Borax or Baking Soda: Which One Kills Ants More Effectively?

If you’ve ever walked into your kitchen at 7 a.m., bleary-eyed, just to find a miniature parade of ants marching across your countertop like they own the place—you’re not alone. Ants are persistent, annoying, and oddly clever for creatures the size of a sesame seed. That’s why many homeowners swear by DIY methods to take back control, and two of the most popular are borax and baking soda. But when it comes down to it—borax vs baking soda: which kills ants better?

Let’s put these two pantry warriors to the test and find out which one really kicks ant butt.

How Do They Work, Anyway?

Both borax and baking soda look innocent enough. You’ve probably used them for cleaning, deodorizing, or baking cookies. But to ants? One of them is a silent killer, and the other… well, more like a distracting prank.

Borax is a natural mineral compound (sodium borate) that’s toxic to ants. They eat it, bring it back to the colony, and before you know it, it’s game over for the whole crew. Think of it like the Trojan Horse of your kitchen cabinet.

Baking soda, on the other hand, isn't toxic in the same way. The idea is that when ants consume it, it reacts with the acid in their stomachs, causing internal issues. The science is shakier here, and results are usually much slower (and less effective).

So if you’re asking which one kills ants more effectively—the scoreboard is already leaning.

DIY Ant Bait: Borax Edition

Here’s a quick and easy bait recipe using borax that actually works:

What you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1.5 tablespoons borax

• 1.5 cups warm water

• Cotton balls or paper towels

Instructions:

1. Mix the sugar, borax, and water until everything dissolves.

2. Soak cotton balls in the mixture.

3. Place them where you’ve seen ant activity (but out of reach of kids or pets!).

Why it works: The sugar lures them in, the borax does the dirty work. The ants bring it back to the colony, and you’ve just played your part in DIY pest warfare.

Baking Soda: The Polite Attempt

Okay, we’re not going to completely trash baking soda. It can work, but only in specific situations, and it’s more of a long game. Here’s how some people try to weaponize it:

Mix equal parts of:

• Baking soda

• Powdered sugar

Set it in a shallow dish where ants hang out. Again, the sugar draws them in. The baking soda does its fizzy thing (hopefully) once inside.

The results? Inconsistent. Some ants might die. Most probably won't. It's like trying to stop a tank with a slingshot.

A Quick Myth Buster

“Cinnamon kills ants!”
Well, not exactly. Cinnamon might confuse ants by disrupting their scent trails, but it’s not a killer. You can sprinkle it around entry points to throw them off temporarily, but they’ll eventually regroup like tiny six-legged special forces.

Ant Prevention 101: Keep the Party From Starting

You wouldn’t leave your front door open with a sign that says “Free Cake Inside.” But that’s basically what ants see when there are crumbs, leaks, or sticky jars hanging around.

🛡️Daily Ant-Proofing Routine

• ✅ Wipe down counters every night (especially sugary spots)

• ✅ Seal up pet food and snacks in airtight containers

• ✅ Take out trash daily—even if it’s not full

• ✅ Check under the sink for moisture or leaks

• ✅ Vacuum around baseboards once a week

• ✅ Store honey, syrup, and jam in the fridge

A little daily discipline keeps you from having to go full Rambo on the ants later.

Natural Repellents That Actually Work (Sorta)

Not everything in your spice cabinet is useless. While they don’t kill, some things make your home less appealing to ants.

• Vinegar spray: Mix 1:1 vinegar and water, then wipe down common entry paths.

• Lemon juice: Breaks up scent trails. Smells better than vinegar.

• Essential oils (peppermint, tea tree): Ants dislike strong scents. Just a few drops in water and spray it around.

But keep in mind, these are repellents, not solutions. They’re like putting up a “Keep Out” sign—without closing the door.

True Story: The Toaster Trail 🥯🐜

A friend swore her kitchen was spotless—no crumbs, no spills, nothing.
But every morning, she spotted a few ants loitering near the coffee maker.
Turns out, they were commuting. Not to the coffee—to the toaster.

Underneath the toaster tray was a breadcrumb graveyard from a month’s worth of breakfasts.
The ants had found it, formed a tidy little trail, and were basically running an underground bakery.

Lesson? Just because you don’t see the crumbs doesn’t mean the ants don’t. Clean under everything. Even the appliances you swear are “clean enough.”

Final Verdict: Borax Wins the Bug Battle

Borax vs baking soda: which kills ants better? Hands down, it’s borax.

It’s consistent, powerful, and colony-crushing. Baking soda might annoy a few scouts, but it’s borax that delivers the knockout blow. If you’re dealing with a serious invasion, don’t waste time—go straight for the borax bait.

Just remember: always use borax safely. Keep it away from pets and kids, and use in targeted spots. It’s natural, yes—but still toxic when ingested.

FAQ

How long does it take borax to kill ants?
Usually within 24 to 48 hours after ingestion. It takes time for the ants to bring it back to the colony and share the feast. Be patient—it’s working behind the scenes.

Can ants cause real damage in your home?
Absolutely. While most ants are just annoying, some—like carpenter ants—can chew through wood and weaken structures over time. Even the small ones can contaminate food and invade electronics.

Keep your shield up, your borax ready, and your counters clean. HomeBugShield’s got your back.