Social media often claims that ordinary toothpaste can kill rats or keep mice, cockroaches, and ants away. While these posts are popular, there is no reliable scientific evidence that toothpaste is an effective or safe pest control method.
Here’s what you should know before trying this household hack.
Does Toothpaste Kill Rats or Mice?
No. Toothpaste is not designed to kill rodents, and there is no evidence that it works as an effective mouse or rat poison. While rodents may occasionally nibble on unusual materials, toothpaste is not a reliable bait or control method.
Does Toothpaste Repel Cockroaches or Ants?
There is also no strong scientific evidence that toothpaste repels cockroaches or ants. At best, it may temporarily interfere with an insect’s movement if they become stuck in it, but it is not a practical or long-term solution.
Why These Claims Spread
Many viral videos:
- Stage or edit the results.
- Show pests that were already dead or weakened.
- Use misleading captions to attract views and shares.
These demonstrations rarely reflect real-world pest control.
