If you’ve been hearing about using baking soda to kill rats, you’re not alone. It’s one of those home remedies that’s been spreading across blogs, forums, and TikTok videos for years. The idea is simple and appealing — you take something you probably already have in your cupboard, mix it with a bit of bait, and wait for the problem to solve itself. No chemicals, no traps, no need to spend money on a professional.
But before you go down that route, it’s worth asking: does baking soda really work to kill rats? Is it safe? Is it humane? And most importantly, will it actually solve the problem — or just make it worse over time?
Let’s walk through the facts, myths, and practical advice, so you can decide for yourself with a clear head, not just hope.
Can Baking Soda Really Kill Rats?
How the Method Supposedly Works
The theory behind baking soda as a rat killer is built on a basic chemical reaction. When baking soda comes into contact with an acid or moisture — like stomach acid — it releases carbon dioxide gas. Because rats can’t burp or vomit, the gas builds up inside them and is said to cause internal pressure that leads to death.
The typical method involves mixing baking soda with foods rats are attracted to — like peanut butter or sugar — to mask the smell and encourage them to eat it. You leave the mixture in areas where you’ve seen signs of activity and wait.
It sounds like a clever, clean solution. But the problem is that the science behind it doesn’t really hold up the way people expect it to.
What Scientific Evidence Supports This?
Here’s where things get less convincing. Despite the claims all over the internet, there’s little to no scientific evidence that baking soda consistently or reliably kills rats. You won’t find peer-reviewed studies backing this method. You won’t see pest control organisations recommending it either.
The idea of using carbon dioxide as a lethal gas is valid in controlled settings. But releasing gas inside the body through baking soda isn’t proven to work in the same way. Rats have surprisingly strong digestive systems. Their guts can neutralise small amounts of sodium bicarbonate without causing them harm.
Even when there’s some effect, it’s not immediate, and not guaranteed to be fatal. And that’s a big issue when you’re trying to get rid of rats — especially if the infestation is serious.
How It Became a Popular Home Remedy
This remedy became popular for two main reasons: it’s cheap, and it sounds natural. People don’t want to handle poison. They don’t like traps. And hiring pest control feels like a last resort. So when someone shares an easy-sounding DIY method online, it gets clicks. The baking soda trick ticks all the boxes — it’s simple, available, and promises results.
Videos, blog posts, and DIY forums have picked up the method and pushed it out without questioning it too deeply. But what often gets missed is the gap between “sounds good” and “actually works.” And that’s where people can run into problems.
What Happens When Rats Ingest Baking Soda?
Internal Reactions and Digestive Limits
When a rat eats baking soda, it reacts with stomach acids and produces carbon dioxide gas. The problem is that a rat’s body is designed to cope with gases from digestion. Their intestines stretch and absorb gas, and they can pass it just like other mammals do.
For baking soda to actually harm a rat, the amount of gas produced would need to overwhelm those systems. And studies show that it’s difficult to achieve that without giving them a dose much larger than they’d realistically eat — especially if the bait also contains strong smells that might warn them off.
In smaller doses, their bodies just neutralise it. No real damage is done. So while the theory has a kernel of truth, it doesn’t hold up under closer inspection.
Why Rats Don’t Vomit: A Key Factor
It’s true that rats can’t vomit. Their anatomy prevents reverse movement in the oesophagus, and their diaphragm structure doesn’t support it. That’s why they’re more vulnerable to poisons — they can’t expel what they’ve ingested.
But not vomiting doesn’t automatically mean they’ll die from baking soda. Without enough internal pressure or reaction, the gas just passes through. It might cause some discomfort, but it’s unlikely to be fatal unless the dose is large and consistent — which is hard to achieve in the real world.
Does Quantity Make a Difference?
You might wonder: what if I just give them more? The issue is that rats are clever. They’re suspicious of new smells and textures. If they associate something with illness or discomfort, they’ll avoid it next time. Even if you get them to take a small amount once, you’re unlikely to convince them to do it again.
To kill a rat using baking soda, you’d need a concentrated dose that’s both high enough and delivered all at once — and that’s nearly impossible using casual bait. So yes, quantity does matter — but you’d struggle to get the quantity right without the rat catching on first.
Is It a Humane or Effective Solution?
How Long Does It Take to Work – If It Works at All?
This is one of the big issues with using baking soda. If it does have any effect, it doesn’t happen quickly. There’s no instant result. In some reports, people say it took days or even weeks — and that’s if it worked at all. In other cases, there’s no result, and the rats just move on to other food.
That makes it hard to measure whether it’s working, and frustrating if you’re trying to stop damage or protect your home. You’re waiting, but you don’t know what for.
Is This Considered a Humane Form of Pest Control?
