Cockroaches will always be around, no matter how hard you try to get rid of them. But we can assist you in your efforts to maintain a cockroach-free environment at home or at work.
To find out if it’s necessary to call in the professionals and what types of pesticides and traps should be used, we reached out to the National Pest Management Association. (You can learn more about our research methods here.)
Given the tenacity of your adversaries, a combination of two or three of the solutions suggested below would likely be the most effective strategy for eliminating the infestation. You may have survived the extinction of the dinosaurs, but we have the means to eradicate them.
Here are some of the best roach control products selected by our experts. There are roach traps and poisons that kill the insects instantly on contact, and others that require a single roach to carry the poison back to the colony.
What Is A Roach Killer?
Cockroach killers, often referred to as roach insecticides, are used to eliminate this unwanted pest. Although there are numerous cockroach killers on the market, they are all essentially the same. Cockroaches are killed by the insecticide contained in most cockroach sprays.
Cockroaches that come in contact with the roach killer absorb the poison and die. There are baits in spray form, powders and sprays for cockroach killing. Cockroaches can be attracted to ingest the poison in some cockroach killers.
It is important to choose a cockroach killer that is registered for use against cockroaches. Also, for best results and to ensure safety, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
10 Best Roach Killers
1. Max Roach Killing Gel
Dr. Changlu Wang, an entomologist at Rutgers University, claims that gel baits are the most efficient killers “because they can be sprayed in multiple areas and closer to where the cockroaches are hiding.” In extreme outbreaks, it may be necessary to spray dozens of pea-sized dots wherever cockroaches are hiding.
The sprayer makes it easy to apply the Combat product anywhere cockroaches might be hiding, and is therefore recommended by our specialists.
For a studio or one-bedroom flat, a single sprayer should be sufficient, but in larger apartments, multiple sprayers may be needed.
If there are children or pets in the flat, you should use a different cockroach control product, as the insecticide fipronil contained in the gel can be harmful if it comes into contact with the skin or eyes. Follow exactly the instructions given in the directions for use.
2. advion 383920 Cockroach Gel Bait
Our choice for the best roach killer on the market is advion’s industrial roach control package. Developed and manufactured in the USA, this insecticide is capable of effectively controlling infestations in both residential and commercial settings.
It can also be used in other areas where food is prepared. The kit contains four syringes, and each tube can be used to treat up to five different areas.
After treatment in the house, the product can also be used in the yard, outbuildings and garage. The optimal application is the “four corners method,” where the product is applied to the four corners of each room, as well as typical cockroach attraction points, such as under sinks and in wall joints.
Cockroaches are attracted to this product in large numbers because they are unaware of the danger it poses to them.
3. Spectracide Bug Stop Home Barrier
Spectracide Bug Stop Home Barrier is the best roach control product for the money because it comes in a gallon container large enough to treat an entire home and yard and still have some left over.
This insecticide kills roaches on contact and also kills ants, spiders, fleas and silverfish. The formula is odorless and will not leave unsightly stains on your floor or patio because it is water-based.
The container has an easy to carry handle and a built-in sprayer that is ready to use. There’s nothing to mix since the formula is already ready; to activate Terminator mode, all you have to do is remove the cap from the bottle and insert the included sprayer.
Behind the stove and refrigerator, as well as in cracks and crevices, the simple application of the sprayer is not a problem. The long-term protection provided by this effective insecticide is expected to last for a year.
Children and animals should be kept away from the sprayed area until it is completely dry.
4. Maxforce FC Select Professional Roach Killer Bait Gel
Some cockroaches are “bait shy,” meaning they intentionally avoid eating cockroach venom, experts say. Fortunately, even the smartest cockroaches (often German cockroaches) can be tricked into nibbling on Maxforce FC Select Professional Roach Killer Bait Gel.
The mixture is labeled with a “Domino Effect®,” which means that once it is consumed by one roach, it spreads to and kills all other pests it comes in contact with. This means that it will take a few days for the cockroach to die (it must be able to return to its occupation to pass on the poison), and you will probably not see any results at all (up to eight days for American cockroaches).
The pre-filled syringes make it easy to reach inaccessible areas, and you do not have to mix the insecticide with anything. The recipe can be used both indoors and outdoors. The brown color it dries to is a bit unsightly, but it will not be noticeable if you apply it in cracks or places where no one will see it, such as behind large appliances. Once it dries, it can be used in the kitchen.
Although it is quite successful in getting rid of cockroaches, you should not use it in homes with pets as it poses a risk to them.
