ymmv