Borax and diatomaceous earth are both versatile substances with various household uses. Borax, a mineral compound, is often employed as a cleaning agent and insecticide. When used as an insecticide, borax interferes with the digestive system of pests like ants, causing their eventual demise. Diatomaceous earth, on the other hand, is a powder made from fossilized remains of diatoms. It works as a desiccant, dehydrating insects upon contact by absorbing their waxy outer layer. Both substances offer effective, albeit different, solutions for pest control and other household applications.