Does Baking Soda Kill Roaches?

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Baking soda is an essential component in many gardening DIY hacks, such as testing soil PH, cleaning pots and bird baths, and killing bugs. You may have heard people attest that baking soda is an effective roach killer and wonder if that’s true.

This post provides answers to things to know about baking soda as a cockroach killer. Baking soda is readily available, environmentally friendly, and cheap, so if it can help you get rid of those disgusting roaches and keep your home tidy and bug-free, then it is worth it.

In that case, let’s find out whether baking soda is an effective roach killer.

Does Baking Soda Kill Roaches?

 

Yes, baking soda kills roaches but they must eat enough to die. Unfortunately, getting roaches to eat baking soda isn’t easy since they find its smell and taste unpleasant.

Therefore, while baking soda can kill roaches, it is not the most effective method since it relies on the cockroaches consuming it.

In addition, it is a demanding, labor-intensive, and extremely slow hack. Moreover, you typically need multiple treatments for it to be effective.

Also Read:

• Does Lysol Kill Roaches Instantly
• Does Borax Kill Roaches?

How Does Baking Soda Kill Cockroaches

Insecticides target the nervous system of insects, including cockroaches, by disrupting the nerve impulses transmission within the insect’s body, leading to paralysis and death. However, baking soda operates differently.

a) They Succumb from Increased Pressure

When roaches consume baking soda, the sodium bicarbonate reacts with the hydrochloric acid in the roach’s stomach, producing carbon dioxide gas.

The carbon dioxide gas accumulates in the roach’s stomach, increasing the pressure within the digestive system. This increase in pressure can cause discomfort and bloating in the cockroach, leading to dehydration and death.

Additionally, the carbon dioxide gas accumulation in the roach’s digestive system can interfere with its ability to regulate its internal pH. This can further disrupt its digestive processes and contribute to its demise.

b) The Baking Soda Disrupts and Dissolves the Roaches’ Exoskeleton

A cockroach’s exoskeleton is hard and protective, protecting the insect from external threats like predators and supporting its body. However, it has some weaknesses that make roaches vulnerable to damage.

For instance, the exoskeleton is vulnerable to dehydration, so it can quickly weaken if the roach doesn’t have access to sufficient water. In addition, abrasive materials such as diatomaceous earth or baking soda or other external factors like impacts or crushing forces can damage the exoskeleton.

Moreover, the roach exoskeleton is vulnerable to chemicals like insecticides. Therefore, the carbon dioxide produced when the cockroach consumes baking soda pushes against its rigid, hard exoskeleton, crushing the roach’s organs.

Additionally, the exoskeleton eventually cracks as the gas continues heating up and expanding.

Also Read: Homemade cockroach killer

c) Baking Soda Makes Roaches Vulnerable to Predators

Even if a cockroach doesn’t succumb to the baking soda, the damage caused by this substance to its nervous system and organs makes the roach lose its balance. This, in turn, makes it topple over and stay there until a predator eats it, a micro-organism kills it, or it dies from starvation.

Also Read: How To Get Rid of Roaches In Car

How Fast Does Baking Soda Kill Roaches?

Baking soda isn’t an instant roach killer, so the cockroaches will take a while to die. The roaches will die 12 to 24 hours after consuming baking soda or even days.

Baking soda’s effectiveness in killing roaches is influenced by multiple factors, like the roach population size, the accessibility of the baking soda to the cockroaches, and the roaches’ ability to find alternative food and water sources.

In addition, the amount of baking soda consumed, when the roach drinks water, and how dehydrated the cockroaches also affect the baking soda’s effectiveness.

How To Use Baking Soda For Killing Cockroaches

 

Follow these steps to eliminate cockroaches with baking soda.

1. Identify The Areas Infested By Roaches

Cockroaches are often found in multiple parts of a home, especially in warm and humid spots and areas with food and water. You will discover roaches mostly in kitchens, bathrooms, crawl spaces, garages, basements, sheds, upholstery, furniture, electrical outlets, trash cans, appliances, and recycling bins.

The signs of roach activity include droppings, egg casings, or dead roaches.

Also Read: Do dead cockroaches attract other cockroaches

2. Mix Baking Soda With Sugar

In a shallow dish, combine equal quantities of baking soda and sugar, using baking soda to kill the cockroaches and the sugar to attract them. Since sweet food such as sugar attracts cockroaches, the sugar in this mixture will lure them to the baking soda.

By combining baking soda and sugar, you can make a bait attractive to roaches and effective in killing them.

3. Place the Baking Soda and Sugar Mixture in the Places You Identified Earlier

Once you finish making the mixture, strategically position it where roaches live or visit. Make sure the cockroaches can easily access it.

You can also place a container with water next to the baking soda to increase the treatment’s effectiveness, but this is optional. The idea is that the roaches will be attracted to the water and consume more of the baking soda mixture. The water may also help to dilute the baking soda, making it easier for the roaches to ingest.

However, it’s worth noting that the water may reduce the baking soda’s effectiveness by neutralizing the acid in the roach’s stomach, which is necessary for the baking soda to work.

4. Monitor The Mixture

Regularly check whether the roaches have consumed the baking soda and sugar mixture. Remember that this treatment isn’t an instant killer, so it may take a while to be effective.

5. Repeat The Process

Apply the treatment until you no longer see roach activity.

Caution

Baking soda can be harmful if pets or small children ingest large amounts, so make sure to keep it out of reach and use caution when handling it. Also, note that while baking soda can effectively control roaches, it may not be enough to eliminate a large or persistent infestation.

 

Summary

While cockroaches can die from consuming baking soda, this isn’t the most effective roach killer, especially when dealing with large populations. Luckily, other more effective solutions exist, like baits, insecticide sprays, traps, and professional extermination.

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