Onion and baking soda mixture used as homemade insect lure

Some households use a homemade mixture of chopped onions and baking soda as a pest control method, placing it in kitchen corners, near sinks, or by trash cans to attract flies, ants, and cockroaches.

The method relies on the sulfur compounds in onions, which release a strong scent that can mimic food signals to insects. The onion acts as a lure, drawing insects toward the baking soda. Once consumed, the alkaline nature of baking soda may interfere with an insect's digestive process by reacting with acids in their bodies to produce gas.

However, experts note that scientific evidence supporting the consistent effectiveness of this mixture is limited. The success of this remedy can vary significantly depending on the specific insect species, ambient humidity, and surrounding odors.