What is the best roach killer? It is important that the solution targets the entire population of roaches and can be placed in such hard-to-reach areas as cracks and crevices. If you have pets and kids, consider the product’s safety. Bait gels have proved to be the most effective poison. This is the only type of bait that kills roaches at all stages since nymphs can eat only gels. We believe that Advion Cockroach Poison Gel Bait fits all the above-mentioned criteria.
This guide covers TOP best roach killers, including all sorts of poison baits, traps, sprays, foggers, and insect growth regulators. They all are designed to kill these insects but do it in their particular way: some solutions knock down immediately on contact, others act slowly so that the poison could eliminate other members of the colony. You will also learn in which situations what kind of solution is preferable, how to use them and when to call an exterminator. A comparison chart will help you make a choice.
Washing dishes, taking out the trash, and sealing openings is a good idea but this will not work with the roaches that have already infested the area. Another problem is that they spend little time out in the open, preferring to hide in hard-to-reach areas. And this is where roach killers come into play.
Best Roach Killers
Types Of Roach Killers: How Do They Work | Effectiveness
Now, let’s have a look at what types roach killers are there, how they work and what is the difference between them.
1. Eradicate the entire population
Poison gel baits and gel bait stations never kill their victims instantly, they eliminate almost the entire pest population due to the fact that the cockroaches spread the poison with their kin rather than merely consuming it by themselves. However, experts from the University of Oklahoma note that granular baits, though a good choice, will not be consumed by the cockroach nymphs and extermination will be incomplete. This makes bait gels the most effective option as they can be digested by nymphs and placed in hard-to-reach places, such as cracks and crevices. The most famous one is Advion with the active ingredient Indoxacarb. Scientific studies from Purdue University show that a single dose of this compound is capable to annihilate 3 generations of roaches.
Effectiveness: 10. Slow, eliminate almost the entire population. Skip to Advion review
2. Natural Powders as the Safest Solution
You have two options here: diatomaceous earth and boric acid. The former damages the waxy coating of the insect’s body, making it die from dehydration.
Boric acid exterminates pests at an extremely slow pace (as they poison and dehydrate them) yet they manage to eliminate the entire population. The entomologists believe that boric acid is one of the best non-toxic and one of the most human ways to eliminate cockroaches. Moreover, it is cut-rate and affordable.
Scientists at the University of Nebraska stress that “Cockroaches ingest boric acid when they preen themselves after they have walked through the powder. Cockroaches die because boric acid is a slow-acting stomach poison. Because boric acid also absorbs the cockroach cuticle wax, they may also die from dehydration. Although boric acid is relatively safe to humans and other mammals, it can be harmful if accidentally ingested and must be kept away from food, children and pets.”
Effectiveness: 10. Slow, eliminate the entire population. Skip to natural powders review
3. Sprays Killing Roaches on Contact
Killer sprays finish off only those pests that were directly affected by it. Do not spray all around the house, target only those areas where roach feces have been noticed. Still, this is one of the least effective methods. Not only do sprays have a short-term effect, but they also repel cockroaches, forcing them to hide deeper where they keep on reproducing.
Effectiveness: 5. Fast, but can kill only few roaches. Skip to sprays review
4. Sticky Roach Traps
Sticky glue traps can only help eliminate trapped pests. You’d better use it as an additional treatment and monitoring measure. Place them in the places where faces have been found as well as next to the food and water sources.
Effectiveness: 5. Fast, but can kill only few roaches. Skip to traps review
5. Insect Growth Regulators (IGR) Targeting Future Populations
IGR products sterilize adult and stop the larvae growth. The population will die out very slowly. This type of treatment is recommended to be used as a complementary measure.
Effectiveness: 10. Extremely slow (four to six weeks), insects cannot reproduce. Skip to IGR review
TOP Best Roach Killers: Die! Die! Die, Horrible Creatures!
1. OUR TOP PICK — advion 383920 4 Tubes and 4 Plungers Cockroach German Roach Pest Control Inse
Why should you try it? Advion has been scientifically tested, with the results showing an absence of any evidence of roach activity, in comparison with a 20-percent infestation rate in the houses that were not treated with this insecticide.
