Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a natural and versatile household item that can help you tackle pest problems effectively without harsh chemicals. Whether you’re dealing with ants, mice, cockroaches, fleas, or other common pests, baking soda can be your go-to solution. Here are 9 easy baking soda hacks to naturally get rid of pests from your home.
1. Baking Soda and Sugar for Cockroaches
Cockroaches are attracted to sweet things, so combining baking soda with sugar can lure them in. When they consume the mixture, the baking soda reacts with the acids in their stomachs, causing them to die.
How to Use:
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Mix equal parts of baking soda and sugar.
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Sprinkle the mixture in areas where you’ve seen cockroach activity, such as under the sink, behind appliances, and along baseboards.
2. Baking Soda and Vinegar for Ants
Ants follow scent trails to food sources. Baking soda disrupts their trails, and when combined with vinegar, it creates a reaction that kills ants.
How to Use:
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Sprinkle baking soda in the areas where you’ve spotted ants.
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Spray white vinegar over the baking soda to create a bubbling reaction that destroys ants on contact.
3. Baking Soda for Fleas
Fleas can be a big problem for pet owners. Baking soda can help dry out fleas and their eggs, reducing infestations naturally.
How to Use:
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Sprinkle baking soda on carpets, rugs, pet bedding, and furniture.
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Leave it for a few hours, then vacuum thoroughly to remove fleas and their eggs.
4. Baking Soda for Mice
Mice are repelled by the smell of baking soda, and consuming it can be lethal to them. It causes gas buildup that their bodies cannot process.
How to Use:
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Mix baking soda with peanut butter or sugar to create bait.
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Place the mixture in small, shallow dishes in areas where you’ve seen mouse activity, such as under cabinets or behind furniture.
5. Baking Soda and Water for Bed Bugs
Baking soda can help eliminate bed bugs by drying them out. This method works best as a preventative measure or for minor infestations.
How to Use:
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Sprinkle baking soda in the seams of your mattress, under the bed, and along the baseboards.
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Let it sit for a few days, then vacuum it up.
6. Baking Soda and Flour for Silverfish
Silverfish are nocturnal pests that thrive in damp, dark places. A combination of baking soda and flour attracts and kills them.
How to Use:
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Mix equal parts of baking soda and flour.
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Spread the mixture in areas where silverfish are found, such as basements, under sinks, or in cupboards.
7. Baking Soda and Salt for Slugs
Slugs can destroy plants in your garden or even make their way into your home. Baking soda and salt together create a powerful drying agent that dehydrates slugs.
How to Use:
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Mix baking soda and salt in equal parts.
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Sprinkle the mixture around the base of plants or along entryways to your home to keep slugs out.
8. Baking Soda and Essential Oils for Spiders
Spiders dislike strong scents, and baking soda combined with essential oils like peppermint or tea tree can deter them.
How to Use:
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Mix a few drops of essential oil with baking soda.
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Sprinkle the mixture in corners, window sills, and any areas where spiders are likely to enter.
9. Baking Soda for Dust Mites
Dust mites thrive in bedding, mattresses, and fabric surfaces. Baking soda can help reduce their population by disrupting their environment.
How to Use:
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Sprinkle baking soda over your mattress and bedding.
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Let it sit for several hours, then vacuum thoroughly to remove dust mites and allergens.
Conclusion
Baking soda is an all-natural, non-toxic way to combat a wide range of pests, from ants and cockroaches to fleas and mice. These simple hacks can help you create a pest-free environment in your home without relying on harsh chemicals. Whether you’re using baking soda alone or in combination with other household ingredients, it’s an affordable and effective solution to your pest problems.
