Baking soda is a versatile and eco-friendly household product that can be used to tackle a variety of pest problems, including cockroaches, fleas, ants, moths, mice, rats, and spiders. It works by disrupting pests’ bodily functions and serves as a deterrent for many unwanted invaders. Here’s how to use baking soda to keep your home pest-free without harmful chemicals.
1. Cockroaches
Baking soda is deadly to cockroaches when consumed. The reaction between baking soda and the roach’s stomach acid creates gas, which kills the roaches.
How to Use:
- Mix equal parts of baking soda and sugar. The sugar attracts the roaches, while the baking soda kills them.
- Place the mixture in shallow dishes or sprinkle it along roach pathways, such as near cracks, under sinks, and around baseboards.
- Repeat regularly until the infestation subsides.
2. Fleas
Baking soda is excellent for dehydrating and killing fleas in your carpets, pet bedding, and other areas.
How to Use:
- Sprinkle baking soda liberally on your carpets, rugs, and pet bedding.
- Use a brush to work the baking soda deep into the fibers.
- Let it sit for several hours, or overnight if possible, before vacuuming thoroughly.
- Repeat every few days until the fleas are gone.
3. Ants
Baking soda is effective at killing ants when combined with sugar. The sugar attracts the ants, while the baking soda disrupts their digestive systems.
How to Use:
- Mix equal parts of baking soda and sugar and place the mixture in small containers or sprinkle it near ant trails and entry points.
- The ants will carry the mixture back to their colony, eventually killing the entire group.
4. Moths
Moths are often attracted to stored fabrics and pantry items. Baking soda can help deter them by keeping your storage areas clean and dry.
How to Use:
- Sprinkle baking soda in the corners of your closets, drawers, or pantry shelves to absorb moisture and odors that attract moths.
- You can also mix baking soda with essential oils like lavender or cedar for added protection.
5. Mice and Rats
Baking soda can be lethal to mice and rats when ingested. Once ingested, baking soda reacts with their stomach acid, causing gas buildup, which their bodies cannot handle, leading to death.
How to Use:
- Mix equal parts baking soda and flour with a little bit of sugar or peanut butter (to attract them).
- Place the mixture in small containers near areas where mice or rats are active, such as along walls, behind appliances, or in cupboards.
- Check and replenish the bait regularly until the rodents are no longer a problem.
6. Spiders ️
Spiders dislike dry environments and are deterred by the properties of baking soda. Sprinkling baking soda can help keep them out of your home.
How to Use:
- Sprinkle baking soda along windowsills, doorways, and any cracks where spiders may enter.
- You can also combine baking soda with a few drops of essential oils like peppermint or tea tree oil to make it more effective.
7. Other Insects
Baking soda can be used to combat a variety of other pests, such as beetles, silverfish, and earwigs.
How to Use:
- For crawling insects, sprinkle baking soda around infested areas, in cracks, and along baseboards.
- You can mix baking soda with diatomaceous earth for a stronger insect-killing combination, as both work to dehydrate pests.
General Tips for Using Baking Soda for Pest Control:
- Combine with Sugar or Food: For pests like cockroaches, ants, and mice, mixing baking soda with a sweet substance like sugar or peanut butter will attract them, making the method more effective.
- Use Regularly: Pest control with baking soda may take time and persistence, so regularly refresh the mixtures and traps.
- Keep Dry: Baking soda works best in dry areas, so ensure the environment is moisture-free for maximum effectiveness.
- Non-toxic and Safe: Baking soda is safe to use around pets and children, making it an excellent alternative to chemical pesticides.
Final Thoughts:
Using baking soda as a natural pest control method is a safe, effective, and eco-friendly way to handle a variety of household pests, including cockroaches, fleas, ants, moths, mice, and spiders. With simple combinations and regular applications, you can keep your home and garden pest-free without relying on harmful chemicals.