A common supermarket staple costing just a few pounds could be the ultimate solution to your summer pest problems. A cleaning expert has revealed a remarkably budget-friendly trick to banish annoying cockroaches without resorting to costly insect sprays.
The Simple Two-Ingredient Cockroach Solution
The secret weapon? The humble baking ingredient, bicarb soda. Brisbane-based home expert Leanne shared this insightful 'hack' on her Instagram account, @home.with.leanne. Her advice is to use bicarb soda combined with lavender oil to repel cockroaches effectively. She explained that 'Bicarb disrupts their digestion, while lavender deters them.'
This method works because sprinkling bicarb soda in areas prone to cockroaches acts as a powerful deterrent. The fine powder disrupts the scent trails that these crawling insects use to navigate. Its presence encourages existing pests to move on and prevents new ones from settling in.
The most appealing part is the cost. Bicarb is incredibly cheap – at Woolworths, a 500g pack of Essentials Bicarbonate Soda costs a mere $2.45.
A Welcome Relief for Pest-Infested Areas
This affordable pest-repelling trick will be particularly welcome news for residents in Sydney. Recent data highlights a significant pest issue there. According to a research report published by Airtasker, Sydney's city and inner south region was ranked as the most pest-infested area in Australia.
The city's eastern suburbs took second place, and the inner west came in third. Sydney's dominance on the list is stark, claiming eight of the top ten spots for pest-infested locations in the country. Brisbane's inner city ranked fourth, while Melbourne's inner region secured sixth place.
More Natural Tips for a Pest-Free Home
Leanne's Instagram post didn't stop at cockroaches; she also offered other simple solutions for keeping pesky bugs at bay.
To ward off spiders, the cleaning pro suggests rubbing a bar of soap along window frames. 'Adding soap to window sills repels spiders, due to its strong scent and slippery surface,' she clarified.
For keeping bugs off indoor walls, Leanne recommends a mixture of peppermint oil and water, applied with a sponge or mop. Similar to the bicarb method, she explained that the scent of peppermint 'repels bugs by disrupting their trails and irritating their senses.'
The Multi-Purpose Power of Bicarb Soda
Beyond pest control and baking, bicarb soda is celebrated for its myriad cleaning uses around the home.
To unblock a drain, flush it with boiling water, then add half a cup of baking soda, followed by a cup of vinegar and one cup of hot water. After the fizzing subsides, run hot tap water for 30-60 seconds to clear the blockage.
For couch stains, from spilled drinks to muddy paw prints, experts advise sprinkling baking soda directly onto the mark before rinsing it away to lift the stain effectively.
For oven cleaning, create a paste by mixing half a cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water. Coat the oven interior with this paste and let it sit overnight. The next day, spray vinegar onto the residue and wipe it clean with a cloth.
