Does Baking Soda Kill Ants?

There are many “hacks” and home remedies for getting rid of ants that have popped up over the decades. Baking soda reigns as the all-purpose home product that many people still used to keep ants and other insects out of their homes. But does baking soda kill ants or keep them away?

Here is everything you need to know about baking soda and keeping your house free of ants and other insects this summer.

Does baking soda kill ants?

Baking soda only kills ants when they ingest it – will quickly kill them within a few minutes if they do consume it. The tricky part is that ants instinctually know to stay away from baking soda, so it’s difficult to put it somewhere where they will ingest if they are already in your house.

If you can locate their nest, sprinkle a decent amount over it, and they might ingest it. But this is not a quick way to get rid of your ant problem, especially if they are already in your house. If you don’t have an ant problem yet, baking soda may prevent ants from coming into your home by sprinkling it around entry points. However, it is not a great way to get rid of them when they have already infested it.

Other ways to get rid of ants aside from baking soda

The most effective way to get rid of an ant infestation is to call a trusted exterminator or pest control professional, but there are other ways to help to get rid of them that don’t involve using harmful chemicals. This may help keep ants at bay until your exterminator can get to you.

Keep your home clean
The most basic way to keep ants and other insects away and out of your home is to simply keep all surfaces of your home clean, especially your kitchen. It’s important to sweep and mop your floors often, making sure there are no crumbs or debris left behind. You should also keep counters and cabinets clean, checking for food and crumbs that are left behind in areas that are easy for ants to reach.

Glass cleaner and liquid dish detergent
Ants work together to build nests and lead each other to them by leaving behind a pheromone other ants can follow. To lower the chance of more ants finding their way into your home, clean your floor and surfaces with glass cleaner or liquid dish detergent to remove the scent.

Tea tree or peppermint oil
Peppermint and tea tree oil are natural insect repellants. It will repel most insects like ants and mosquitos. This is a simple remedy, but it is not ideal if you have pets, as peppermint can cause cats and dogs to get sick if ingested.

Boiling water
This is only effective if you can find the ant holes around your home. Simply boil water and pour it into the hole or holes to kill the ants. However, this will not kill an entire colony. Make sure you find every single hole that could be in and around your home – this is not as easy as it might sound, so you may need to call in professionals to totally eradicate the problem.

Call pest control
The safest and most effective way to take care of any infestation, including an ant problem, is to call professional pest control services. These teams know the best methods to get rid of ants and can offer solutions to keep them away from your home long-term. They will also know what is safest for your family, especially if you have small children or pets to consider.

Take care of your ant problem with the best in West Michigan

If your ant or insect problem has escalated into an infestation, it’s time to call the best there is in West Michigan. Van Den Berge Pest Control has been voted the best of West Michigan Pest Control companies for eight consecutive years. We offer a 100% no-risk guarantee for pests of all kinds, whether it’s ants, mice, roaches, or other animals and bugs. Our solutions are sure to be effective and safe for your entire family – human or animal!