The Right Way to Use Baking Soda to Keep Rats Away from Your Home
When it comes to getting rid of rats, most people think of traps or harsh chemical poisons. But what if one of the most effective (and surprisingly natural) deterrents is already sitting in your pantry? Enter baking soda — a simple, inexpensive household staple that can help keep rats and mice from making your home their home.
However, using baking soda the right way is key. Here’s how it actually works, what to mix it with, and the best practices to ensure it’s both safe and effective.
Why Baking Soda Works Against Rats
Rats, like most rodents, have delicate digestive systems. When they ingest baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), it reacts with the acids in their stomach to produce carbon dioxide gas.
Humans and many other animals can safely release this gas — but rats can’t burp or pass it effectively. The trapped gas builds up internally, which eventually leads to their death.
It’s a humane, low-toxicity solution compared to commercial poisons, which can be dangerous to pets, children, and the environment.
Step-by-Step: How to Use Baking Soda to Deter and Eliminate Rats
1. Identify Problem Areas
Before you begin, find where the rats are most active — look for droppings, gnaw marks, greasy tracks, or small holes near walls, cupboards, attics, or basements. These are the perfect spots to place your mixture.
2. Make an Effective Bait Mix
Rats won’t eat plain baking soda — it has no scent or appeal. You’ll need to mix it with foods that attract them. Here are a few proven combinations:
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Baking Soda + Peanut Butter (1:1 ratio): The creamy texture and strong aroma lure rats easily.
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Baking Soda + Flour + Sugar (1:1:1): A simple dry mix that mimics common food sources.
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Baking Soda + Chocolate Powder: Rats have a sweet tooth, and chocolate hides the scent of baking soda well.
Mix the ingredients thoroughly so the baking soda isn’t visible.
3. Place the Mixture Strategically
Spoon small portions of the bait into shallow lids, bottle caps, or paper cups. Then, place them in corners, behind appliances, under sinks, in garages, or anywhere you’ve seen signs of rats.
Pro Tip: Keep the bait away from pets and children. Even though baking soda is non-toxic, it can still upset their stomachs in large amounts.
4. Seal Entry Points
While the bait does its job, take time to seal cracks, holes, and gaps where rats may enter. Use steel wool, caulk, or hardware cloth — materials rats can’t chew through.
Eliminating their entry points ensures the infestation doesn’t return after you’ve dealt with the current one.
5. Clean and Declutter
Rats are attracted to food crumbs, clutter, and accessible trash. Keep your home tidy, store food in airtight containers, and empty garbage bins regularly. The cleaner your space, the less inviting it is for rodents.
Important Notes and Precautions
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Don’t rely on baking soda alone for large infestations. It’s effective for small, contained problems but may not work quickly enough for severe cases.
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Avoid mixing baking soda with water or vinegar near bait sites — this can neutralize its chemical effect before rats consume it.
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If you have pets, place bait behind furniture or in enclosed spaces that only small rodents can reach.
A Natural Solution That Works
Baking soda is an affordable, eco-friendly tool in your rodent-control toolkit. It won’t replace professional extermination if you’re dealing with a major infestation, but it can make a big difference in prevention and early intervention.
So before you reach for harsh chemicals, try this natural, pantry-friendly solution. With consistency, cleanliness, and smart placement, you can keep your home free of unwanted furry visitors — the safe, simple way.
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