I put a mix together to get rid of some weed in my yard that seems to be out of control. While I was at it, spraying the weed, I saw some ants and decided to spray one of the ants.
And to my surprise, the ant was dead in 3 seconds. I was shocked! I thought that ant was joking so I tested it on another. Turns out that the first one was serious, and so was the second one.
I wanted to see if it was the scent of the fumes from the mixture that got to them by just spraying it in their paths very close to them.
That turned out in them running very fast and very far without any visible proof that they were going to stop. So I tested again and realized that when they are covered in the mixture, they play a little Karate for what appears to be three seconds then they stopped and never move again.
This mixture is never to be used in your farm, garden, or any indoor plant to kill weed or insects. It was made as a weed killer but it turns out to be much stronger than just that, so be careful with where you use it.
It is safe for pets so if fleas are on dogs or cats you can use this mixture to relieve your little friend of those pests.
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons Salt
2 Tablespoons Dishsoap
1 Cup Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Rubbing Alcohol
How to make it?
Pour all the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well to dissolve the salt and combine all ingredients properly.
Using a funnel to get the ingredients down into the spray bottle can be very easy and save some time. I tried without the funnel and it was not the best idea.
So I scrape off the excess salt to make it exactly one tablespoon. That is just a habit of mine to so-called get things accurate when measuring. You do not necessarily have to do the same for the mixture to work.
This mixture is made with dawn dish soap, however, you could use any other dish soap you have.
I am of the opinion that rubbing alcohol is what may have caused the insects to stop quickly. That’s just my opinion though, you can let me know from a scientific perspective what really makes it so effective.
Please ensure that the bottle is covered properly before shaking it!
Shake well to dissolve and combine all the ingredients. We do not want any grain of salt blocking the spray hose inside the bottle. Then when you are ready to stop fly, cockroach, or some ants in their tracks it’s not spraying. Haha

The mixture is now ready to be used on the weeds that are in your way. Not to mention the insects!

This Mixture can be used to kill the following pests that may bother you on a daily basis.
Ants, cockroaches, stink bugs, gnats, flies, silverfish, and a whole lot more. I think you should just try it out and let me know in the comment section how it worked out for you. It worked on every small insect I tried it on so far.
This is what the weed looked like after three days of spraying it with this mixture!
Thank you for checking out this post. I enjoyed making and using this mixture and it was also my pleasure to share it with you! Comment below if you have used this and how it worked for you!
Share this pin on Pinterest if you liked this post!
Here are 20 bugs and some potential homemade solutions to deal with them or you may use the above-mentioned solution to help where possible.
Ants:
Ants leave chemical trails to communicate with each other. The mixture of white vinegar and water disrupts these trails, making it harder for them to navigate.
Cockroaches:
Baking soda and sugar form an attractive bait for cockroaches. When roaches ingest baking soda, it interferes with their digestive system, leading to their demise.
Fruit flies
: Apple cider vinegar attracts fruit flies, and the dish soap breaks the surface tension, causing the flies to sink and drown.
Mosquitoes:
Certain plants like citronella, lavender, and lemongrass have natural mosquito-repelling properties, which can help deter them from your living space.
Flies:
The theory is that the water-filled bags create reflections that confuse flies, leading them to avoid the area.
Spiders:
Peppermint oil has a strong scent that spiders dislike, so spraying it around potential entry points discourages them from entering.
Moths:
Cedar chips and lavender sachets emit scents that repel moths and prevent them from damaging clothing.
Silverfish:
Diatomaceous earth is a natural insecticide that dehydrates and kills silverfish when they come into contact with it.
Earwigs:
Rolled-up newspapers or cardboard tubes act as traps, and you can dispose of the earwigs caught in them.
Aphids:
A water and dish soap solution sprayed on aphids causes them to suffocate and die.
Whiteflies:
Yellow sticky traps attract whiteflies, which then get stuck to the adhesive surface.
Fleas:
Regular vacuuming helps to remove flea eggs and larvae, and diatomaceous earth can desiccate adult fleas.
Bedbugs:
Baking soda or borax can absorb moisture from bedbugs and eventually kill them.
Carpet beetles:
Regular vacuuming removes carpet beetle larvae and prevents them from becoming adults.
Centipedes:
Lowering humidity and moisture levels in your home can discourage centipedes from staying.
Termites:
Neem oil is a natural insecticide that can help control termites when applied to infested wood.
Weevils:
Airtight containers prevent weevils from infesting stored grains and cereals.
Ticks:
The solution of water and apple cider vinegar helps to repel ticks from pets’ fur.
Gnats:
A mixture of apple cider vinegar, sugar, and dish soap attracts and traps gnats.
Dust mites:
Washing bedding in hot water kills dust mites, and allergen-proof covers on mattresses and pillows can reduce exposure to allergens.
These homemade solutions are cost-effective and eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides. However, their effectiveness may vary depending on the severity of the infestation and the specific bug species involved. For severe or persistent infestations, it’s essential to consider seeking professional pest control services to address the issue effectively and safely. Always follow safety guidelines when using any pest control methods.
10 Comments
I’ve been looking for a bug killer the last few days. I tried the ones I’ve made on a big ant hill I found the other day and to my disappointment what I had was not very good. I ended up using a mixture with Borax. When it was all said and done I had about 4-5 diff DIY sprays. No one wants that many or make that many. I am so so happy I found your mixture! I just made and tried it on a spider. It worked like a charm and exactly as you said. Within seconds it was dead! Where has this been?!?! This is by far the BEST I’ve made and will def only be using it from now on.
Thank You So Much!
Rose
Thank you so much for such a wonderful comment. I love the fact that you tested it yourself and see that it worked. Thanks so much for letting us know.
If you use salt in the garden, it will kill the soil, and be aware that it does real damage to cement and other materials. I had a tenant who used table salt on her sidewalk when it was icy. I had to replace the sidewalk because it crumbled from the salt. Wasn’t it the Romans who salted their enemy’s fields so nothing would grow for years? Be careful where you use it is all I’m saying!
OMG! This stuff works! Amazing in flies, I thought I had a clean seed starter but it must have had larva in it. Came in today and the place wa full of flies. I found this mixture in a Pinterest search, tried it and they started dropping. I’m saving this one!
I have some kind of bugs in my sofa and possibly my bed. Is it safe to spray these? Will they discolor the fabric?
this mixture is not good for your sofa! The salt will leave white deposits on it.
Will it kill plants?
It can, it kills weed so it is possible. So be careful.
Definitely 👍 gonna try!!!!!!
The salt is what kills the bugs. I found a recipe for a natural flea killer, and that breaks down their out skeleton. I’m so glad I found this, can’t wait to try it out!