Dealing with rats scurrying in the walls or cockroaches emerging from the shadows at night is more than just unsettling — it’s a serious health and hygiene issue. These pests spread bacteria, trigger allergies, and can quickly turn a minor sighting into a full-blown infestation.
While chemical sprays and poison baits are common, many people are turning to natural, affordable, and DIY-friendly solutions — especially one viral remedy that’s gaining attention online: a simple mixture made from two common household ingredients that can help eliminate rats and cockroaches — naturally.
Let’s break down this powerful home remedy, how it works, and how to use it safely and effectively.
The Natural Pest Control Recipe
This effective bait uses ingredients you may already have at home:
- 100g corn flour – A starchy, sweet-tasting flour that attracts pests
- 100g plaster of Paris (gypsum powder) – The key active ingredient (often mistakenly called “plaster cement”)
- 50g chocolate powder – Adds a sweet, enticing scent
- Water – To mix into a soft, edible paste
⚠️ Important Note: “Plaster cement” in this context refers to plaster of Paris, not construction-grade cement. Using actual cement or lime can be extremely dangerous and is not recommended.
How It Works: The Science Behind the Trick
This method relies on a clever biological trap — not poison, but internal hardening.
Here’s the process:
- Attraction: Rats and cockroaches are drawn to the sweet, starchy scent of corn flour and chocolate.
- Consumption: They eat the bait, mistaking it for food.
- Internal Reaction: Once ingested, the plaster of Paris (calcium sulfate hemihydrate) reacts with moisture in the pest’s digestive tract.
- Hardening: The plaster sets and hardens inside their stomachs, causing a fatal blockage.
- Elimination: Unable to eat or drink, the pests die within hours or days.
Bonus effect:
Cockroaches are scavengers — they often eat dead members of their colony. This can spread the bait through the group, increasing its impact.
How to Make and Use the Mixture
Step 1: Mix the Ingredients
In a bowl, combine:
- 100g corn flour
- 100g plaster of Paris (not cement)
- 50g cocoa or chocolate powder
Gradually add a little water and mix into a thick, dough-like consistency — like cookie dough.
✅ Tip: Add a few drops of sugar water or vegetable oil to make it even more appealing.
Step 2: Form Small Bait Balls
Roll the mixture into pea-sized balls — small enough for roaches, but still attractive to rats.
Step 3: Place Strategically
Put the bait balls in areas where pests are active:
- Behind appliances
- Under sinks
- In dark corners
- Near baseboards or entry points
🚫 Keep away from pets, children, and food areas. This mixture is toxic if ingested by humans or animals.
Step 4: Monitor and Refresh
- Check every 2–3 days.
- Replace if the bait dries out or disappears.
Important Safety Precautions
⚠️ Do NOT use actual cement, lime, or construction materials — these are highly caustic and dangerous.
⚠️ Keep out of reach of children and pets — ingestion can cause serious internal injury or death.
✅ Safer option: Place the bait inside DIY bait stations — like a small plastic container with tiny entry holes — so only pests can access it.
✅ Label the area — so others know it’s a pest control zone.
Does It Really Work?
While there’s no official scientific study on this exact recipe, the principle is biologically sound:
- Corn flour and chocolate are proven attractants.
- Plaster of Paris hardens with moisture — and insects and rodents can’t expel hardened material.
Many users report reduced pest activity within days, especially when used alongside good sanitation.
However, this is not a cure-all for large infestations.
Boost Effectiveness: Pair With Prevention
For best results, combine this bait with preventive measures:
✅ Seal cracks and gaps in walls, floors, and around pipes
✅ Store food in airtight containers
✅ Clean up crumbs and spills immediately
✅ Take out trash regularly
✅ Fix leaky faucets — roaches need water to survive
✅ Use essential oils (peppermint, eucalyptus) as natural repellents
When to Call a Professional
If you notice:
- Frequent sightings of rats or roaches
- Droppings in cabinets or drawers
- Gnaw marks on furniture or wires
- A persistent musty odor
👉 It’s time to call a licensed pest control expert.
Natural remedies work best for early-stage infestations — severe cases may require professional treatment.
Final Thoughts: A Smart, Natural Hack — But Use It Responsibly
You don’t need harsh chemicals to fight pests.
With corn flour and plaster of Paris, you can create a simple, low-cost, and effective bait that targets rats and cockroaches at their weakest point — their hunger.
Just remember:
This remedy is for pests, not people.
Use it wisely.
Keep it safe.
And always pair it with cleanliness and prevention.
Because the best way to keep pests out isn’t just to kill them —
It’s to make your home a place they never want to enter.
Stay one step ahead — naturally.
