When it comes to keeping your home or homestead pest-free, you don’t need to rely on toxic sprays or expensive solutions. Two simple ingredients, lemon and baking soda, can do more than just freshen your kitchen. They’re natural deterrents that help keep ants, roaches, mice, and even flies away. This guide will show you how to use them effectively and safely, step by step.
Why Lemon and Baking Soda Work
- Lemon contains d-limonene, a natural compound that repels many insects due to its strong citrus aroma. It also breaks down scent trails that pests use to navigate, especially ants.
- Baking soda alters the pH balance in the environment. For bugs like cockroaches, it can be deadly when ingested. Its fine texture also irritates certain insects’ exoskeletons, making it an unwelcoming surface to crawl on.
Read more on how the combo can be used on your homestead here: Lemon + Baking Soda
What You’ll Need
- 1–2 fresh lemons
- Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
- Spray bottle (optional)
- Small bowls or jar lids
- Hot water
- Old rags or sponges
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Clean With Lemon First
Slice a lemon in half and use it directly on countertops, window sills, and entry points. Rub the lemon along cracks, baseboards, and any places you suspect pests are entering. The scent will deter insects immediately, and the acidity helps remove residue and trail pheromones.
2. Make a Lemon Spray
Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a spray bottle, add one cup of hot water, and shake well. Spray this mixture around door frames, under sinks, around trash bins, and at any visible entry points. Reapply every few days, or more often during hot weather.
3. Place Baking Soda Traps
In small bowls or jar lids, place a tablespoon of baking soda. Put them in the corners of your pantry, under the stove, or behind appliances. If you’re targeting roaches, you can mix equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar to encourage ingestion—just be sure pets can’t reach it.
4. Use Baking Soda in Cracks and Crevices
Sprinkle dry baking soda along window sills, floorboards, or behind furniture. It will not only repel insects but also absorb moisture and odors that attract them in the first place.
Where to Apply
- Baseboards and corners
- Under and behind appliances
- Pantry shelves and cupboards
- Near pet bowls and food storage areas
- Bathroom and kitchen sinks
Tips for Best Results
Use lemon and baking soda consistently. While both are effective, they don’t kill instantly like chemical sprays. Instead, they create a long-term, unfriendly environment for pests. If you’re dealing with a severe infestation, these methods can support but should not replace deeper pest control methods.
Final Thoughts
Lemon and baking soda offer a safe, cost-effective way to deter pests without introducing harmful chemicals to your home or garden. With a little effort and regular application, you can maintain a clean, pest-free space the natural way—while staying true to the self-sufficient lifestyle.
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