How to Use Salt To Completely get Rid of Cockroaches, Rats and Bedbugs
Salt is something you’ll find in almost every Ghanaian kitchen. We use it to season our soups, stews, and other meals. But did you know that salt can also help control pests like cockroaches, rats, and bedbugs in your home or shop? It may not be as strong as the chemicals the professionals use, but when combined with simple home strategies, it can go a long way in keeping these troublesome pests away.
In Ghana, many people are looking for low-cost, natural ways to protect their homes and businesses from pests. Let’s take a look at how salt — and sometimes even detergent — can help you in your fight against pests.
1. Cockroaches: Unwanted Kitchen Guests
Cockroaches are stubborn pests that like to hide in dark, damp places like behind fridges, under sinks, and inside cupboards. They come out at night, looking for food. But with the help of salt, you can reduce their numbers.
How salt helps:
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Mix salt with baking soda and place small amounts in bottle caps or shallow lids. Set these in areas where cockroaches are common.
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The salt helps to dry out the cockroach’s body, while the baking soda affects their digestion and can kill them after they eat it.
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You can also spray salt water around baseboards, cabinets, and behind kitchen appliances. Roaches dislike salty environments and will avoid them.
Tip: Keep your kitchen clean and avoid leaving food out overnight. Salt will help, but cleanliness is your first defence.
2. Rats: A Serious Problem for Homes and Businesses
Rats are not just annoying — they are dangerous and destructive. They chew wires, damage furniture, and can spread diseases through their droppings and urine. In homes and especially in places like restaurants, shops, and food processing areas, rats can ruin your reputation and increase your costs.
According to research by the Centre for Economics and Business Research, rats cause serious damage, especially in food-related businesses. They’ve even been known to cause fires by chewing on electrical cables.
While you may not kill a rat instantly with salt, using salt and food bait can help reduce their population over time.
How to use salt to kill rats:
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Mix table salt with attractive foods like peanut butter, roasted corn flour, cooked rice, or even leftover fufu.
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Place the mixture near rat holes, cupboards, or places where you often see signs like droppings or gnawed items.
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Salt interferes with their hydration. If they consume too much without drinking water, it can eventually affect their internal organs and kill them.
Extra tip: You can also place salt around entry points to discourage rats from coming in. They dislike certain textures and smells.
3. Bedbugs: Tiny But Troubling
Bedbugs are one of the most frustrating pests to deal with. They hide in beds, cracks in walls, and behind furniture. They feed on human blood, and their bites can cause itchiness, swelling, and sleepless nights.
Although salt alone may not completely wipe them out, it can be used as part of your strategy to repel and reduce them.
How to use salt for bedbugs:
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Sprinkle fine salt around bed legs, mattress edges, and places where bedbugs hide.
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Use Epsom salt or sea salt mixed with warm water. Pour it into a spray bottle and spray around beds, walls, and sofas.
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Let the salt solution dry. It helps dry out the bugs and makes it hard for them to move around.
Remember: Always wash your bedding in hot water and vacuum regularly.
Killing Rats Using Detergent – Another Home Remedy
In addition to salt, laundry detergent can also help get rid of rats. It acts as an irritant and, when combined with spicy ingredients, becomes a powerful homemade repellent.
Here’s a simple method:
How to Make a Homemade Rat Repellent with Detergent
Ingredients:
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¼ cup of laundry detergent
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Hot pepper sauce (like shito or Tabasco)
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Crushed pepper or pepper powder
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Water
Steps:
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Pour ¼ cup of laundry detergent into an empty gallon or container.
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Add a few spoonfuls of pepper sauce and crushed pepper.
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Fill the rest of the container with water.
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Seal it and shake well to mix everything.
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Pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
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Spray it around your house, especially near holes, rat paths, kitchens, and outside entry points.
The mixture is irritating to rats and will drive them away over time. It is also safe for humans, as long as you don’t spray on food or cooking areas directly.
Simple Tips to Keep Pests Away
Whether you’re dealing with cockroaches, rats, or bedbugs, remember that prevention is always better than cure. Here are some useful habits to adopt:
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Store food in sealed containers. Avoid leaving leftover kenkey, rice, or meat uncovered.
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Clean your house regularly, including the backyard and garden.
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Seal all holes and cracks in your walls, windows, and doors to prevent entry.
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Avoid piling clutter around your home – pests love to hide in these spots.
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Use salt and detergent solutions as a cheap backup or support remedy.
When to Call a Professional
While salt and detergent are helpful and affordable, sometimes the pest problem may be too severe to handle on your own. If you notice:
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Large amounts of droppings
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Chewed wires or furniture
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Strong smells or sightings of many pests
…it may be time to call a pest control company. Professionals have the right tools and chemicals to completely remove the problem and prevent it from returning.
Conclusion: Small Steps Make a Big Difference
Salt is not just for cooking. With the right methods, it can become a natural and affordable pest control remedy in every Ghanaian home. Whether you are fighting cockroaches, rats, or bedbugs, using salt with a little creativity can go a long way. Add detergent for stronger protection.
However, always remember to combine these remedies with good hygiene, proper food storage, and sealing entry points. If the pests refuse to go, don’t hesitate to seek professional help.