Does Baking Soda Kill Bed Bugs?
To put it simply, no. Baking soda does not kill bed bugs.
Why does this myth persist? That’s a good question. People will go to any lengths to get rid of bed bugs and other pests. If they can find a way to do it with all-natural products, all the better, right?
Baking soda can be used in certain specific pest control applications, but killing bed bugs is not one of them.
Still, many people will try to use baking soda to get rid of these bed bugs. Let’s explore what baking soda actually does, and why that urband legend still gets told today.
No, You Can't Kill Bed Bugs by Sprinkling It Around in a Few Places
You might see articles online offering meticulous instructions on how to kill bed bugs with baking soda, and they look like this:
- Sprinkle baking soda around the areas that bed bugs typically inhabit, such as the mattress and the area around your bed.
- A few days later, vacuum it up and repeat the process.
Trust us, if this is your bed bug control strategy, you’ll be vacuuming up baking soda and repeating the process for quite a while.
Why Do People Think Baking Soda Kills Bed Bugs?
Baking soda can be effectively used to control some types of pests, like slugs in your garden, for example. Baking soda works by dehydrating insects, essentially forcing enough moisture out of them that they can’t survive.
By this same principle, baking soda can kill bed bugs, especially if they ingest it, but it won’t kill them effectively. In other words, you may notice a few dead bed bugs after you use baking soda, but you won’t be killing them quickly enough to outpace how fast they’re reproducing.
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Do DIY Remedies Ever Work to Kill Bed Bugs?
In addition to baking soda, questionable online sources also like to tout the success of a variety of other DIY bed bug control methods. These include talcum powder, moth balls, tea tree oil, diatomaceous earth, and even ultrasonic devices. Just like baking soda, while they might kill a few bed bugs, they don’t really work to control a bed bug infestation. And never under any circumstances try rubbing alcohol, kerosene, or gasoline to eliminate bed bugs.
What Are Some Better DIY Bed Bug Control Solutions?
There are some things you can do that will work – just be aware that it can take months to be successful. Here are some DIY methods we recommend:
- Sealing cracks and hiding places – Controlling bed bugs is much harder when they can retreat into the walls, out of sight. Seal any potential bed bug hiding spots with caulk, drawing them into the open.
- Mattress covers – Disposable mattress covers fit over your mattress and trap bed bugs inside. They’ll soon die, at which point you remove the mattress cover and dispose of it outside, vacuum the mattress thoroughly, and repeat the process.
- EPA-registered bed bug control products – These can be effective if used properly and combined with other measures. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly and make sure products don’t come in contact with people or animals.
Why Do People Want to Try DIY Bed Bug Remedies?
Much of it comes down to cost. Finances tight for many families, and they see it as an opportunity to save some money, not realizing how challenging bed bug control really is.
People also think they can take care of the problem in an eco-friendly way, but bed bugs are highly resilient insects. All-natural products typically aren’t strong enough to kill them on a scale needed to stop an infestation.
What’s the Best Way to Get Rid of Bed Bugs?
If you need to get rid of bed bugs quickly, by far the best way is to call a professional bed bug exterminator. A bed bug control company will have access to the most effective treatments, and they’ll be administered by individuals who have been trained in how.
Baking Soda & Bed Bugs
Even if you have a bit of success killing one or two bed bugs with baking soda, it won’t be enough to kill off an entire infestation. Without professional bed bug treatment, it can be extremely hard to kill all bed bugs from your home. The last thing you want is lingering bed bugs, which is why it’s recommended to use a professional bed bug control company to get rid of an infestation for you.