Baking soda can kill cockroaches, but not instantly. It typically takes 12 to 24 hours after ingestion to see results.

How Baking Soda Works Against Roaches

Baking soda is not toxic like chemical insecticides, but it can still be lethal to cockroaches when consumed.

How it works…

• Attraction – Baking soda is usually mixed with a bait (like sugar or peanut butter) to attract roaches.

• Ingestion – Roaches consume the mixture.

• Reaction – The baking soda reacts with the acid in their stomach, producing carbon dioxide gas.

• Fatal Gas Buildup – Roaches cannot pass gas, so the internal pressure kills them.

How to Use Baking Soda to Kill Roaches

To use baking soda effectively…

• Mix equal parts baking soda and sugar (or another attractant).

• Place the mixture in shallow dishes or jar lids near known roach activity.

• Replace every few days and monitor results.

Pro tip – Place small containers under sinks, behind appliances, & along baseboards anywhere roaches tend to hide.

Is Baking Soda a Permanent Solution?

No, baking soda is best used for small infestations or as a temporary fix. It won’t wipe out an entire colony or reach deep nesting areas. For larger infestations, combining baking soda with other methods or hiring a professional is usually more effective.

Baking soda can kill roaches within a day of ingestion, but it’s not an instant or complete solution. It’s a safe, natural option to help reduce the roach population when used with proper sanitation & prevention methods.