5. Raid Ant & Roach Killer
If you have ever seen a cockroach in your flat (admit it, you have), you have probably thought about packing your bags and checking into the nearest hotel.
This spray can be sprayed either on the roach itself or in the tiny crevice where it has been hiding, making it more versatile than other roach killers. Once you spray that area to prevent the roach from leaving, it will most likely die there and not try to crawl out of the hole again.
Although the product claims to eliminate cockroaches and prevent them from coming back, it is not effective against large populations.
However, it is a very effective roach killer, so you should always have some on hand for emergencies, perhaps in addition to your long-term baits and traps. This pesticide is not only effective against cockroaches, ants, earwigs, house spiders, stink bugs and even scorpions, but it also serves other purposes.
This spray is harmful to both humans and animals. So keep your pet away from rooms where it was used.
6. HOY HOY Trap-A-Roach Bait Glue Traps
The affordable and effective HOY HOY Trap-A-Roach Bait Glue Trap Kit is versatile.
Firstly, it is quite inexpensive and secondly, the kit contains five traps, so you can thoroughly prepare all major cockroach hiding places, such as behind the refrigerator, stove and under the sinks in the bathroom and kitchen.
Since you do not need to apply any liquids or gels directly to your floors or sideboards, this is the best roach killer for people who do not like to get their hands dirty.
Plus, it does not have an unpleasant odor. Plus, the traps can be used around pets as long as they are kept out of the way. Each trap is taped on the back so they can be placed out of reach of pets and children on the back of cabinets or even higher.
The traps are about an inch high, so you can easily hide them by placing them under furniture. You should not use this product if you have a heavy infestation of cockroaches, but it will help you with occasional sightings.
Trapping will undoubtedly reduce the number of cockroaches you used to have, but it’s not a permanent solution because the insects can not escape to transfer the poison back to other cockroaches.
You’ll have to worry about getting rid of the traps after the nasty creatures inside have been killed, but there’s a handy tab on the lid of each trap.
7. HARRIS Boric Acid Roach and Silverfish Killer Powder
Cockroaches can be eliminated and prevented from returning with HARRIS Boric Acid Cockroach and Silverfish Killer Powder. The company was founded in 1924 and its products are still widely used today.
This powder is inexpensive, convenient and ready for immediate use. Its main deadly ingredient, boric acid, damages (pathologically) the neurological system and digestive tract of cockroaches, resulting in their rapid demise. This bait attracts the roaches, but the roaches cannot be persuaded to eat it; bear with us; there is a clever twist.
When you see a roach, your first instinct may be to spread this stuff everywhere, hoping to kill them. However, if you use too much, the roaches may learn to avoid the poison by avoiding the area. A light pull from the bottle is enough to cover the desired area with a thin layer of dust, as it is not a tasty bait for cockroaches in the traditional sense.
The cockroach will unknowingly walk across the dust and then return home to “lick itself clean,” eating the poison in the process. By this time, it has already passed the poison on to its conspecifics, who must then suffer the same gruesome end.
8. Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer
Because Ortho Home Defence Insect Killer’s large container can be used both indoors and outdoors, it is our top choice for the best roach killer for general use.
With this product, you can kill a variety of insects such as cockroaches, ants, fleas, ticks, and spiders, and it’s already packaged and ready to use. Since it dries quickly after application, it can be used without risk in areas with dogs. The product can be sprayed exactly where it is needed (after it has dried, of course) with the help of a handy applicator stick.
There is no unpleasant odour, and as long as it is used on non-porous surfaces, there is no discoloration. It not only kills insects on contact, but also creates a barrier that prevents pests from entering the home. It is amazing that a single application can last a whole year.
However, since the bugs are killed where they are applied, the treatment is ineffective against nests and other hiding places, making it useless in the event of a heavy infestation. However, when applied to all exterior walls, it is extremely effective in keeping roaches away.
9. EcoLogic Ant and Roach Killer Aerosol
It can feel like a quandary when you need to get rid of unwanted pests, but do not feel like spraying toxic chemicals around the house. Natural solutions, like this EcoLogic Ant and Cockroach Killer Spray, have fortunately emerged as an alternative to traditional insecticides, which are known to be harmful and produce cough-irritating fumes. It smells like cinnamon, which is a nice change from the usual insecticide spray.
Natural ingredients like corn mint oil, cinnamon oil and clove oil are combined with a powerful insecticide in the form of lemongrass oil to create a product that can kill cockroaches and other insects on contact. The aerosol, when dry, is also suitable for pets and can be powerfully sprayed into cracks, under appliances and other hard-to-reach places.
