Rice and chalk: the surprising combination that repels parasites

Tired of expensive traps and chemicals that force you to air out your entire home? Good news: there’s a much gentler and more ingenious method. It combines two familiar ingredients: uncooked white rice and a component often used in crafts   ,  chalk   powder  . Together, they form a   highly effective deterrent   against unwanted pests.

Rice, once ground into a powder, is  highly attractive to   rats and cockroaches. Add a touch of chalk and you’ll have a bait that   ‘s dangerous only to them  . Once ingested, the mixture hardens in their bodies as soon as they drink water, with fatal consequences.

A very simple home remedy to prepare

You don’t have to be a DIY expert or a chemistry whiz to try this trick. Here’s what you’ll need: 

• Uncooked white rice
• Powdered plaster (  also called plaster of Paris or white cement  )
• Water
• Small containers (  bowls, bottle caps or small cocottes  )
• A blender or mortar

Grind raw rice into a fine powder. Mix it with chalk in equal parts. Pour this mixture into shallow containers near the pest areas.   Place   a small bowl of water next to each container;   this activates the trap  .