Cockroach killer a real nuisance and can leave unsightly droppings and egg casings all over the place. Fortunately, there are ways to keep them away, including keeping your home spotlessly clean and storing trash in sealed bins.
To determine the best Cockroach Killer, we reviewed multiple products and spoke to a certified entomologist. Here’s what we found:
1. Baits
Cockroaches are most active at night, when they scuttle from their hiding spots in search of food. Because these pests are excellent at adapting and can live for months without feeding, it’s important to catch them when they’re active so that you can kill them before the infestation reaches critical mass.
The most effective cockroach killer is bait, which targets the insects when they’re most active and vulnerable. Most over-the-counter roach traps feature a food lure enclosed in a trap that’s laced with a slow-release insecticide. Cockroaches will eat the bait and bring it back to their nest, where they will share it with other cockroaches through feces and direct contact, effectively killing the entire colony over time.
Gel baits are another option, although they can be more difficult to install than a trap. These products are typically housed in plastic bait stations or come in a gel formula that you can apply with a syringe along cockroach trails and other favored hiding places.
Powder and dust treatments are also effective, especially in secluded areas where cockroaches like to hide. They work by coating the cockroaches with a fine dust that clings to their legs and other parts of the body as they groom themselves.
2. Sprays
Often sold in aerosol or pump spray form, liquid insecticides kill cockroaches on contact and can be used to quickly tackle individual roaches that you spot. However, they only work on cockroaches that are visible, and won’t take care of the entire colony.
If you’re sick of seeing these nasties skittering around your home, try cleaning up wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms, fixing leaky faucets, and removing clutter. This will help keep food scraps and crumbs out of sight, out of mind, and away from the bugs.
You can also get into the cockroach-killing game with DIY solutions, such as diatomaceous earth (DE). Available as a powder, you sprinkle DE where you’ve seen roaches. The bugs walk over it and ingest the residue, which dries out their exoskeletons. They then carry the DE back to their nests and spread it among the colony. This is a great option for those who want to avoid the chemicals in many traditional sprays. (But be sure to clean up any overspray and avoid getting it on your skin or in your eyes.)
3. Foggers
Cockroach foggers, also called total release or bug bombs, use pyrethroid or pyrethrin pesticide and aerosol propellants to create a dense fog that kills cockroaches and other insects. They are used in confined spaces such as rooms within a home. Foggers are placed in the center of a room on a chair or table and activated by depressing or removing a tab at the top. The aerosol droplets spread quickly and settle on surfaces where cockroaches walk, causing them to die.
When using a bug bomb, it’s important to read the product instructions carefully and follow them closely to reduce your exposure to the chemicals. This is especially true if you have pets or children, who may inhale the fumes or come into contact with them. Breathing the fog can cause irritation of the nose and throat, coughing, headaches, dizziness and nausea.
It’s also essential to open all cupboards, drawers and closets to allow the pesticide to penetrate nooks and crannies where cockroaches hide. It’s a good idea to cover or remove items that can be ingested by children or pets, such as toasters and waxed furniture.
4. Gels
Unlike spray and aerosol insecticides that kill on contact, gel baits are designed to lure pests into eating the bait and carrying it back to their nest or colony where it is shared among the other insects. Typically, the pests are killed within a short period of time. This allows for a domino effect, killing off an entire infestation.
The best cockroach gel bait is formulated with irresistible attractants disguised as food. Cockroaches mistake the bait for their food and ingest it, poisoning themselves while spreading the bait to others in the process. Gel baits are great for treating areas of the home where cockroaches tend to hide, such as behind appliances, and in cracks and crevices.
Advion’s popular roach bait gel uses a non-repellent formula to strongly attract cockroaches and an active ingredient called indoxacarb that remains toxic even after the cockroach dies. Apply a generous amount of the product in cockroach-prone areas, including kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and garages. For best results, tailor your bait placement to the type of cockroach you’re targeting.
5. Traps
If you have a big cockroach problem, you need a comprehensive strategy to eliminate them. Traps can be one of the most effective ways to get rid of roaches, and they’re easy enough for even a beginner to use. Just be sure to regularly check and replace the traps when they’re full.
Consider using a simple wine bottle to lure cockroaches into a trap that you can then duct tape over and kill them. This method works best for a small infestation, and it’s safe for kids and pestemite. Just be sure to empty and discard the dead roaches outside.
Home remedies for cockroaches often have several drawbacks. For example, sprays and aerosols can leave behind a strong odor that can cause respiratory problems in children and adults. And they may not reach all the areas of your home where cockroaches hide, such as inside cabinets and pantry shelves or along baseboards.
Powders are the most affordable roach killer, and they can be very effective too, especially if you apply them thoroughly enough. Our experts like this version from Terro, which claims to work on ants, silverfish, and more in addition to roaches.