The recipe is as simple as it gets: equal parts baking soda and sugar, set out in small dishes. The sugar attracts the roaches, and the baking soda is said to kill them after they eat it.
How to Make It
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Mix and put small amounts in jar lids. Set them where you see roaches: under the sink, behind the fridge, beside the stove. Replace them every few days so the bait stays dry.
What to Expect
It may kill some roaches. It will not clear an infestation. There is little solid research behind it, and roaches often avoid a bait that doesn’t smell like food. Think of it as a small help, not a cure.
What Works Much Better
- Gel bait. Store-bought roach gel, applied in pea-sized dots in cracks and behind appliances, is what professionals use. Roaches carry it back to the nest.
- Boric acid, used carefully. A very thin dusting behind and under appliances works well. Keep it away from children, pets and food surfaces.
- Sticky traps. They show you where the roaches travel.
Cut Off What They Need
- Fix leaky pipes. Roaches need water more than food.
- Wipe counters and sweep crumbs every night.
- Keep food in sealed containers, including pet food.
- Take the trash out before bed.
- Seal gaps around pipes with caulk.
When to Call for Help
If you see roaches in the daytime, or small ones in several rooms, the nest is established. A pest control visit is worth the money at that point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the baking soda bait safe around pets?
Yes, in these small amounts.
Do roaches mean my house is dirty?
No. They come in with boxes and bags and through shared walls. But food and water keep them there.
How long until roaches are gone?
With gel bait, expect two to four weeks.
