Does Baking Soda Kill Roaches? (The Truth About This DIY Remedy)

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Does Baking Soda Kill Roaches? (What Really Works)

👉 Get the complete step-by-step DIY plan at HowToGetRidOfBugs.guide — learn exactly which products to use, where to apply them, and how to keep roaches out for good.

Short Answer: Yes, But Only to a Point

Baking soda can kill roaches, but it’s not a miracle cure. When roaches eat baking soda, it reacts with the acids in their stomachs and produces gas. Since roaches can’t burp or release that gas, it builds up internally — eventually rupturing their digestive system and killing them.

However, the key word is when they eat it. Roaches don’t naturally seek out baking soda, so it must be mixed with an attractant like sugar or another food source. Even then, baking soda only kills the roaches that directly consume it — not the rest hiding inside walls, cabinets, or behind appliances.

How Baking Soda Works Against Roaches

Here’s what happens step by step:

  1. Roaches are attracted to a mixture of baking soda and sugar.

  2. They consume the mixture, mistaking it for food.

  3. Inside the roach’s stomach, the chemical reaction creates carbon dioxide gas.

  4. Because roaches can’t expel gas, pressure builds and causes internal damage, leading to death.

While this sounds like an easy DIY solution, it has major limitations — mainly, roaches must eat enough of it to die, and colonies are often too large or hidden for this to happen effectively.

How to Use Baking Soda to Kill Roaches

If you want to try this natural method, follow these safe and simple steps:

You’ll need:

  • 1 part baking soda

  • 1 part sugar (to attract them)

  • Shallow dish or small bottle caps

Directions:

  1. Mix equal parts baking soda and sugar in a small container.

  2. Place small piles of the mixture in roach activity areas:

    • Under the sink

    • Behind the refrigerator or stove

    • Inside cabinet corners

    • Near trash cans

  3. Replace the mix every few days to keep it fresh and effective.

You can also sprinkle the mixture lightly along baseboards, but avoid overusing — large piles may repel roaches instead of attracting them.

Where Baking Soda Works Best

  • For light infestations or as a preventive measure.

  • In kitchens, bathrooms, or garages where you’ve seen occasional roach activity.

  • Alongside professional products to supplement treatment.

If you’re dealing with heavy infestations (seeing multiple roaches daily, finding egg cases, or spotting them during the day), baking soda alone won’t solve the problem.

Limitations of Baking Soda for Roach Control

While safe and inexpensive, baking soda has some serious drawbacks:

  • Roaches must eat it — and some species may avoid it.

  • It doesn’t kill eggs or nymphs.

  • No residual protection — once it’s gone, it stops working.

  • Doesn’t reach hidden nests or wall voids.

It’s best used as part of an integrated approach, not as a standalone treatment.

Safer and More Effective Alternatives

1. Bait Gels

Professional baits like Advion Evolution Gel Bait, Vendetta Roach Gel Bait, or Maxforce FC attract roaches far more effectively than sugar mixtures. Roaches feed, return to their nest, and spread the poison through contact and droppings — killing the entire colony.

2. IGRs (Insect Growth Regulators)

Products such as Gentrol Point Source or Tekko Pro IGR Concentrate prevent baby roaches from growing and reproducing. Over several weeks, they collapse the population cycle completely.

You can also mix an IGR like NyGuard IGR Concentrate with sprays for wider coverage.

3. Non-Repellent Sprays

Use Bifenthrin, Alpine WSG, or Temprid FX to treat cracks, baseboards, and wall edges.
These sprays are undetectable to roaches — allowing them to walk through and transfer the active ingredient to others.

4. Diatomaceous Earth or Boric Acid

These dusts destroy roaches by damaging their exoskeleton or digestive system. They offer long-lasting control when kept dry and can be applied behind appliances and wall voids where baits can’t reach.

Is Baking Soda Safe to Use Around Pets and Kids?

Yes, baking soda is generally safe when used properly. It’s non-toxic to humans and pets in small quantities, unlike most chemical insecticides. Still:

  • Keep mixtures out of reach of children.

  • Avoid overusing in food prep areas.

  • Store any unused mix in sealed containers to prevent contamination.

How Long Does It Take for Baking Soda to Kill Roaches?

It can take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours for roaches to die after ingesting baking soda.
But remember — only the ones that actually consume it will be affected. Without consistent baiting or product rotation, new roaches will quickly take their place.

Final Thoughts

So, does baking soda kill roaches?
Yes — but only if they eat it. It’s a simple, affordable DIY method that can help with small infestations, but it won’t eliminate a serious roach problem.

For fast, long-term results, use a combination of bait gels, IGRs, non-repellent sprays, and dusts.
This multi-step approach targets every stage of the infestation — from eggs to adults.

Get the complete step-by-step DIY plan at HowToGetRidOfBugs.guide — learn exactly which products to use, where to apply them, and how to keep roaches out for good.

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