Ants are one of the most common complaints we get each spring. Most homeowners first notice them in the kitchen or bathroom and start searching for a quick fix. Many turn to baking soda as a cheap, easy option before calling a professional. For another look at this topic, see our companion article on whether baking soda kills ants.
The question of whether baking soda kills ants deserves a clear answer based on science, not just online rumors. From what I’ve seen over four years as a registered technician, these DIY methods usually have limited results. Here’s what the research actually shows.
The Science Behind Baking Soda and Ants
When ants eat baking soda, it reacts with the formic acid in their digestive systems. This reaction makes carbon dioxide gas, which can damage their insides.
Lab research shows that baking soda can affect ant mortality through pH changes. Studies on fire ants found that body pH rose from 6.97 to 7.90 after exposure to baking soda. This change led to higher death rates. But real-world results are much less reliable than lab results.
The gas creates pressure inside the ant that can crack its shell and cause it to dry out. But this isn’t instant. The ant has to eat enough of the baking soda mixture for it to work.
The process is slow and unreliable in the real world. Moisture, other food sources, and colony size all affect how well it works.
What Lab Studies Show
Lab research gives us the best data on whether baking soda actually kills ants. Results vary by species, amount used, and time.
For Argentine ants, researchers found that surface treatments needed 3.96 mg per square centimeter to kill 50% of ants over six days. Higher amounts killed 89 to 99%, but fire ants needed even more baking soda and longer exposure.
When tested as bait (5% baking soda in a 10% sugar water mix), it killed about 50% of Argentine worker ants in six days. Higher amounts didn’t kill more ants. This suggests that taste or body limits cap the results.
The research also compared baking soda to other household options. Other compounds beat both boric acid and baking soda in head-to-head tests. Baking soda sits in the middle of the pack at best.
How to Use Baking Soda for Ants
If you want to try baking soda despite its limits, here’s how to get the best results.
Making a Baking Soda Ant Bait
Mix equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar in a small bowl. The sugar draws ants in. Place small amounts in bottle caps or shallow dishes along ant trails.
Some people try baking soda and vinegar together, but this is less effective. The vinegar cancels out the baking soda before ants can eat it.
Where to Place It
Put the bait near entry points where you’ve seen ants. Focus on doorways, window sills, and cracks where ants travel. The goal is to catch worker ants before they set up strong scent trails.
Keep the mix dry. Moisture weakens the baking soda. Replace the bait every few days, especially in humid weather. This method takes patience.
- Mix well: Equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar, blended together
- Place smart: Along ant trails, near entry points, and around problem areas
- Keep dry: Moisture weakens baking soda, so replace after rain or in humid conditions
- Be patient: Allow 6 to 10 days for results. Don’t move the bait
Even with a good bait setup, results depend on the type of ant you’re dealing with. Knowing which species you have helps you decide if baking soda is worth trying or if you need a different approach.
How Different Ant Species React
Different ants respond differently to baking soda. In our area, we see several types with their own food preferences and habits.
Odorous house ants feed on sugar. They show the best response to baking soda and sugar baits. But these ants form multiple satellite colonies, making full removal hard even with professional help.
Carpenter ants prefer protein and fat over sugar. They’re unlikely to eat sugar-based baking soda baits. For these ants, fixing moisture issues and structural problems works better than any DIY bait.
Fire ants need higher amounts of baking soda and longer exposure based on research. Their large colonies and aggressive nature make them especially tough for home remedies.
Baking Soda vs Other DIY Methods
It helps to compare baking soda with other common options.
Boric Acid vs Baking Soda
Boric acid beats baking soda in lab tests. Recent studies using boric acid gels killed over 90% of ants. Argentine ant numbers dropped 99% within a week.
Boric acid disrupts the ant’s metabolism more directly than baking soda. It’s a more reliable DIY option.
Diatomaceous Earth
Food-grade diatomaceous earth works by scratching the ant’s outer shell, causing it to dry out over 48 to 72 hours. It stops working when wet, which limits outdoor use.
It’s messier than baking soda but gives steadier results against ants that walk through treated areas. Both methods share the weakness of not reaching the full colony.
When DIY methods aren’t cutting it, professional treatment is the next step. Here’s how the two compare.
Professional Treatment vs DIY Baking Soda
Knowing the difference between professional and DIY results helps set the right expectations.
Professional Results
Professional technicians use products that ants unknowingly spread through their colonies. These treatments reach 99%+ colony reduction within 7 to 14 days. Compare that to the 50% kill rate baking soda shows in lab settings.
Our approach starts with a detailed inspection to find hot spots. We then apply treatments both inside and outside the home, focusing on bathrooms and kitchens where moisture and food draw ants in.
Cost Over Time
Baking soda costs pennies per use, but the repeated effort often wipes out those savings. Professional baits give longer-lasting control with fewer visits.
Professional treatment also includes callbacks if the problem sticks around. That peace of mind is something DIY methods can’t offer.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Baking Soda DIY | Professional Treatment | |
|---|---|---|
| Kill Rate | 50% (lab conditions) | 99%+ colony reduction |
| Time to Results | 6+ days (partial) | 7-14 days (full) |
| Best For | Small sugar ant trails | All ant species and colonies |
Limits of Baking Soda for Ants
Setting clear expectations helps you make a smart choice. Several factors affect how well baking soda works in the real world.
Weather, other food sources, and colony size all play a role. Humidity can weaken the powder before ants eat it. If there’s plenty of natural food around, ants may skip your bait. Large colonies with multiple queens rarely fall to baking soda alone.
Baking soda might slow down a small trail of sugar-feeding ants over a week. But it rarely wipes out an entire colony. For structural pests like carpenter ants or stinging species like fire ants, a professional inspection is the right move. Baking soda is “first aid,” not a cure.
The method also needs ants to feed on it for several days straight. You can’t use repellent sprays nearby or the ants will avoid the bait. Most people run out of patience before it works.
When to Call a Professional
If you still see ants after a week of steady baiting, the colony is likely too large for home methods. If you notice ants in wall voids or structural areas, that points to a more serious problem that needs targeted treatment.
Large colonies, multiple ant species, or repeat problems despite DIY efforts all call for professional help. Our technicians can identify the specific ant species and build a plan that fixes the root cause, not just the visible symptoms.
For ongoing protection, we offer tri-annual service visits (three times per year) that target seasonal pest activity. Knowing how to keep ants away long-term matters as much as treating the current problem.
The Bottom Line
Based on research and field experience, baking soda can kill some ants under lab conditions but falls short for real-world problems. It works best against small numbers of sugar-feeding ants in dry, controlled settings.
For minor ant activity, baking soda baits might give short-term relief. But don’t expect full colony removal or lasting results. The approach needs patience, dry conditions, and ants that cooperate.
Better options include fixing moisture problems, sealing entry points, and removing food sources. For a stronger DIY alternative, many homeowners have success with borax for ants. When prevention isn’t enough, professional treatment gives proven results that DIY methods can’t match.
If ants keep showing up in your home, call us at 703-683-2000 or email info@bettertermite.com for a consultation and a treatment plan that works.
