The Right Way to Use Baking Soda to Keep Rats Away from Your Home

Dealing with rats in the home is every homeowner’s nightmare. These pesky creatures can cause a lot of damage, from gnawing on wires and insulation to contaminating food and spreading diseases. While there are many commercial products designed to deal with rodent infestations, many people prefer natural solutions. One such option is baking soda, a household staple that not only serves as a cleaning agent but can also be an effective, eco-friendly way to keep rats away.

But how does baking soda work, and what’s the right way to use it to deal with a rat problem? In this article, we’ll dive into the science behind baking soda as a natural rodent repellent and provide practical tips on how to use it effectively in your home.

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Why Use Baking Soda to Keep Rats Away?

Baking soda (or sodium bicarbonate) has a wide range of uses around the home, from cleaning to deodorizing, and surprisingly, it can also be an effective deterrent for rats. While it may not kill rats outright, its properties can make the environment unappealing to them, encouraging them to leave the area.

Here’s how baking soda works as a rat repellent:

1. Aversive Odor: Rats have a very sensitive sense of smell, and they tend to avoid strong or unpleasant odors. Baking soda, while not particularly strong, has a subtle, harsh scent that rats dislike.
2. Induces Gas: The main way baking soda works against rats is when they ingest it. When rats eat or chew on substances that contain baking soda, it reacts with their stomach acids and produces gas. Since rats can’t burp or pass gas like humans, this leads to bloating, discomfort, and often death. This is why baking soda is sometimes used in homemade rat poison recipes.
3. Non-Toxic to Humans and Pets: One of the biggest advantages of using baking soda over traditional rodent poisons is that it’s safe for humans and pets when used properly. Unlike chemical poisons, which can be harmful to children and animals, baking soda is non-toxic and can be safely used around the house without worrying about accidental ingestion.

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How to Use Baking Soda to Keep Rats Away

While baking soda can be effective for deterring rats, it’s important to know how to use it properly. Here are some methods for incorporating baking soda into your strategy for keeping rats out of your home:

1. Baking Soda and Sugar Bait Trap

One of the most common methods is to create a bait trap using a mixture of baking soda and sugar. Rats are attracted to sugary foods, so when mixed with baking soda, the sugar acts as a lure, while the baking soda can make the rats uncomfortable if they ingest it.

What You Need:

• 1 part baking soda
• 1 part sugar (you can use regular granulated sugar or even powdered sugar)
• Small containers or lids (like bottle caps or yogurt lids)

Instructions:

1. Mix the baking soda and sugar together in equal parts. The sugar will attract the rats, and the baking soda will cause discomfort in their digestive system when eaten.
2. Place the mixture in small containers, lids, or bottle caps and set them in areas where you’ve seen rats, such as near food sources, along walls, or in corners.
3. Check the traps daily. Once a rat ingests the mixture, it should feel the effects soon after. However, remember that this method may not work as quickly as chemical poisons and will only deter rats if they consume the bait.

2. Create a Baking Soda Barrier

Rats often enter homes through small cracks, holes, and gaps around the foundation or windows. You can use baking soda to create a natural barrier at these entry points.

What You Need:

• Baking soda
• Cotton balls or rags
• Glue (optional)

Instructions:

1. Locate the entry points around your home. These might include small holes in walls, around doors, or gaps in windows or vents.
2. Soak cotton balls or rags in baking soda. If necessary, you can lightly coat them in a small amount of glue to help keep them in place.
3. Place the soaked cotton balls around the entry points. The strong, pungent smell of the baking soda will deter rats from entering your home. You can also sprinkle baking soda directly into holes or cracks if cotton balls aren’t effective.

This method may not kill rats but can serve as an effective preventive measure, making it harder for rats to enter the home in the first place.

3. Baking Soda in Nooks and Crannies

To keep rats away from specific areas of the house, like under sinks, behind appliances, or in storage spaces, you can sprinkle baking soda in the corners or gaps where rats may frequent.

What You Need:

• Baking soda
• A shaker or sieve

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