Here is the most popular cockroach control product. Advion gel bait is loved and trusted by consumers. It is #1 Best Seller in Pest Control Baits & Lures category. According to a study published by the University of Florida Digital Collections, Advion® is widely used for German cockroach control in the U.S. It has high rating, and there are more than 10000 customer reviews. No rival product has so much feedback.
The active ingredient is this bait is Indoxacarb, 0.6% which attracts and then kills the roaches. You should know, this chemical substance has an expiry date of 2 years after the manufacturing date. The pack will hardly last longer, though.
The manufacturer recommends applying 0.5 g doses of gel 10 ft apart from each other. 3-5 such dozes will suffice even for the most infested house, and a regular infestation requires 1-3 drops of this gel. The poison exterminates a dozen of different types of insects, including the most spread types of cockroaches.
91% of customers claim that this product is useful; therefore Advion can be called the best roach killer. Consumers also state that using this poison 3-4 times per year is enough for fully controlling a cockroach infestation at home. Most of the insects die within a week. It is also mentioned that this gel needs to be hidden somewhere inaccessible for pets and small children and should never be placed near food.
We have used Advion ourselves, and we join those 91% of users who find it to be the most effective roach killer. We strongly recommend it to you, as thankfully now we are free from cockroaches!
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One of the users discovered the best way to apply the substance: “I did not apply it as was recommended. I don’t like having poison applied to surfaces. I took bottle caps and plastic container covers and put the Advion in them and put them on the surfaces where I had seen roaches scooting about. In about a week, I noticed a decline in numbers. I threw away the baited bottle caps and replaced them with fresh baited caps. I did this weekly for about two months.”
Advion Roach Gel Bait: Check the current price
If it is important for you that a poison gel is safely concealed from kids and pets, you can use ready-to-use Advion Cockroach Bait Stations packed in small plastic arenas (traps).
Why should you try it? You should use it for safety reasons as neither kids nor pets will be able to reach the poison. It is based on Indoxacarb which kills up to 3 generations of roaches with a single feeding. Easy to handle. Odorless.
Advion Roach Bait Stations: Check the current price
Actually, we might end our review right here. As the Advion has left it’s competitors far behind. Today it is the best selling product for eliminating cockroaches. However, we’ll continue our review for we’ve promised to describe all of the products for getting rid of roaches.
2. Rockwell Labs – Invict Gold – Cockroach Gel
Here’s another product. It is also supplied with 4 tubes 35 grams each. This product is made by a well-known manufacturer on the insecticide market. The important thing about this killing gel is that it is not supposed to be used for exterminating insects, other than German roaches or cockroaches. Imidacloprid 2.15%, the active chemical, is guaranteed to eliminate them.
Both the manufacturer and the customers warn that every user absolutely must read the label before using the gel.
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Why should you try it? If your house is infested with German cockroaches, this is the best bet for you.
Invict: (4-pack) Check the current price
3. Combat Source Kill Max Roach Killing Gel
This thick tube of gel is very affordable. Unlike Advion, it is only supplied with one poisonous stick. It is applied the same way, the bait is to be replaced monthly. Many users are confused by the instant drying of Combat, but experienced customers claim that gel works even when dry unless it dried inside the syringe (you’ll have a hard time uncorking it).
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Why should you try it? This is a combination of an effective method (gel) and a well-established brand (Combat).
Combat Killing Gel: (2-pack) Check the current price
Best Roach Traps
Traps are rated next in terms of popularity and effectiveness. As a rule, sets of tiny traps are very cut-rate, with one interesting exception.
4. Black Flag Roach Motel Insect Trap
Why should you try it? You will kill two birds with one stone. While being a good way of killing some cockroaches, traps can be used to reveal the areas where these pests are most active.
This product with it’s comical “Roach Motel” name is very popular with customers. This is a set of 12 traps, each of which lasts 4 months.
The cool thing about it is that the dead cockroaches disappear in this “motel” and you don’t get to see their corpses. Many women (and even men) are merely afraid of dead cockroaches: they are disgusting not only to touch but even to look at.
This motel “welcomes” not only cockroaches but also aquatic beetles, spiders and even scorpions (which is a big plus for the residents of the southern regions).