Even if it does not help with an infestation, this technique can stop stray roaches in their tracks.
10. Hot Shot HG-95789 Roach Killer
Cockroaches do not come into the house just for food. You may not know it, but they are actually more interested in finding a source of water. It looks like they can go up to a month without food, but after only seven days without water, they would die.
With this knowledge in mind, the ingenious Hot Shot HG -95789 Roach Killer provides a tasty and satisfying last meal (including drink) for a roach by providing both food and water as bait. The poison is so powerful that it can destroy the eggs of even the largest cockroaches.
Each package contains six bait stations and costs less than $1.50 each. Simply place the baits in areas where cockroaches have been observed or in other places the insects frequent, such as under the sink or in closets.
Once a month, check the stations to make sure they still have bait in them (if not, you know the roaches have had a big hit). If it’s empty, simply replace it with another bait station.
Types of Roach Killers
It is not difficult to be overwhelmed by the number of cockroach control products on the market. Boric acid, a white powder made from boron, is a common remedy.
Boric acid kills cockroaches because the chemical causes digestive problems when ingested by pests during normal grooming.
Gel baits, which come in the form of small gel tubes, can also be used because they are laced with a poison that kills the insects. Cockroaches are attracted to gel baits because they look like food, and after consuming the bait, they perish.
They contain an insecticide that kills any cockroaches that come in contact with them. When choosing a roach control product, pay attention to the type of substance that will be most effective in your home.
Are Roach Killers Worth It?
Cockroaches are probably not your favorite critters if you are like the average person. Not only are these pests unsightly, but they also pose a health risk and pose a food safety hazard. If you are struggling with a roach infestation, you may be considering whether or not to invest in a roach exterminator.
Cracks and crevices where roaches reside or nest are the most effective places to apply roach control products. Cockroaches can be kept out of your home if you apply the product outdoors.
In addition, cockroach poison is completely safe for households with children and pets when used as directed. If you want to get rid of cockroaches for good, you need to use a product that contains both an attractant and an insecticide. This will attract the cockroaches into the trap, where they will be killed instantly.
How To Shop For The Best Roach Killer
There are several factors to consider when choosing an effective cockroach control product. Taking these considerations into account should help you find the most effective roach spray.
- The size of the area to be treated is an important factor to consider. A cockroach trap or bait station may be sufficient if your infestation is quite small. If you have a larger infestation, you may need a stronger treatment, such as an aeroside.
- Determine what you want from a product. Do you want an area-specific gel? Instead, perhaps a dust or aeroside that can be used anywhere in the house would be better for you.
- Consider what you like best: some people have no problem using synthetic chemicals, while others prefer to avoid them.
FAQ
How long does it take for a roach killer to work?
There are a number of different cockroach control products on the market, all with slightly different mechanisms of action. There are cockroach killers that are applied directly to the insects and those that are sprayed around the house to kill cockroaches before they can enter.
When selecting a cockroach control product, the active ingredient is the most important factor. Boric acid and pyrethrin are the two main active ingredients in cockroach control products. Boric acid kills cockroaches because it takes away their water content.
Pyrethrin, on the other hand, is a neurotoxin that paralyzes and kills insects by interfering with their nervous systems. Boric acid is more effective than pyrethrin, but it can take up to two weeks for cockroaches to die after being exposed to the poison.
Pyrethrin, on the other hand, kills faster but is also more dangerous to humans and pets. Therefore, you should choose a cockroach control product that does the job but is also harmless to people and pets.
How do you clean up after killing a roach?
The fastest and most reliable way to get rid of cockroaches is to use a cockroach killer. Contact with the chemicals in cockroach killers poses potential health hazards, so it’s important to know how to clean up afterward.
After administering cockroach poison, it’s important to ventilate the area and wash your hands. It’s advisable to protect your skin and lungs by putting on gloves and a mouth guard when working with toxic substances. Dead cockroaches can be eliminated after the room is properly ventilated.
As an added precaution, place them in a sealed bag or container before discarding. Cockroach control can be done safely and efficiently with a little attention.
How We Chose The Best Roach Killers
To make sure we know all the brands that are out there, we research extensively on the Internet and with the industry’s leading online retailers before making a final decision.
We consider many factors, such as customer feedback, star ratings, brand philosophy, production methods, raw materials, and ease of accessibility. We take the time to think through the pros and cons so you don’t have to.
