The bacteriostatic activities of two alkyl boronic acids were compared with boric acid. Some primary irritation and chronic toxicity determinations of the compounds were also accomplished. The results indicated that nonyl boronic acid and dodecyl boronic acid possessed bacteriostatic activity superior to boric acid, and that very dilute concentrations of these compounds could be employed to achieve bacteriostasis. Toxicological testing showed the alkyl boronic acids employed to be only mildly irritating and apparently nontoxic when applied to animal skin.