Does Baking Soda Kill Bed Bugs?

There is no hard evidence that baking soda kills bed bugs, although it is said to dehydrate them. While this could work as a temporary solution, it’s rarely effective enough to eliminate an entire infestation.

Still, people often try to use baking soda to get rid of these parasitic insects. The treatment is said to work in these ways:

Sprinkle baking soda around the places that you’ve found bed bugs, such as your mattress and its surrounding area.
After a few days, vacuum it away and repeat.
You might see temporary success, but it is not a guaranteed method to get rid of bed bugs entirely.

What Does Baking Soda Do to Bed Bugs?

As mentioned previously, there is no hard evidence that baking soda is a reliable method to get rid of bed bugs. The idea behind using baking soda as a method of extermination is that it breaks down when mixed with water. This means that it should absorb the thick fluids found on a bed bug shell, causing them to dehydrate. The small granules of baking soda are also said to cut into bed bug shells and cause internal bleeding. Even if this works to eliminate a portion of the population, it will not stop an entire bed bug infestation.

At-Home Bed Bug Remedies

You’ll be able to find many other home treatments for bed bugs on the internet, but how can you tell which ones actually work? Although all might have a shot at killing off some bed bugs, they typically won’t work to eliminate the whole infestation. Some of these remedies include talcum powder, moth balls, tea tree oil, rubbing alcohol, diatomaceous earth, and even ultrasonic equipment. These solutions rarely do the job all on their own.

Why Baking Soda Won’t Get Rid of Bed Bugs

If you think you’ve been successful using the above methods, your house may not be rid of bed bugs just yet. Without professional bed bug treatment, it can be extremely hard to remove a bed bug population in its entirety. The last thing you want is lingering bed bugs, so we recommend that you hire a pest control company to handle the infestation so you don’t have to.

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