🧂 Baking Soda’S Shocking Pest-Killing Powers – Eliminate Cockroaches, Fleas, Mice, And More! 🔥🐜

### **The $5 Secret Weapon Against Pests**

Baking soda—your kitchen’s humble leavening agent—is a **silent assassin** in the war against household pests. From cockroaches to mice, this non-toxic powder disrupts pests’ biology, dehydrates their exoskeletons, and even explodes their stomachs (yes, really). Unlike chemical pesticides, baking soda is **safe for kids, pets, and the planet** . Here’s how to weaponize it against 7 common invaders—and why pests fear your pantry.

### **Cockroaches: The Sugar-Baking Soda Death Trap**

Cockroaches can’t resist sugar—but when mixed with baking soda, it becomes **lethal** :

**Method** : Combine 1 part baking soda + 1 part powdered sugar. Sprinkle near nests or entry points.

**Why It Works** : Baking soda reacts with roach stomach acid, creating gas that ruptures their digestive systems.

_“They’ll literally explode from the inside,”_ says entomologist Dr. Lisa Chen.

### **Fleas: Carpet Bombing with Baking Soda**

Fleas thrive in carpets, but baking soda **dries out their eggs and larvae** :

– **Method** : Sprinkle generously on carpets, let sit 2 hours, then vacuum. Add a few drops of lavender oil to repel survivors.
– **Bonus** : Mix baking soda + salt + diatomaceous earth for a triple-threat flea killer.

### **Ants: The Invisible Wall of Death**

Ants hate baking soda’s alkaline properties. Create a **barrier they won’t cross** :

– **Method** : Line entry points (windows, doors) with baking soda. For instant kills, mix with powdered sugar (same as roaches).

### **Moths: The Silent Killer of Pantries**

Clothes moths and pantry moths detest baking soda’s odor and drying effect:

– **Method** :
– **Clothes Moths** : Place sachets of baking soda in closets.
– **Pantry Moths** : Sprinkle on shelves and inside containers.

### **Mice/Rats: The Fizzing Farewell**

Rodents can’t burp or pass gas—a fatal flaw when baking soda enters their diet:

**Method** : Mix baking soda with peanut butter (their favorite bait). Once ingested, it creates a fatal buildup of carbon dioxide.

**Note** : Pair with steel wool to block entry points.

### **Spiders: The pH Bomb They Can’t Escape**

Spiders’ exoskeletons dissolve in alkaline environments—**baking soda is their kryptonite** :

**Method** : Spray a mix of baking soda + water in corners and crevices.

### **Other Pests: Flies, Silverfish, and More**

**Flies** : Mix baking soda + vinegar in a bowl. The fizzing attracts and traps them.

**Silverfish** : Sprinkle baking soda in damp areas—they’ll dehydrate on contact.

### **The Science Behind the Kill**

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) works via three mechanisms:

**pH Disruption** : Alkaline powder burns pests’ exoskeletons and digestive systems.

**Dehydration** : Absorbs moisture from bodies and eggs.

**Gas Production** : Reacts with stomach acids in roaches and rodents, causing fatal bloating.

### **Safety First – When Baking Soda Backfires**

**Avoid Mixing with Ammonia or Vinegar** : Reduces effectiveness.

**Don’t Inhale Powder** : Irritates lungs (use a mask when sprinkling).

**Keep Dry** : Moisture neutralizes its pest-killing power.

### **FAQs**

**Q: Does baking soda really kill pests instantly?**
A: No—it takes hours to days, but it’s 100% effective with persistence.

**Q: Is it safe around pets?**
A: Yes, but store mixtures out of reach (large ingestion can cause stomach upset).

**Q: Can I use baking soda outdoors?**
A: Yes Sprinkle in gardens to deter slugs and beetles.

**Q: Why do pests hate baking soda?**
A: Its alkaline pH disrupts their biology, and the texture damages their exoskeletons.