The idea of “Black Flag” is very simple. Insects are attracted by an attractant inside the box, and they cannot get out, and thus they die of hunger. In addition, the inside of the box is designed in such a way that the insects get injured when they attempt to get out. The effectiveness of the system is confirmed by the dozens of comments from real customers.
Some of the users were able to find weak spots of this motel, though: “The downside to this product, at least in regards to American roaches, is that the trap alone is not enough because 1) the large roaches can live up to a month without food, and 2) they will tear body parts off to get out of this trap long before they die of starvation. Since it was evident that the roach would eventually rip off enough body parts to escape, I got the bright idea to spray the roach with an insecticide and then replace the trap with a fresh one. This resulted in wetting the adhesive, allowing the roach to free itself and try to scurry off. I ended up having to squash it with a broom. So be aware that these are single-use traps for large roaches”.
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Black Flag Roach Motel Traps: Check the current price
5. ALAZCO 6 Glue Traps
Why should you try it? This is a cheap and simple way of monitoring these pests or dealing with an insignificant infestation.
The main advantage of glue traps is that they are simple to use and completely safe. For less than $10, you will get a set of 6 cardboard traps covered with adhesive tape on the inside. No hi-tech or innovations are involved, this is a traditional method.
The gluey area is small: only 4.5×6.5 inches. The manufacturers assure users that this will be enough to catch dozens of insect. It’s funny that this thing can be called a transformer. You can use it either flat or fold it up to get an enclosed trap. The manufacturer uses a slight chocolate smell as an attractant, however, it is a very faint one.
The customers recommend setting up the trap carefully so that you don’t get your finger in the glue. The most meticulous users even recommend not relying on such traps as a universal product against insects. According to them, you have to first destroy the nests of the insects if the cockroach infestation is severe, instead of implementing some aesthetical measures.
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ALAZCO Glue Traps: Check the current price
Natural Cockroach Killer Powders
In case you stake on natural solutions, this is the best bet for you. Safe for humans and pets, the product has a long-lasting effect keeping on killing roaches even in a month following the first application.
The powder can be delivered in hard-to-reach areas by means of a puffer with extended straw. But powders, like boric acid & diatomaceous earth should not be injected into electronic equipment as the dust could damage the components.
6. HARRIS Boric Acid Roach and Silverfish Killer Powder w/Lure
Why should you try it? This is good alternative to heavy insecticides.
To entice insects, the product contains a special lure to which the pests do not become resistant.
Although being a long-lasting solution, boric acid is a slow-acting insecticide killing insects within a couple of days. Effectiveness of boric acid as a stomach poison for cockroaches: from 24 to 48 hours.
Boric Acid interferes with the digestive system of the affected cockroach and also clings to its body what eventually kills others once the insect is back to the colony.
Consumers note that it really takes some time to kill the whole colony but the solution does the job. Some users warn against putting the powder down where pets and kids can get to it. “Unlike most other commercially available roach solutions, this is the most cost effective, absolutely superior method of ridding your house of roaches,” a satisfied customer concluded.
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Harris Boric Acid Roach Powder With Lure: Check the current price
7. Safer 51703 Diatomaceous Earth
Another natural solution formulated as dust is diatomaceous earth which is also suggested by scientists for cockroach control. A four-pound bag containing the powder based on D.E. is available approximately at the same price as boric acid.
Why should you try it? This is the safest solution on this list.
It kills cockroaches by dehydration after the powder is ingested and can be used both inside and outside the house. As boric acid, diatomaceous earth does not develop the insects’ resistance to the product because no chemical substance is included in the formula.
D.E. has the same level of popularity: “Never could even think of getting rid of the roaches in my apt. Until now. Dusted twice and they are gone. I can’t believe how easy it was plus no toxicity,” one customer wrote. Another user specified that from his experience diatomaceous earth had not killed all cockroaches, however, he noted a dramatic decrease in their number.
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Safer Brand Diatomaceous Earth: Check the current price
Best Roach Traps, Liquid Bait and Sprays
8. Hot Shot HG-95789 Roach Killer
Why should you try it? You should use it for safety reasons as neither kids nor pets will be able to reach the poison.
This solution is designed for cockroaches of all sizes and stages, which means you will be able to launch a real crackdown on these disgusting pests. What I particularly like about this product is a liquid bait technology it utilizes.
