Baking soda is one of the most talked-about home ingredients for pest control. It’s inexpensive, easy to find, and doesn’t involve spraying harsh chemicals around your home. But here’s the honest truth: baking soda is supportive, not magical. It works best as part of a clean, consistent routine—not as a single overnight fix.
Used correctly, it can help discourage several common household pests.
Why Baking Soda Is Used Against Pests
Baking soda is alkaline and drying. For small insects, this can disrupt their bodies when combined with attractants. It also absorbs moisture and odors, which many pests rely on.
It’s most effective for insects, less so for larger pests.
1. Cockroaches
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon sugar
How to use:
Mix equal parts and place small amounts in shallow lids near sinks, behind appliances, and along walls.
Sugar attracts roaches; baking soda disrupts their digestive system. Replace every few days.
2. Ants
Ingredients:
- Baking soda
- Powdered sugar
How to use:
Mix 1:1 and place near ant trails and entry points. Keep dry.
This works best for small ant infestations when combined with sealing entry cracks.
3. Fleas (Support Method)
Ingredients:
- Baking soda
- Salt (fine)
How to use:
Mix equal parts and sprinkle lightly on carpets and pet-free areas. Brush into fibers, leave overnight, then vacuum thoroughly.
This helps dry flea eggs but does not replace proper pet treatment.
4. Moths (Closets & Cabinets)
Ingredients:
- Baking soda
- Small open containers
How to use:
Place baking soda in bowls or sachets in closets and cupboards. It absorbs odors that attract moths and helps keep spaces dry.
5. Spiders (Deterrent)
Ingredients:
- Baking soda
- Water
How to use:
Sprinkle dry baking soda along window sills, corners, and entry points. Spiders avoid treated areas.
6. Mice & Rats (Important Truth)
Baking soda does not reliably eliminate mice or rats. Claims that it “kills rodents” are exaggerated and not dependable.
What it can do:
- Absorb odors
- Help identify activity areas
- Support cleanliness that discourages nesting
For rodents, sealing entry points and proper traps are essential.
Final Reminder
Baking soda works best when combined with:
- Clean surfaces
- No food crumbs
- Sealed cracks
- Regular replacement
If infestations persist or involve rodents, professional control is the safest option.
Simple household tools can help—but honesty matters more than hype.
