Does Baking Soda Kill Ants?

It’s frustrating to have uninvited ants scurry around your house, indoors or outdoors, and getting rid of them is next to impossible.

That said, there are several methods for eradicating these pests, but it shouldn’t be surprising to learn that baking soda can be the answer to your ant problem.

Baking soda is one of the most common household cleaning products and can also do wonders as an insect repellent.

If you're wondering, "Does baking soda kill ants?", the answer is yes!

Baking soda is one of the most effective ways to eliminate ants from your home or workplace.

Let’s explore how baking soda is an effective ant repellent and what are some of the proper ways to use it to kill ants.

How Baking Soda Works

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is mainly known by most people as an essential ingredient in baked edible items.

However, it is a component you'll find in many household products, such as detergents and cleaners.

It’s an odorless natural abrasive which can effectively remove dirt from surfaces.

It also has antimicrobial properties that make it an effective cleaner for hard surfaces such as floors and countertops.

But what is baking soda exactly? Based on its scientific name, it’s a compound made up of sodium and carbonic acid.

These two elements react when combined with moisture to create carbon dioxide gas, which can kill ants and other insects.

In fact, they even die more quickly when exposed to the said gas than when they lack an oxygen supply.

Also, some professionals use it on ant mounds to kill worker ants, larvae, and even the queen.

Reminders Before Using Baking Soda for Ants Infestation

Now that you know the answer to "Does baking soda kill ants?", here are some essential things to keep in mind before using baking soda to get rid of ants in your home:

Inspect Your Home

First, ensure your house or building has no structural issues that could get damaged if you sprinkle baking soda on the floor or walls.

The most common ones are cracks in the foundation and old wallpaper.

Keep It Away From Pets and Children

Baking soda is not toxic to humans or pets, so you can safely leave it around the house.

However, make sure kids and pets aren’t consuming it.

Accidental consumption of raw or concentrated baking soda can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. If untreated, it can increase the body's sodium levels, causing more severe health issues.

How to Use Baking Soda to Kill Ants

Now that you know the top precautionary measures when using baking soda, here are several ways to use it to kill ants, namely:

Baking Soda With Powdered Sugar

What better way to bait ants than with sugar, right?

However, ants are clever creatures, so you need to use sugar with the same texture and size as baking soda.

Hence, in a cup, combine baking soda and powdered sugar in a 1:1 ratio.

The amount of mixture you need to create will vary depending on the severity of your ant problem.

But one cup will be more than plenty for the typical ant colony.

Locate where ants are abundant or where ants commonly hide.

If the infestation is expanding through your property's wall cracks, paste the mixture on the cracks and around its entrance.

If you were able to locate the ants’ colony, sprinkle the mixture on top of it and around it.

With the sugar present, the ants will consume it

Check after a few days if the ants are still present.

If the locations you had identified were correct, block them, so they do not have a way to back through them.

If it doesn’t work, just repeat the process using more of the mixture.

Save any extra mixture in a container for later use.

Baking Soda With Water

Another effective solution to your ant problem is a mixture of ½ cup of baking soda and ½ gallon of water.

Place it in a spray bottle, and spray the mixture on the ant’s trail so the ant cannot follow it back to its nest.

Plastic Bag and Baking Soda

If you don't like mixing ingredients or find it messy, this is one of your best options.

Leave a plastic bag with bait, preferably something sweet.

Once you see ants inside the bag, place ¼ cup of baking soda and tie it.

The ants will be unable to escape once inside this bag and eventually die from starvation or dehydration if they cannot find any food sources outside their colony.

Baking Soda and Lighter

For this solution, sprinkle ½ teaspoon of baking soda onto the ant colony and light the baking soda with a match or cigarette lighter.

This method is particularly effective because it causes instant death without leaving behind any visible bodies for other insects to feast upon.

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

Baking soda is a great way to kill ants, but the time it takes for baking soda to kill an ant depends on the size of the ant and how much damage it has done to its colony.

It can take as little as two minutes to deal with tiny ants and a few days to kill a colony.

It goes without saying that baking soda does not kill ants instantly, but it is a very effective long-term ant killer.

If ants have established a presence in your home, it’s best to be persistent and use baking soda as part of an ongoing ant control program rather than waiting for the desired result after just one application.

Does Baking Soda Kill Ants: In Conclusion 

Ants are pesky little critters and can be a pain when trying to keep your house clean.

Baking soda is undoubtedly one of the most effective ways to keep them away from your food and infest your home.

When used correctly and consistently, household-grade baking soda can help end your ant problems without resorting to pesticides or other harsh chemicals.

In some instances, baking soda might not be enough. You may need to opt for a different control method, like an exterminator or a professional pest control company.

It’s also essential to immediately clean up any food spills, so there aren’t more places for the ants to attack.