As the weather warms up and the fruits are gently harvested from our lush vegetable plants, we notice that the ants like to slip into our homes “unnoticed” in search of an easy, fresh meal.
They know we’re doing all of the hard work, and that our counters are the perfect place to find a reliable source of food and water. Or the occasional treat, such as freshly baked cookies. That’s like winning the tiny ant lottery.
Getting rid of them can be really hard, especially during the height of spring and fall; when they are at their hungriest. Some people like to go beyond these non-toxic, child and pet safe ant-icides, and make their own repellents or poisons. Among the many at-home solutions and natural remedies, let’s see what kind of damage baking soda can do!
The Baking Soda & Ant Theory
Baking soda is believed to cause ants to explode; or, at least, that’s the popular theory. The baking soda is to be mixed with sugar and placed in a bait station (fancy word for a bottle cap).
The bait is then placed wherever the ants are most frequently seen. The ants will come along and ingest the baking soda, at which point the theory goes two different ways:
- One group will tell you that the ants contain acid within their digestive tract. Therefore, the baking soda will cause the ant to explode. The reaction might be compared to vinegar and baking soda, much like a middle school volcano project.
- The next group will tell you that you won’t notice any deaths; just a drop in visiting ants until they disappear. They say that the ants will carry the bait back to the nest, and that it will kill the entire colony of ants.
Can Baking Soda Kill Ants?
From the research I’ve conducted, unfortunately it seems that baking soda will not work to kill ants. As much as we love our natural methods of pest repellent and poisons, we hate to tell you that this is not one of them. I do still use liquid ant baits, simply because we seem to encounter massive amounts of them around and in our home. One bait will last the entire spring and summer, and we do not have to worry about keeping up with them. Baking soda may be a component of a successful baiting system, but it will not kill them on its own; nor will it have a significant impact on the ants, even as part of a mixture. However, it could be used to help mask some odor associated with the ants or the bait in a homemade formula.
Are There Other Natural Remedies for Repelling and Getting Rid of Ants?
Absolutely! While we choose to go with small bait stations that are up and away from pets and children, there are many, many DIY alternatives that are safe to use. Keep in mind that these natural remedies may require frequent applications, so do not assume that they “don’t work” when the ants come back within a week. I included a link to one homemade formula below. I have trouble keeping up with reapplying, hence my decision for the traditional bait. Since I do not want to pour chemicals onto my yard to control the ant populations at their source, I simply keep them out of the home.
Ants actually provide a few great benefits for us gardeners, as they help to aerate the soil and bring organic matter into it. They are also a food source for several different types of animals, many of which also eat harmful pests. Therefore, there is a food supply to keep them around between waves of pests. As the ants bring dead insects, plant matter, and food into their colonies, they are essentially fertilizing the soil for your garden. The aeration of the soil is one of the most important benefits in my opinion, as I have heavy clay soil. Many plants do not enjoy the compacted clay on their roots, which is where the wonderful ants come into play. This is why I strongly discourage treating the yard, aside from the many other issues that those poisons will cause for your yard and family.
Whats Your Thoughts on Tradational Pest Control Vs Eco Friendly
I’m more in favor of safer pest control; traditional pest control doesn’t typically fit the bill. However, some situations warrant reaching for the potent chemicals, as much as we don’t like to reach for them. We exhaust every other natural avenue first.