You know, these guys can survive a nuclear war, can do without food for a month but they cannot survive without water. You may have noticed them gathering around the sink or other moist areas so you can imagine what a powerful attractant it is.
What Hot Shot’s developers have done? They have combined water and food to make the bait much more attractive than the traditional ones. For a better result, you should place bait stations (you have 6 pieces in the pack) along the wall, under sinks, and beneath electrical appliances.
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Hot Shot Liquid Bait: Check the current price
Tablets and Insect Growth Regulator
If you don’t trust modern chemistry, or you feel pity for cockroaches to be killed, we’ll tell you about the oldest cockroach control product, which is 80 years old. We’ll also devote some time to the sterilizer which doesn’t cause the death of an insect but makes the females infertile and thus stops insects’ breeding.
9. Harris Roach Tablets, Boric Acid Roach Killer with Lure
Why should you try it? If you want to use a natural solution but do not like the idea of sprinkling powder all around the house, this option is for you.
Harris sells old anti-roach tablets. Even our grandparents used Harris Tablets. The principle of action and the composition haven’t changed since. You’ll find about 100 tablets in a box which have to be put in the places where there are most cockroaches. The tablets don’t exude any unpleasant odors or harmful spirits; they simply lie there and wait to be eaten by the roach.
However, they definitely have to be hidden from pets and toddlers. They don’t attract cats and dogs, though, but kids can be drawn by them, and, in that case, the kid will be seriously harmed.
As a rule, people place the tablets into the fridge, on the furniture, windowsills, in the gaps, behind the trash bin and sink, in the bathroom and on other objects.
The more tablets are used simultaneously, the more dead cockroaches the happy users will find.
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Harris Tablets: Check the current price
10. Gentrol Point Source IGR ZOE1007
Why should you try it? This is a long-term solution that will help you to prevent new generations of roaches from appearing.
Gentrol IGR Discs is a hybrid of a bait and pure poison. We have a sterilizer which affects cockroaches without killing them. All you have to do is put the small white planks in the apartment, open them by pressing on a designated spot on the case, and wait.
The chemical will spread over your place and sterilize the roaches. It also regulates the growth of born eggs and larvae. They will never grow up.
The customers complain that no manual is provided, and thus they have to rely on their own sixth sense in handling it. Both the official description and the reviews state that the discs are to be replaced every 90 days and that each of them covers an area of 75 sq. ft. Inside the discs, you can find hydroprene which limits the insects’ growth.
As for the reviews, many of the customers recommend using Gentrol as a supplement to the traps and poisons. The latter will eliminate parent insects, and Gentrol will finish off the offspring.
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Gentrol IGR: Check the current price
Roach Sprays – the Fast Way to Eliminate Roaches
Let’s now move on to the most traditional product used by our parents. Sprays have really proven themselves over time!
11. Raid Ant & Roach Killer Lemon Scent
Why should you try it? Sprays can be helpful in situations where the infestation is low. So killing tens of insects per day you can decrease their population to some extent.
It works as fast as possible and kills the insects once it comes in contact with them. The smell of the poison disappears quickly which is another advantage.
The smell of Raid Killer isn’t that bad though as it contains lime aroma. The main peculiarity of this killer is that it is also highly effective against ants. A “2-in-1” spray at a low price is what makes it so popular.
Such express-killing has its disadvantages too. It has been proven that chain reaction doesn’t work with this spray, i.e. when you spray it over 10 cockroaches, you will exterminate exactly 10 cockroaches. They won’t reach the nest and contaminate 100 other insects. That’s why don’t waste it and spray the most infested spots with it.
Raid is especially popular with the farmers as they have to get rid of all types of insects: ants, flies and mosquitoes. Frankly speaking, we weren’t able to find a single negative review of Raid.
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Raid Aerosol: Check the current price
12. Ortho 0196410 Home Defense MAX Insect Killer Spray for Indoor and Home Perimeter
Why should you try it? This is a good way to create a barrier in the kitchen or near the children’s room.
Yet another universal poison – Ortho. This spray doesn’t use gas: this is simply a poisonous liquid which needs to be sprayed with an aerosol.
It eliminates and repels over 130 species of insects (most often it is used against ants, roaches, and spiders). The price for Home Defense is very affordable. This mixture not only acts as an instant poison, but it also serves as a repellent.
