Most people think you need pricey exterminators or harsh sprays to get rid of rats and cockroaches. The truth? You might already have the perfect natural solution sitting right in your kitchen — rice. Yes, the same rice you cook for dinner can help you fight pests safely, cheaply, and effectively. When combined with a few everyday ingredients, it becomes a powerful, eco-friendly weapon against unwanted visitors — without harming your family or pets.
Why Rice Works for Pest Control
Rice attracts both rodents and insects, making it an ideal bait. Cooked rice draws out cockroaches, while uncooked rice tempts rats. The secret lies in pairing rice with the right natural ingredients that disrupt pests internally — no toxic chemicals needed.
For Cockroaches: Rice + Sugar + Boric Acid
Cockroaches love warmth, crumbs, and dark corners. Mix equal parts cooked rice, sugar, and boric acid until you have a soft paste.
Shape it into tiny balls or spoon small amounts onto wax paper and place them behind appliances, under sinks, or along baseboards. The sugar lures them, the rice provides texture, and the boric acid quietly does the rest. Replace the bait every few days — you’ll see fewer roaches within a week.
For Rats: Rice + Plaster of Paris (Powdered Gypsum)
Rats are smart — but this trick fools them. Combine uncooked rice and plaster of Paris in equal amounts, then add a bit of sugar or cocoa powder for scent. When eaten, the plaster hardens inside their stomachs, providing a humane and efficient result.
Place the mix in shallow dishes along rat trails — behind cabinets or near garbage bins. Keep it away from kids and pets.
Gentler Option: Rice + Sugar + Baking Soda
If you prefer a softer, pet-safe approach, replace plaster or boric acid with baking soda. Mix equal parts uncooked rice, sugar, and baking soda, and leave it in small dishes near pest entry points. The reaction between baking soda and stomach acid creates gas — something rats can’t release — leading to natural results over time.
Extra Natural Deterrents
- Peppermint oil: Soak cotton balls and leave them near doors or holes.
- Bay leaves: Perfect for cupboards — rodents hate the smell.
- Garlic paste or cucumber peels: Keep cockroaches away naturally.
- Clean regularly: A tidy home is your first defense against pests.
Why Go Natural?
Chemical sprays can leave harmful residues and trigger allergies. Natural rice-based methods are non-toxic, inexpensive, and just as effective with a little patience. A few kitchen staples can replace dozens of store-bought products — all while keeping your air and surfaces clean.
The Takeaway
You don’t need a professional exterminator or expensive chemicals to reclaim your home. With a bit of rice, some creativity, and a few pantry items, you can naturally send pests packing — safely and affordably.
👉 Try it yourself! Have you used any other clever home remedies to get rid of pests? Share your experience or favorite trick in the comments below — your idea might help someone else keep their home pest-free!