Baking soda and vinegar are more than just kitchen staples; they’re also natural and eco-friendly solutions for controlling common household pests. If you’re looking for a chemical-free way to keep bugs at bay, these simple ingredients can be surprisingly effective. Here are three proven ways to use baking soda and vinegar to kill and repel pests.

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1. Eliminate Ants with Baking Soda and Vinegar

Ants are a common household pest, and they can quickly invade your kitchen or other areas of your home. Baking soda and vinegar can disrupt their trails and kill them naturally.

What You’ll Need:

• Baking soda

• White vinegar

• Water

• Spray bottle

Instructions:

1. Locate the Ant Trail:

   • Find where the ants are coming in, and clean the area with soap and water to remove their scent trail.

2. Spray the Area:

   • Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray the areas where you see ants. The vinegar disrupts their scent trails and keeps them from finding food sources.

3. Baking Soda Trap:

   • Sprinkle baking soda near the ants’ entry point or directly on the trail. When ants consume the baking soda, it reacts with their digestive system and kills them.

4. Final Clean-Up:

   • After a day or two, wipe away any remaining baking soda and dead ants. Reapply as needed to prevent further infestations.

Why It Works: Baking soda reacts with the acidic compounds in ants’ stomachs, while vinegar destroys their trails, preventing them from returning.

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2. Kill Roaches with a Baking Soda Bait

Roaches are resilient pests, but baking soda can help eliminate them. When ingested, baking soda causes a buildup of gas in the roach’s digestive system, which kills them.

What You’ll Need:

• Baking soda

• Sugar

• Water

• Small dish

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Bait:

   • Mix equal parts baking soda and sugar in a small dish. The sugar will attract the roaches, while the baking soda will do the killing.

2. Set the Bait:

   • Place the dish in areas where you’ve seen roaches, such as under sinks, behind appliances, or in dark corners.

3. Wait and Reapply:

   • Roaches will consume the mixture, and within a few days, you should notice a decrease in their population. Reapply the bait every few days until the infestation is gone.

Why It Works: The sugar attracts the roaches, and the baking soda reacts with their digestive acids, creating a lethal buildup of gas.

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3. Fruit Fly Trap with Vinegar and Baking Soda

Fruit flies are a common nuisance in kitchens, especially around fruits and vegetables. A vinegar and baking soda trap can effectively lure and kill fruit flies.

What You’ll Need:

• Baking soda

• Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar

• A small bowl or jar

• Plastic wrap or funnel

Instructions:

1. Set the Trap:

   • Pour about 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar into a small bowl or jar. This will attract the fruit flies.

2. Add Baking Soda:

   • Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to the vinegar. The bubbling action may help lure flies into the trap.

3. Cover and Poke Holes:

   • Cover the top of the bowl with plastic wrap and poke a few small holes in it, or use a funnel. This allows the fruit flies to enter but makes it difficult for them to escape.

4. Wait for Results:

   • Leave the trap out for a day or two. Once the flies are trapped inside, discard the contents and clean the area to prevent future infestations.

Why It Works: The smell of vinegar attracts fruit flies, and the baking soda mixture prevents them from escaping once they are inside the trap.

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Final Thoughts:

Baking soda and vinegar are incredibly versatile and effective at naturally eliminating common household pests. Whether you’re dealing with ants, roaches, or fruit flies, these non-toxic solutions are safe to use around your home and environmentally friendly. Give these methods a try to keep your home pest-free without resorting to harsh chemicals! 🌿🐞