Everyone battling persistent bed bugs always tries to find different solutions to eliminate them. This is why so many people are wondering if baking soda kills bed bugs and if you can use it to end the infestation.
The answer might surprise you considering there are many claims that baking soda is an efficient bed bug killer and some sources don’t support this method. So, what’s the truth?
Join us as we discover the hidden properties of baking soda and if it’s the most natural way to eliminate bed bugs or if you should look into other tools and eco-friendly traps.
Does Baking Soda Kill Bed Bugs and Their Eggs?
Baking soda can be a useful tool against bed bugs, but its efficiency is questionable.
Some people claim that baking soda can kill bed bugs in different ways, because of its strong absorption and rough crystals. The idea is that baking soda will either dry out the exoskeleton of the bed bugs, just like Diatomaceous Earth powder or the crystals will penetrate the bugs from within when ingested.
While we can agree that baking soda has some amazing properties and it’s great for cleaning, it’s not proven to be the best method against bed bugs. Even though the idea is good and there are a few ways you can use baking soda to manage bed bugs it’s not going to eliminate all of them.
Why?
The exoskeleton of bed bugs might look fragile and small but in reality, these pests are very resilient and persistent. The baking soda will absorb most liquids but it’s not strong enough to harm all the bugs and eggs, especially if you are dealing with a bigger infestation.
On the other hand, the baking soda crystals might look rough but the powder is too fine to cause any damage passively, and it’s not likely that bed bugs will eat the baking soda as they need human blood to survive.
Does Baking Soda Kill Bed Bugs Instantly?
Baking soda doesn’t kill bed bugs instantly.
Even if you manage to eliminate a few bugs with baking soda it will take some time and the results are not instant. If you count on drying out the bed bugs and dehydrating them to death it can take a couple of days.
However, people use baking soda because:
- It’s affordable and easy to purchase
- It’s not harmful to humans or pets
- There are no toxins and pesticides in it
One more thing to consider when using baking soda for bed bugs is the additional mess you will create with the powder and the waiting period you need to endure. All in all, there are far more efficient ways to deal with a bed bug infestation.
How to Use Baking Soda to Kill Bed Bugs?
In case you want to try using baking soda for bed bugs, two main methods claim to give the best results. Keep in mind that this might be the number one myth when it comes to bed bug remedies, but it can’t hurt to give it a go.
Here is what you can do with baking soda:
Make a paste
Baking soda mixed with water is one of the most popular DIY remedies for bed bugs.
All you need for this method is baking soda and enough water to make a paste, then apply the mixture to the affected areas and wait for a few days.
This mixture will dry out and supposedly kill bed bugs, and all you need to do is vacuum the powder. But, if you notice the infestation is not gone make sure to try other tools to fight bed bugs.
Sprinkle baking soda
Some people claim that sprinkling the baking soda in a thick layer can kill bed bugs in a couple of days. This should either dry out the exoskeleton of bed bugs or represent a barrier they can’t cross.
But, if you want to have an efficient barrier the best way is to place interceptor traps under the bed legs. These traps will capture all the bugs that try to climb into your bed simply because the smooth surface of the interceptor traps won’t let them escape.
Alternative and Efficient Ways to Eliminate Bed Bugs
While there is no harm in trying a few DIY methods to eliminate bed bugs, including baking soda, you need to be careful. Bed bugs lay several eggs every day, so you can have a severe infestation in no time if you don’t react immediately. In some cases, the best decision you can make is to contact professionals.
Because bed bugs are resilient and persistent we’ll mention a few alternatives to baking soda vs bed bugs:
Bed Bug Traps
As mentioned before, effective and versatile bed bug traps are your best friends. These traps are designed to capture all the bugs that are hiding around and in your bed. They are not only effective with bed bug elimination but also serve as amazing monitoring tools.
There are two types of high-efficiency traps for bed bugs:
Bed bug glue traps contain a durable and high-quality adhesive that you can place between your mattress and the bed frame, or even on the floor to capture all the bed bugs that might be crawling around.
Glue traps are very efficient and don’t contain any pesticides or toxins, so you can rest easy knowing all the bugs are captured and your family is safe from harsh chemicals.
Interceptor traps work on simple premises that bed bugs are terrible climbers. Once they get into the interceptor trap they will not come out, because the inner surface is too smooth to climb.
In addition, these traps are sturdy and reusable so you can have them under each bed until the infestation is over.
Cleaning Supplies
It’s common knowledge that you need a good cleaning spree if you want to end bed bug infestation. And while vacuuming and dusting baking soda might help you should consider adding a specialized Laundry Additive that kills all bed bugs into every washing cycle.
It’s also a good idea to spray down all surfaces with the bed bug-killing spray once you are done with the cleaning. This way you will kill all the bugs and the eggs in one go and ensure the best results.
Diatomaceous Earth Powder
Even though many people claim that baking soda kills bed bugs, the only efficient powder you should use is the Diatomaceous Earth (DE) powder. This natural and non-toxic solution will dry out and kill all the bed bugs and other crawlers you might have in your home including silverfish and cockroaches.
Considering bed bugs are small and very flat they can hide in all the crevices in your walls and floors, so use a DE powder duster with a long nozzle. This feature will allow you to reach all the hiding places and limit the mess you make with the application.
Protective Sheets and Pillowcases
Once you are sure the infestation has ended and your interceptor traps are empty you should get some protective covers for your mattress and pillows.
Bed bugs are one of the most common pests in the U.S. and re-infestation can happen from a single female specimen left behind, so by protecting your bed and pillows you will always be one step ahead of the pesky invaders.
So, Can Baking Soda Kill Bed Bugs?
Baking soda might sound cheap and efficient, but it’s not the best way to deal with bed bugs. The ideas behind baking soda sound persuasive but the reality is slightly different. You can kill a few bugs and deodorize your bed and furniture, however, most of the bed bugs will survive.
This is why we recommend tried and tested tools to combat bed bugs once and for all. Keep in mind that in case you have a severe infestation the best thing you can do is contact the professionals and rely on their expertise to handle the pests.
