A homemade recipe claiming to make rats and cockroaches disappear in a single day has been circulating online, using three surprisingly simple ingredients: crushed sweet cookies, baking soda, and Vicks VapoRub. The suggested mixture combines 3 crushed cookies, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of Vicks, then forms it into small balls and places them where rodents are believed to travel.

The idea is that the sweet smell of the cookies attracts rats, while the strong menthol scent from Vicks supposedly makes the area unpleasant for them. Baking soda is also included in the mixture. However, there is an important catch: there is no good scientific evidence showing that this recipe will eliminate rats or cockroaches, let alone within one day. 🐀

That doesn’t mean homeowners should ignore signs of pests. Rodents can contaminate areas with urine and droppings and may damage insulation, wiring, and other materials. The CDC recommends looking for entry points and sealing gaps, while also keeping food, garbage, and pet food securely stored.

For a real infestation, prevention and proven control methods are much more dependable than viral homemade recipes. Seal holes, remove accessible food and water, keep areas clean, and use appropriate traps or professional pest control when necessary. If you find rodent droppings, don’t sweep or vacuum them dry; the CDC recommends wetting them with disinfectant first and cleaning them safely.