Why baking soda?
It’s abrasive and disrupts insects’ internal systems. When pests ingest or come into contact with it, baking soda causes dehydration and death. Plus, it works as a repellent on many surfaces. Combined with other ingredients, it can attract pests and then eliminate them — all without breaking the bank!
How to use baking soda against common pests:
Cockroaches
Ingredients:
- 1 part baking soda
- 1 part white sugar
Instructions:
Mix well and place small amounts on lids or shallow plates. Put them in corners, under sinks, behind the fridge, or anywhere you’ve seen cockroach activity.
Why it works:
Sugar attracts cockroaches, and baking soda reacts with their stomach acid to kill them — no poison needed!
Ants
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Instructions: Mix and place along ant trails near baseboards, entrances, balconies, or kitchen corners.
Extra tip: Seal cracks with silicone or vinegar to stop ants from coming back. Baking soda kills ants from the inside, even the queen if she carries it back to the nest.
Spiders
Repellent spray:
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 2 cups water
- Juice of 1 lemon (optional)
How to use: Mix in a spray bottle and spray around windows, doors, baseboards, and damp corners.
Why it works: Spiders dislike clean, dry areas. This spray deodorizes and keeps them away without harming surfaces.
Rats and Mice
Bait recipe:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions: Mix and place in small amounts along rodent paths. Keep away from pets!
How it works: Baking soda reacts with their stomach acid, creating gas they can’t expel — a less cruel alternative to traps.
Fleas
Carpet powder:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1 cup fine salt
Use: Sprinkle on carpets, pet beds, or upholstery. Leave for 12+ hours, then vacuum well. Repeat twice a week to break the flea cycle.
Moths, larvae, and other pests
Cleaning mix:
- 1 liter water
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar (optional)
Use: Clean floors, cupboards, outdoor spots, and hard-to-reach areas. Baking soda disinfects and discourages pests from settling.
Important tips:
- Keep baking soda away from children and pets when using baits or traps.
- Clean regularly to remove pest shelters.
- Repeat treatments twice a week at first for best results.