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Ortho Home Defense: Check the current price
13. Raid Max Bug Barrier Trigger Starter Kit
Why should you try it? This is a very powerful spray killing insects on contact.
You probably know this well-established brand, but I would like to draw your attention to other advantages of this product. It has a long residue lasting for up to a year, however, you should remember that all sprays kill only immediately after the application. After that, the insecticide can only repel.
And this is a sort of automatic spray as it comes with batteries and has an auto trigger. On top of that, you can treat insects outside the house and it will be effective.
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Johnson RAID MAX Bug Barrier: Check the current price
14. Hot Shot HG-20177 No Mess!
Why should you try it? If you have seen a lot of adult roaches traveling through your room or kitchen, this fogger will work like a magic wand for you.
The fogger works on the same principle as the mentioned-above sprays — killing only those pests that come into contact with the insecticide. So what is the difference?
Foggers convert the insecticide into tiny particles so that they can penetrate into the deepest hidden places, like crevices and cracks. However, this means that fogging has a stronger repelling effect as well. This product uses a dry fog technology.
The solution does not stain surfaces, nor does it has a palpable odor. The main downside of this product is that it is not safe for people. Not only do you inhale these toxic particles, there is also a risk of explosion when the device is used improperly.
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Hot Shot Fogger: Check the current price
Other Good Roach Killing Gels & Baits
The range of gels available on the insecticide market is very wide. Advion has half a dozen rivals which are very similar, and the only difference is the chemical composition and price. Let’s take a short glance at the main products available on the market.
15. Combat Roach Killing Bait
This product is well-known, it looks like plastic pucks with 4-8 entrances and exits for insects which, being attracted by the bait, run there, feed there and die along with their mates. These things used to be more popular than gels.
They are not easy to place somewhere inaccessible, but kids and pets will have a hard time taking the poison out of the small plastic box. The customer rating of bait stations is substantially lower than that of gels!
It is obvious that the target audience is young parents, as even the name of the product mentions that it is “child-resistant”.
What else do you need to know about Combat? It exterminates both small and large cockroaches of different types, doesn’t require any special installation and exterminates its victim within hours. This is one of the fastest products besides the instant ones.
Customers claim that Combat Bait Station can also help get rid of water bugs and “palmetto bugs“. Despite unclear instructions, you needn’t use all 8 stations simultaneously: everything depends on the dimensions of the room and the degree of infestation. Of course, a single station won’t be enough even for the smallest room.
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Why should you try it? You should use it for safety reasons as neither kids nor pets will be able to reach the poison.
Combat Bait Station: Check the current price
Expert Opinion: Dr. Nicky Gallagher, Urban Entomologist
Dr. Nicky Gallagher, Urban Entomologist
Dr. Nicky Gallagher is an Urban Entomologist and technical service manager for the Northeast and Northwest for Syngenta professional pest management, a company offering products for commercial, residential, and farm pest control.
“Baits are a preferred type of formulation, especially for the control of cockroaches. And I think we have this precise placement in areas that are away from contact with human populations, especially children. We are typically looking at a reduced rate of active ingredients and this all poses less risk to consumers and the environment compared to some other formulations. So when we are using baits, the biggest advantage is this high success rate and the level of control that we achieve when we incorporate it into our program. With baits, we have much better ease of use, a lot more flexibility. Whether it will go for commercial, residential or schools, bait can play a role in all of those. And with all of the new chemistries that we have today, we continue to evolve. So we have baits that are extremely attractive and give this high success rate of control”.
