Many homeowners looking for DIY pest control solutions often ask if baking soda for pest control will help get rid of pests. There are lots of posts on social media, blogs and other places touting baking soda as a safe and non-toxic alternative pest control solution. It’s also cheap and available at every supermarket.
What Is Baking Soda?
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a white crystalline salt that combines sodium cation and bicarbonate anion. You can pick up a box in most stores for as little as $1. It’s used for cleaning, eliminating odors in refrigerators, cooking, and even to raise the alkalinity in swimming pools.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lists baking soda as a fungicide because it can help get rid of fungal diseases when applied to plants.
Can You Use Baking Soda For Pest Control?
Baking soda is often used as an alternative pest control solution for pests such as cockroaches, bed bugs or ants. But the reality is that baking soda for pest control is not effective. Baking soda does not dehydrate insects or cut them despite claims to the contrary.
Non-Baking Soda Alternative Pest Control Solutions
One of the best alternative pest control solutions is cleaning. Your favorite cleaning product will do a good job eliminating food sources and pheromone trails that can attract pests to your home. While pests such as ants or mice may continue to scout for food unless all gaps are sealed, removing food that attracts them will give them few reasons to stick around.
Unlike baking soda for pest control, diatomaceous earth (DE) is a great alternative pest control solution for many pest issues when used properly. Don’t overdo it. A little DE goes a long way and only a faint puff of dust should be used. Apply DE in areas where children and pets will not be exposed or have access.
Essential oils have been found to help deter pests in some cases, but their effectiveness is limited. You would have to apply an enormous amount of essential oil to really have much effect. Using that much essential oils would create a really strong smell that might also make you want to leave home!
The problem with many of these alternative pest control solutions is that they provide a false sense of security. Many homeowners think these products are helping to eliminate or deter pests when the pest problem is really getting worse.
Better Alternatives To Baking Soda For Pest Control
A professional pest control company such as My Pest Pros can help solve and prevent your pest control problems much quicker and more effectively than DIY pest control solutions. A trained pest control technician will save you time, money, and frustration. They have the best knowledge about pests and use EPA-approved products that are effective for getting rid of pests.
Best Northern Virginia Pest Control
My Pest Pros is a family-owned, local pest control company that knows and understands the pests in your Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. communities. Our licensed and experienced pest control technicians have been protecting families and businesses like yours. Call us at 703-665-4455 to learn more about Virginia pest control services.