How to get rid of rats and cockroaches with rice: An effective and natural home remedy

The Surprising Way Rice Can Help Eliminate Pests Naturally

Getting rid of pests like rats and cockroaches doesn’t always require harsh chemicals or costly exterminators. In fact, one of the most effective tools may already be sitting in your kitchen pantry — plain rice. When paired with a few common household ingredients, this simple staple can become a powerful and natural pest control solution. Not only is it inexpensive and eco-friendly, but it also helps you avoid the toxic risks often associated with commercial pesticides.

How Rice Works in Natural Pest Control

Rice is effective because of its unique texture and digestibility — or, in some cases, the lack thereof. Cooked rice attracts pests such as cockroaches with its mild aroma and soft texture, while uncooked rice poses digestive challenges for rodents, especially when combined with specific ingredients. This dual nature allows rice to act as both bait and a carrier for pest-eliminating compounds.

🪳 For Cockroach Control: Cooked Rice, Sugar & Boric Acid

Cockroaches thrive in warm, damp areas and are notoriously difficult to eliminate. A simple yet potent homemade remedy combines cooked rice, sugar, and boric acid:

• How it works: The sugar draws cockroaches in, the rice provides texture, and the boric acid destroys their digestive and nervous systems.
• How to use: Form small, pea-sized balls or place small spoonfuls on wax paper or lids. Position them under sinks, behind refrigerators, and in dark cabinet corners.
• Tip: Refresh the bait every 3–5 days to maintain effectiveness.

🐀 For Rat Control: Uncooked Rice with Plaster of Paris

Rats are smart, destructive, and capable of spreading disease. A simple yet powerful mixture of uncooked rice and plaster of Paris can help manage them:

• How it works: Once eaten, the plaster reacts with water in the rats’ digestive systems, hardening and causing fatal blockages.
• Recipe: Combine equal parts uncooked rice and powdered plaster. Add a touch of sugar or cocoa for scent.
• Placement: Set small portions in lids or shallow containers near garbage bins, walls, or known nesting areas.
• Caution: Keep this mixture out of reach of pets and children — plaster is not safe for ingestion.

Alternative Rat Remedy: Rice, Sugar & Baking Soda

If you prefer a gentler approach, baking soda can be substituted for plaster.

• How it works: The combination of rice and sugar attracts rats, while the baking soda reacts with stomach acid to create gas — something rats cannot expel.
• Recipe: Mix equal parts uncooked rice, sugar, and baking soda.
• How to use: Place small portions on paper plates or in lids around quiet, dark corners.
• Note: This method takes time — repeat daily for several days until results appear.

⚠️ Safety Tips

• Always keep baits away from pets and children. Place them behind appliances or furniture, or inside enclosed traps.
• Label bait spots if you share your home with others.
• Avoid using mixtures near open food areas.
• Check bait zones frequently and dispose of dead pests promptly to prevent health risks.

🌿 Additional Natural Pest Control Ideas

• Repel rodents: Use bay leaves or cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil near entry points.
• Deter cockroaches: Try cucumber peels or garlic paste in problem areas.
• Prevent infestations: Keep your home clean, seal cracks, and store food securely.

The Bottom Line

Rice-based pest control offers a simple, affordable, and environmentally safe alternative to chemical products. With just a few ingredients — most already in your kitchen — you can handle pests effectively without endangering your household’s health.

Whether you’re dealing with cockroaches in the kitchen or rats in the garage, these clever, rice-powered remedies let you reclaim your home naturally. Sometimes, all it takes to restore peace is a bit of creativity — and a handful of rice.