Roach Poison Baits, Traps, Powders and Sprays Comparison Chart
Action Speed: Does It Instantly Kill the Cockroaches? – No | Effectiveness: Does it Eliminate the Entire Population? – Yes, within a week 
Action Speed: Does It Instantly Kill the Cockroaches? – No | Effectiveness: Does it Eliminate the Entire Population? – Yes, within several weeks 
Action Speed: Does It Instantly Kill the Cockroaches? – No | Effectiveness: Does it Eliminate the Entire Population? – Yes, within several weeks 
Action Speed: Does It Instantly Kill the Cockroaches? – No | Effectiveness: Does it Eliminate the Entire Population? – Yes, within several weeks 
Action Speed: Does It Instantly Kill the Cockroaches? – No | Effectiveness: Does it Eliminate the Entire Population? – Only trapped pests 
Action Speed: Does It Instantly Kill the Cockroaches? – No | Effectiveness: Does it Eliminate the Entire Population? – No 
Action Speed: Does It Instantly Kill the Cockroaches? – On contact | Effectiveness: Does it Eliminate the Entire Population? – Yes, within several weeks 
Action Speed: Does It Instantly Kill the Cockroaches? – On ingestion and/or dehydration within 48 hours | Effectiveness: Does it Eliminate the Entire Population? – Kills insects contacted with DE 
Action Speed: Does It Instantly Kill the Cockroaches? – Yes, within hours | Effectiveness: Does it Eliminate the Entire Population? – Yes, it kills adults and eggs 
Action Speed: Does It Instantly Kill the Cockroaches? – No | Effectiveness: Does it Eliminate the Entire Population? – Yes, but slowly, within several weeks or months 
Action Speed: Does It Instantly Kill the Cockroaches? – Sterilizes cockroaches and thus prevents larvae growth and stops the breeding cycle | Effectiveness: Does it Eliminate the Entire Population? – Yes, slowly until the entire population dies naturally 
Action Speed: Does It Instantly Kill the Cockroaches? – On contact | Effectiveness: Does it Eliminate the Entire Population? – No, only sprayed pests 
Action Speed: Does It Instantly Kill the Cockroaches? – On contact, additional repelling effect | Effectiveness: Does it Eliminate the Entire Population? – No, only sprayed pests 
Action Speed: Does It Instantly Kill the Cockroaches? – On contact, additional repelling effect | Effectiveness: Does it Eliminate the Entire Population? – No, only sprayed pests 
Action Speed: Does It Instantly Kill the Cockroaches? – Yes | Effectiveness: Does it Eliminate the Entire Population? – No 
Action Speed: Does It Instantly Kill the Cockroaches? – No | Effectiveness: Does it Eliminate the Entire Population? – Yes, within several weeks How to Use Roach Killers
To buy the right product is half the battle. What you should understand is that only the proper use of roach killers will get you the win. Now, let’s elaborate on these types.
Bait gels are very easy to apply at any surface, including hard-to-reach areas. You can safely treat electronics as this substance will not damage them. Experts from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln suggest sticking bait gels to walls or applying them to voids in the wall.
However, they warn that you should change them regularly because gels drying out quickly. When applied without a bait station, gels pose a risk to pets and kinds and, thus, have to be out of their reach.
Apply dusts in very thin layers and focus on enclosed areas where the substance is unavailable to kids and pets. The powder should not be sprinkled inside or beneath electrical appliances as it can damage them. Put on a mask before handling any dusts to avoid inhaling the toxic particles.
Killer sprays. Michael F. Potter, an entomologist from the University of Kentucky, says that it is important to focus on harborage locations, rather than randomly spraying all around the house. A sure sign of such harborage site is a fecal spotting. Do not spray walls, baseboards, and floors because roaches do not stay there long enough to receive a lethal dose.
Traps should be placed in the areas where faces have been found as well as next to the food and water sources. It is essential to remember where and when you have placed this or another trap. That is why you should not rely solely on your memory.
Mark the date and locations of traps as well as the number of the captured insects. This will help you identify their harborage places and measure your success. If no roach was caught within two nights, reposition the trap.
Foggers. Do not use more foggers than it is needed for the treated space as this involves an increased risk of a fire. Nor should you fog in small-sized enclosed areas, such as cabinets. Water and food items must be removed before you start a fogger. Air out the room and clean the floor after the treatment is over.
What is the best roach killer?
For hard-to-reach-places
Dusts can penetrate into the most narrow crevices as well as behind furniture items. Use a puffer with an extended straw to get as deep as possible. A 16-ounce bottle of Harris Boric Acid would be the best option for such areas.
For cars
Use baits to get rid of these pests in your vehicle. Stick them under the seats, along the car frames and around electronic equipment. Choose Hot Shot Ultra Liquid Bait as it contains both food and liquid attractant. This will be particularly effective in the car where there is no other water source available for the insects.
