Does Baking Soda Kill Roaches?
Cockroaches are one of the most invasive species on the planet and are not just a nuisance. These pests can spread disease and contaminate food, which is why it’s important to get rid of them as soon as possible.
One of the most common questions people ask when they discover cockroaches in their home is, “does baking soda kill roaches?” The answer is yes, but it’s not a long-term solution.
Below is everything you need to know about using baking soda to kill cockroaches and other long-term solutions, so your home stays free of pests.
Cockroaches & Chemical Trails
It’s important to note that new studies have provided new information on cockroaches. These studies have found that cockroaches leave behind a chemical trail to travel among other roaches. These chemical trails can make it extremely difficult to eliminate a cockroach problem, even if you manage to kill some of them.
Therefore, it’s best to use baking soda as a preliminary measure to help control the population and follow up with some of the other solutions listed below.
How to Use Baking Soda to Kill Cockroaches
You can use baking soda to kill cockroaches in a few different ways. One way is to sprinkle it around wherever you think they’re hiding. This method is known as spreading “out in the open,” and might not be as effective as creating baits to help attract cockroaches.
Baits are a better option to help both attract cockroaches and kill them effectively.
What Happens When Roaches Eat Baking Soda?
Baking soda is fast at killing cockroaches when they ingest it, but the problem is that most roaches don’t eat enough of it to die. That’s because they have the instinct to avoid things that could harm them.
The good news is that you can use this to your advantage by adding something sweet to the baking soda, like sugar or honey. Once the baking soda reacts with the cockroaches, it acts as a dehydrator. The baking soda sucks the moisture out of the cockroaches’ bodies, causing them to die of dehydration.
In addition, if you’ve ever mixed baking soda with moisture, you know that it quickly forms a bubbly solution. When cockroaches consume this mixture, it expands inside their bodies and eventually kills them as well.
Either way, contact with baking soda is fatal to cockroaches and an all-natural way to help eliminate these pests in your home.
Baking Soda Roach Killer Recipes
To make a baking soda cockroach trap, you’ll need:
-1/2 cup of baking soda
-1/2 cup of sugar or honey
-1/4 cup of water
-A small container
-A piece of cardboard
Instructions:
1. Add the baking soda, sugar or honey, and water to the container and stir until it’s well mixed.
2. Pour or scoop the mixture on to the piece of cardboard.
3. Place the bait in an area where you’ve seen cockroaches, and wait for them to take the bait.
4. Once the cockroaches have eaten the bait, they’ll die of dehydration.
5. Remove the carcasses and dispose of them properly.
You can also use a similar recipe to make a roach powder. This powder can be sprinkled around areas where you think they’re hiding.
To make roach powder, you’ll need:
-1/2 cup of baking soda
-1/4 cup of powdered sugar
-A small container with a lid
Instructions:
1. Add the baking soda and powdered sugar to the container and stir until it’s well-mixed.
2. Sprinkle the powder around areas where you’ve seen cockroaches, or use it to kill them on contact.
3. The powder will dehydrate the cockroaches, causing them to die after ingesting.
4. Remove the carcasses and ensure all other cracks in your home are sealed to prevent re-infestation.
How Long Does it Take Baking Soda to Kill Cockroaches?
The time for baking soda to kill cockroaches varies from a little over 10 to 60 hours. Various studies prove that the most important factor when making baking soda bait traps is to have a heavily weighted pellet, or mixture, with a high percentage of baking soda.
Therefore, it’s best to use sweet foods to help lure cockroaches into the trap and increase their chance of eating a lethal amount of baking soda.
You can also use other food items, such as bread crumbs or potato chips, as bait. Make sure the item is small enough for the cockroaches to eat.
When using any bait, it’s important to keep an eye on the trap and replenish it as needed. Once the roaches have eaten all the bait, they might not be attracted to the trap anymore.
You should also check the trap regularly to see if any cockroaches have been caught. If you see any, dispose of them properly so they can’t potentially escape and continue breeding.
Is Boric Acid or Baking Soda Better to Kill Roaches?
The same study that measured the time it took to kill cockroaches with baking soda also compared the effectiveness of boric acid. The study found that killing cockroaches with boric acid took less time!
Boric acid is a naturally occurring substance commonly used as an insecticide. It’s important to note that while boric acid is highly effective at killing roaches, it is also a poison and should be used with extreme caution. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using it. In addition, be sure to keep it out of reach of children and pets.
Preventing Cockroaches with Baking Soda
In addition to using baking soda to kill cockroaches, you can also use it as a preventative measure. You can do this by sprinkling baking soda around areas where cockroaches are commonly found, such as under appliances, in cabinets, or near garbage cans.
Conclusion
Baking soda is available everywhere, and if you’re stuck with a roach problem, it’s worth a try! Remember to use caution when handling any pesticides you mix with your baking soda, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions if using boric acid. Creating a safe and effective roach trap will help you eliminate your roach problem for good!