Because baking soda causes internal gas buildup (if it works), some people see it as inhumane. It might lead to a slow and painful death. And because it’s not regulated or tested like professional poisons, you have no control over the outcome. In many cases, the rat might suffer without dying — or it might die somewhere inaccessible, which can cause other issues.
So if you’re looking for a method that’s both effective and humane, baking soda probably doesn’t meet either standard.
Can It Solve an Infestation Problem Long-Term?
This is the most important point. Even if you manage to kill one or two rats, you haven’t solved the real problem. Rats live in groups. They breed quickly. If you don’t block entry points, remove access to food, and break their nesting habits, they’ll keep coming back.
Baking soda doesn’t tackle any of those things. It doesn’t deter new rats. It doesn’t clean up their scent trails. So at best, it’s a small temporary fix — and at worst, it’s a distraction from what really needs to be done.
How Safe Is Baking Soda for Use Around the Home?
Risks to Pets and Children
Baking soda might be a common household product, but that doesn’t mean it’s harmless. If you leave open bait around the house — especially if it’s mixed with things like sugar, chocolate, or peanut butter — pets and children might find it. Too much baking soda can cause digestive problems in dogs, cats, or small kids. It’s not usually lethal, but it’s definitely not something you want them consuming in large amounts.
So even though it feels “safe,” you still need to treat it with care, especially if you’re placing it somewhere accessible.
Contamination and Mess from DIY Baits
Homemade baits often involve mixing soft foods like peanut butter or icing sugar. If you leave that out in corners, under sinks, or behind furniture, you’re creating a mess. The bait can spoil, attract other pests, and create unpleasant smells. In some cases, it can leave oily or sticky residues on carpets or flooring that are hard to clean.
If you’re not monitoring the bait daily, you might end up doing more harm than good to your home environment.
Legal or Regulatory Issues to Consider
In most places, using baking soda to kill rats isn’t illegal — but you should still be careful. Some local councils have guidance around pest control and recommend professional treatment for infestations. If your method causes harm to non-target animals, or results in environmental contamination, you could be held responsible.
So even though it’s not regulated like poison, it’s still your responsibility to use it safely and responsibly.
What Alternatives Work Better for Rat Control?
Natural Repellents That Actually Deter Rats
Some natural options have shown more promise than baking soda. Peppermint oil, for example, is a scent rats hate. If you soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them in rat-prone areas, it might discourage them from entering. Other strong smells like ammonia, citronella, or chilli powder can work short-term as well.
They don’t kill rats, but they do make your space less attractive. That’s useful when combined with other strategies.
Traps and Exclusion as Proven Strategies
The most effective non-chemical approach is exclusion — sealing entry points, securing food, and removing clutter. If rats can’t get in, they can’t stay. Add traps to catch any that do slip through, and you’ve got a method that’s far more reliable than baking soda.
Modern traps are quick, clean, and easy to use. Snap traps, electronic traps, and humane catch-and-release models all exist. And they don’t rely on uncertain chemical reactions to do the job.
When to Use Rodenticides or Professional Help
If the infestation is large or persistent, it’s time to bring in a professional. Pest control experts can assess the situation, use approved rodenticides, and set up prevention plans. They’ll help you fix the root causes and make sure the problem doesn’t come back.
It’s more costly upfront, but it’s the most effective way to regain control if things have gone beyond a DIY fix.
Should You Try Baking Soda for Rats?
Situations Where It Might Be Worth Trying
If you’ve seen one or two rats, and you’re confident they haven’t nested, you might try baking soda as a test. It could work in some cases, and it won’t cost you anything to try. But you should do it with realistic expectations — and don’t rely on it alone.
Think of it as one small tool, not the full solution.
Reasons It Might Not Work at All
The chances of success are low. Rats are smart. They adapt quickly. And if the bait doesn’t hit the right dose, nothing will happen. You might just end up wasting time while the rats settle in deeper. That’s why it’s risky to depend on this method for more than a day or two.
If you don’t see immediate improvement, move on to something more reliable.
What Experts and Pest Control Companies Recommend
Most professionals don’t recommend baking soda. They’ve seen it fail too often. The British Pest Control Association and other authorities advise using traps, exclusion methods, and, when needed, regulated poisons. Their advice is based on real-world outcomes — and that means using strategies that work consistently, not just occasionally.
Our Final Say!
It’s easy to understand why baking soda seems like a good idea. It’s accessible. It feels safer than poison. It sounds smart. But the truth is, it doesn’t deliver the results you need — not on its own. If you’re serious about getting rid of rats, you’ll need to take a broader approach.
Block the entry points. Keep your home clean. Use traps if you can. Call a professional if you need to. And if you still want to try baking soda — go ahead. But don’t wait around hoping it’s the magic fix. Because when it comes to rats, action matters more than theory.Top of FormBottom of Form