For home
Bait gels will be a wise choice for home, especially the kitchen. As a rule, the most severe infestation occurs indoors where there is a favorable environment for these pests. Being the most effective solution, bait gels can be applied both with or without a station. The latter is the safest option so we recommend you to place Advion Cockroach Bait Arena.
For drains
The first thing you should do id to manually clean the drain with the use of a detergent. After that, apply a barrier spray along the perimeter. There is a number of such products in the market but we would recommend you Ortho 0196410 Home Defense.
For yards
For outdoors, choose a spray designed for its usage not only inside but also outside the house. Such products have a longer-term effect and are more powerful. In this case, the best bet for you will be a brand-name Johnson RAID MAX Bug Barrier that has a long residue and a convenient automatic trigger.
For the kitchen
It will not be sensible to spray or place bait stations all over a large house. Since the kitchen is the most attractive place to roaches, we advise you to take an integrated approach. In order to kill the existing bugs, use Harris Tablets. They are based on natural ingredients and safe to use near the food preparation areas. The, apply Gentrol Point Source IGR ZOE1007 to sterilize the survivors and prevent future generations of pests from appearing.
For restaurants
Typically, restaurants attract more cockroaches than any kitchen in the house. This requires a more forceful response as well. We recommend using foggers in restaurants as the fogged insecticide covers a large area and penetrates into the smallest crevices. For example, Hot Shot No-Mess! Fogger would be a good option.
For garages
We recommend you use a combination of methods — Harris Boric Acid Tablets and the Black Flag Roach Motel Insect Trap. The bugs can carry the tablets into their nests or feed on them right on the spot. While the high-capacity trap can house quite a lot of roaches at a time.
For electronics
Keep in mind that you should not spray deep inside the infested device as you may damage its electronics. Treat the area around the opening where you have seen the bugs. Raid Roach Killer will be suitable for that as its effect lasts for about a months. On top of that, it has a pleasant lemon scent so your device will not smell like an oil derrick.
When to call an exterminator?
If a roach infestation is severe, you should better call a pest control professional. The main advantage of hiring an exterminator instead of trying to get rid of roaches on your own is safety. Not only do they know where exactly and how much insecticide should be applied, but they will also do it as safe for you as possible.
Can we trust exterminators? Again, it depends on you. Make sure that you check the company’s license and read a contract thoroughly. Call to several companies to compare their services and prices.
Scientists from the University of California note that a good pest control company will first offer you the least toxic solution. They are likely to come up with a long-term plan that involves changing habitat, sealing openings, and other prevention measures. Apart from that, it is important that the contract stipulates monitoring after the treatment.
Prevention Measures: What Can You Do To Keep Roaches From Settling In Your House
They can get into your house through small cracks, openings, pipes, and other places. You may have homegrown cockroaches, which is often the case due to the fact that these guys reproduce like crazy. Revealing their shelter is equally important for a successful pest control strategy.
The National Pesticide Information Center mentions the following most common shelters for cockroaches: cracks in the walls, areas beneath and behind kitchen appliances and sinks as well as dark spaces in the furniture items.
Experts with Urban and Structural Entomology Program at Texas A&M University remind that prevention measures are more effective and easy to implement than the treatment of the existing infestation. So what should you do to keep these disgusting pests away?
STEP#1. Inspect your home regularly to find out where they hide. Use traps as a monitoring tool.
STEP#2. Clean your house, especially the areas around furniture and sinks. Wash dishes and do not leave food uncovered.
STEP#3. Keep garbage in tightly closed containers and dispose of it regularly.
STEP#4. A pet bowl should be removed as soon as the animal finishes its meal.
STEP#5. Seal all cracks in the foundation and walls. Pay attention to areas around pipes, windows, doors, and an air conditioner.
STEP#6. larger openings should be closed with a mesh and sealed as well.
STEP#7. Repair leaking pipes.
FAQ
What is an electronic roach killer effectiveness?
Actually, they repel, not kill. These electronic devices emitting ultrasound to frighten off various pests. And frankly, their effectiveness is quite questionable. There is a study conducted to test an ultrasonic repeller developed by the Kansas State University. The results showed that such devices could not be considered a “promising tool” for repelling German cockroaches.
Should I use an essential oil?
