When combined with other natural ingredients, rice becomes more than just a pantry staple. It can serve as a safe and inexpensive alternative to chemical-based pest control, helping to protect your home without exposing your family or pets to harmful substances.

For cockroaches, uncooked rice mixed with baking soda can be left in small dishes around problem areas. The rice attracts the roaches, while the baking soda reacts in their stomachs, eliminating them naturally. This method is discreet, inexpensive, and easy to maintain.

Rats, on the other hand, can be discouraged by mixing ground rice with flour and a little sugar. The scent draws them in, but the mixture can interfere with their digestion, pushing them to avoid those areas over time.

Unlike harsh pesticides, these natural remedies pose no threat to children or pets. They are environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and cost only a fraction of what you’d spend on commercial products.

Of course, prevention is just as important. Keeping your kitchen clean, sealing food in airtight containers, and closing off entry points will make your home far less attractive to both rats and cockroaches.

With consistency, these simple natural methods can reduce infestations and give you peace of mind. Sometimes, the best solutions really are the ones sitting right in your pantry.