Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, can be used as a natural pest control method for various pests. However, its effectiveness depends on the specific pest and the application method. Here’s how you can use baking soda to control different pests:
1. Cockroaches:
Mix baking soda with a small amount of sugar to attract cockroaches to the mixture.
Sprinkle the mixture in areas where you’ve seen cockroaches or near their hiding spots.
When cockroaches ingest the baking soda, it reacts with water in their bodies, causing them to expand and die from the inside out.
2. Centipedes:
To deter centipedes from climbing up drains, create a baking soda and vinegar mixture.
Pour one cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by around two cups of vinegar.
This mixture produces carbon dioxide (CO2), which can drown the centipedes.
3. Snails and Slugs:
Sprinkle baking soda directly onto snails and slugs in your garden.
Focus on areas where they are commonly found.
Baking soda will dehydrate them, but make sure it’s used as humanely as possible.
4. Ants:
Create a mixture of baking soda and sugar to attract ants.
Sprinkle the mixture near ant trails or around their nest.
Ants that ingest the baking soda will experience internal expansion and dehydration.
5. Mice and Rats:
Mix baking soda with sugar and flour to create bait for rodents.
Form the mixture into balls and place them where mice or rats are likely to find and eat them.
Baking soda causes a fatal buildup of gas inside the rodent.
6. Fleas:
Sprinkle a mixture of equal parts baking soda and salt on carpets, rugs, and soft furnishings.
Work the mixture into the fibers using a brush or broom.
Leave it overnight and vacuum thoroughly in the morning.
This helps dehydrate fleas and their eggs.
7. Bed Bugs:
Create a paste using baking soda and water.
Spread the paste on common bed bug hiding places and surrounding areas.
Bed bugs coming into contact with the paste may dehydrate and die.
Repeat this process and use fresh paste as needed.
Always exercise caution when using baking soda for pest control, and consider humane methods whenever possible. Additionally, be aware that baking soda alone may not be sufficient for eliminating severe infestations, and you may need to explore other pest control options if the problem persists.