This sounds like one of those typical headlines from household tip websites. While home remedies can be effective for minor infestations, each of these pests requires a completely different approach.
- Repelling Ants (Scents & Baking Soda)
Ants navigate by scent trails. Their goal is to disrupt these trails or destroy the nest.
Essential Oils & Spices: Sprinkle cinnamon, cloves, peppermint, or coffee grounds along their trails. The strong scent confuses the ants and makes them turn back.
Baking Soda/Baking Powder + Powdered Sugar: Mix baking soda with powdered sugar in a 1:1 ratio. The sugar attracts the ants; the baking soda disrupts their acid-base balance in their stomachs.
- Flea Control (Vacuuming & Washing Routine)
95% of fleas don’t nest on the animal itself, but rather in its environment (carpets, cracks, pet beds).
Diatomaceous earth: A natural rock flour. Sprinkled in a very thin layer on carpets and baseboards, it damages the fleas’ exoskeletons and dehydrates them.
Salt on Carpets: Ground salt draws moisture from flea eggs and larvae in carpet fibers. Vacuum thoroughly after 12–24 hours.
Hot Wash Textiles: Wash blankets, pillows, and covers at a minimum of 60°C (140°F) to kill eggs and larvae.
- Cockroaches (Boric Acid & Baking Soda Traps)
Cockroaches are very resilient. Home remedies are most effective in the early stages.
Baking soda and sugar bait: Mix equal parts baking soda and sugar and place small bowls in dark places (behind the refrigerator, under the sink).
Diatomaceous earth in crevices: Sprinkled into dark cracks, diatomaceous earth also deters cockroaches.
Food and water deprivation: Dry sinks at night and store food in airtight glass or plastic containers.
Important reality check: Home remedies are often insufficient for severe infestations (especially with fleas and cockroaches) because the insects reproduce extremely quickly. If you don’t see a significant improvement after a few days, it’s worth using pheromone traps or contacting a professional pest control service.