Instructions:
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- Mix equal parts baking soda and sugar.
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- Sprinkle the mixture in areas where you’ve seen ants, especially near entry points or along their trails.
The sugar attracts the ants, while the baking soda disrupts their digestive system, leading to their elimination.
3. Mice and Rats
Rodents are unable to expel gas, which makes baking soda an effective way to eliminate them.
What You Need:
2/3 cup of baking soda
2/3 cup of sugar
2/3 cup of flour
Warm water
Instructions:
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- Mix the dry ingredients thoroughly.
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- Slowly add warm water until you get a dough-like consistency.
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- Roll the mixture into small balls and place them in areas where rodents are active.
Once ingested, the gas buildup in their stomachs leads to fatal consequences.
4. Fleas
Fleas can be challenging to eliminate, but a combination of baking soda and salt works wonders.
What You Need:
1/2 cup of baking soda
1/2 cup of salt
Instructions:
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- Mix equal parts baking soda and salt.
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- Sprinkle the mixture over carpets, rugs, and furniture where fleas might be hiding.
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- Use a brush to work the mixture deep into the fibers.
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- Let it sit overnight, then vacuum the area thoroughly.
Dispose of the vacuum contents outside immediately to prevent reinfestation.
5. Bed Bugs
Baking soda can help dehydrate and eliminate bed bugs.
What You Need:
1/2 cup of baking soda
Water
Instructions:
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- Mix baking soda with just enough water to form a paste.
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- Spread the paste on areas where bed bugs are present, such as the mattress seams, bed frames, and furniture cracks.
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- Leave it overnight, then vacuum it up the next morning.
Repeat the process every few days until the infestation is gone.
6. Snails and Slugs
Baking soda works by dehydrating snails and slugs, making it an effective way to protect your garden.
What You Need:
Baking soda
Instructions:
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- Sprinkle a light layer of baking soda on the soil around your plants.
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- Focus on areas where you’ve seen snails and slugs previously.
Be careful not to use too much, as baking soda can alter soil pH if applied in excess.
7. Centipedes
If centipedes are coming up through your drains, baking soda can help eliminate them.
What You Need:
1 cup of baking soda
2 cups of vinegar
Instructions:
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- Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain.
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- Follow with 2 cups of vinegar.
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- The bubbling reaction will help push the mixture deeper into the drain, suffocating centipedes in the process.
Repeat as necessary to keep centipedes at bay.
Additional Uses of Baking Soda for Pest Control
Repelling insects – A sprinkle of baking soda around entry points can prevent bugs from coming inside.
Stopping fungus growth – Baking soda can help combat powdery mildew on plants. Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 1 cup of water and spray it on affected areas.
Keeping moths away – A small bowl of baking soda in your pantry or closets can help repel moths naturally.
Precautions When Using Baking Soda for Pest Control
Avoid excessive application around plants, as too much baking soda can disrupt soil balance.
Always test baking soda treatments in small amounts before widespread application.
Keep baking soda mixtures away from pets unless specifically intended for pet use.
Final Thoughts
Baking soda is a powerful, natural alternative to chemical pesticides. It provides an effective and inexpensive way to manage pests while keeping your home and garden safe. By using these simple methods, you can maintain a pest-free environment without resorting to harmful toxins. Try these baking soda solutions today and experience the benefits of natural pest control!