Not all essential oil components have similar efficacy. Studies have shown that Thymol is the most toxic one to cockroaches while Pinene is the least effective solution against the bugs.
Can roach poison kill cats or dogs?
Baits can be appealing not only to bugs but pets as well. And of the main problems with bug killers is that they can be lethal to pets as well. The outcome depends on the dose and whether the pet is allergic. Which is why you should take care that the baits you place in the house cannot be reached by your cats or dogs. Read more home tips.
15 thoughts on “TOP-16 Best Roach Killers: Poison Baits, Traps, Powders and Sprays [UPDATED 2022] Buyer’s Guide”
I’m using Advion Cockroach Gel Bait, but it’s useless! There is not a single dead cockroach! Why is it so?
This gel is considered to be one of the most effective treatments against cockroaches so if it does not work in your situation, then you are doing something wrong. If the cockroaches are still alive and keep on moving, make sure first that you have thoroughly cleaned your entire place (e.g. kitchen), removed the leftovers as well as the source of moisture. There should be nothing left to attract the cockroaches! Also make sure that there are no traces of previously used cockroach insecticides (should you have used them) on the area to be treated. Cockroaches will never approach gel bait, if they smell synthetic chemical smell nearby!
Spread a bit of gel in those places where there are most cockroaches: in the cabinets under the sink, niches behind the kitchen furniture and between the tables, behind the refrigerator, in the corners, and so on. Next, wait until these creepers starve. It will work.
The cockroaches don’t instantly die of gel! It takes some time for them to get contaminated and to spread the poisonous bait around their nest among the fellows which are also destined to die. You’ll have to wait for at least a week (as the manufacturer claims). Moreover, this isn’t Raid which kills the cockroaches on contact; you might not even see cockroach corpses as they will die in their nest after consuming the bait.
Do I need to use cockroach bait to lure them into a sticky trap like Trapper Insect Trap?
No, it isn’t necessary as the main requirement of catching the cockroaches is to be a strategic thinker and to place the traps right where the insects run. They cling with their paws tightly to the sticky surface trap and cannot get out of this deadly den. Some people, however, try to use random food bait, but they then agree that sticky traps work better without bait than with it. That’s why if your place is over-infested with cockroaches, get plenty of traps and place them next to the door, on the stairs, next to the computer system unit, the monitor, refrigerator, simply put, everywhere! These traps are non-toxic, so don’t worry.
Can Advion Gel be applied onto the cupboards next to the food and cutlery? Is it safe?
You’d better not use this product in the proximity to opened produce, near the dishes or cutler. It is nevertheless a cockroach poison so you should exclude any possibility of its getting into your body. Try to find secluded spots farther away from food and secure all of the produce nearby just in case so that the cockroaches don’t have a slightest chance to get even a piece of gel on it. If you follow these precautions, you can be safe.
In addition to cockroaches I’ve got some silverfish at home. Will Combat Source Kill Max R2 Large Roach Bait help to get rid of them or do I need a special product?
It’s the latter. Combat Roach Bait is not a universal type of treatment as the manufacturer claims that this bait station will only help you eliminate large cockroaches, palmetto bugs and water bugs. It won’t kill silverfish as you need to destroy them by using powders, liquid insecticides, traps etc.
I’ve noticed that after a while gel bait becomes harder. Do the cockroaches eat it? Should I replace it with new gel drops?
Unfortunately, the gel dries in a couple of days, but it continues to work, as the cockroaches still run to it and eat it, this is true. To prevent the gel from drying you can try this trick: add some peanut butter into a drop of gel to keep its softness for a longer period and even to make it more attractive to the cockroaches. I hope my advice helps, good luck!
Our kitchen has both infestation with ants & roaches. More roaches than ants.
I fear that the death of the roaches will lead to more population in ants.
Any thoughts on if the poison killing the cockroaches might repel ants or am I looking at a complex problem?
If I saw a roach crawlin and I hhave gel poison that don’t kill instantly should I kill it or no
combat does not do the job anymore it use to work gentrol IGR and advion gel bait works the best now!
Advion Gel Byte is the only remedy that saved my house from cockroaches. I used to try a lot, but nothing helped. I bought several packages, and gradually all the cockroaches “left”. I recommend!