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

Battling rats and cockroaches at home doesn’t have to mean using harsh chemicals. With simple ingredients like rice and plaster, you can make an effective, safe, and eco-friendly remedy—using things you probably already have on hand.

Why Rice Works as Bait

Rats and cockroaches are drawn to rice because of its neutral smell and taste. When ground up, it’s easy for even small pests to eat, making it the perfect base for a homemade trap.

What You’ll Need

Raw rice
Plaster of Paris (also called powdered plaster, lime, or white cement)
Small containers or bottle caps
Water

How to Prepare the Bait

Grind the raw rice into a fine powder.
Mix equal parts of ground rice and powdered plaster.
Place the mixture in small containers or bottle caps.
Set the bait in areas where you’ve seen rats or cockroaches—think corners, behind furniture, or near drains.
Put a small container of water next to the bait. After eating the mix and drinking water, the plaster hardens in the pest’s stomach, eliminating them.

Helpful Tips

Be patient: It can take 2–5 days to see results, depending on the infestation.
Keep the house clean: Regularly sweep, seal up cracks, and store food in airtight containers for best results.
Repeat weekly: Do this for about a month to fully resolve the problem.
Apply with care: While this method is safe for homes with pets or kids if used wisely, always keep bait out of their direct reach.

Combining rice and plaster gives you an inexpensive, natural, and powerful solution for pest control. Sometimes, the best fixes are hiding in your kitchen all along.