9 Common Pests You Can Deter With Baking Soda

Baking soda is often used as a cleaning agent, whether for rinsing fruit, making a cleaning paste, or absorbing odors in the refrigerator. Less commonly known, though, is that it may also act as a repellant for a number of pests you find in and around the home. 

Ahead, our experts break down which pests you can target with baking soda, exactly how to implement this repellent, and its limitations. 

Baking Soda Pest Prevention

When it comes to repelling pests, baking soda may be considered a mild deterrent to the following common household pests:

• Cockroaches
• Ants
• Silverfish
• Fleas
• Fungus gnats
• Spiders
• Beetles
• Slugs
• Snails

Though the ingredient can be effective in deterring the critters above, understand that baking soda is not a quick cure-all. "Keep in mind that it's mostly a minor DIY option, never really a full solution," says licensed pest control operator Sean Hearn. "In most cases, I’ve seen where pest activity is high, a more comprehensive approach is required to tackle the problem." Bob, Gilbert, a board-certified entomologist, agrees, saying, “Far better options exist for DIY solutions such as diatomaceous earth powder, boric acid baits, and commercially available natural choice pesticides.” He adds, “A very thin dusting of diatomaceous earth will yield far better results, especially in dry climates.” 

How to Use Baking Soda to Deter Pests

If you still want to try using baking soda as a pest deterrent, follow our experts' guidelines below.

• Focus on Entry Points: Baking soda can be used indoors as a deterrent at entry points, such as windowsills, door thresholds, and dark areas like under sinks, says Jeff Schumacher, owner of All-Safe Pest & Termite.
• Wipe Out Ant Trails: Most people don’t place it outdoors, but it can help temporarily wipe out any ant trails coming into the home, says Hearn. (But rain and humidity usually wipe it out pretty quickly.)
• Address Flea Infestations: If you ever have a flea infestation, sprinkle baking soda generously on carpets and rugs, leave it for several hours or even overnight, then vacuum it up. Repeat the process weekly, says Schumacher.
• Sprinkle in Garden Beds: Outside, sprinkle baking soda around the perimeter of a garden bed to keep slugs away. “The only downside is that you have to reapply frequently, and it's useless in rainy weather," Schumacher says. 
• Use Sweet Bait: For cockroaches specifically, mix baking soda and sugar together. This works as natural bait and will kill the cockroaches,” Schumacher explains.
• Enhance Its Effectiveness: Baking soda, when mixed with strong-smelling essential oils—such as cloves or rosemary—may deter pests, says Gilbert. “The oil acts as the deterrent while the baking soda absorbs the oil and acts as a slow-release base, extending the life of the essential oil,” he explains.

Where Baking Soda Falls Short

No amount of bait or deterrent will keep bugs away forever if you don't address what is attracting them in the first place, Schumacher says. "But as long as you are pairing baking soda treatments with sanitation, physical barriers, and other targeted treatments, it can be effective." 

Also, make sure you are using it correctly for the pest you are targeting. "For cockroaches, mix baking soda with sugar to use as a bait," Schumacher says. "For biting or crawling insects, baking soda can be used as a barrier." 

Baking soda isn’t a solution for every insect. "It doesn't work against termites, large ant colonies, or wasps, for example," says Schumacher. "If an infestation persists for more than two or three weeks despite consistent DIY treatment, it's best to call in a professional."