Best Roach Killer: The Complete Guide To Eliminating Cockroaches

Ed Wike
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In a way, roaches are amazing. Not because we love disgusting creepy-crawlies, but because they have managed to survive, adapt, and thrive in almost every imaginable habitat.

They’ve survived mass-extinction incidents, ice ages, meteorite impacts, and probably even dinosaur extinction.

Today, they live in every environment, from the desert to the mountains, forests to jungles, and the Arctic to the deepest depths of the ocean.

That’s right, the ocean — the ocean makes up over 70% of the planet.

In fact, there is a species of cockroach that lives pretty much underwater, collects air in its abdomen, then uses that air to breathe.

Needless to say, there’s no place roaches won’t go. If it’s warm and their is food, you’ll be able to find them.

Everywhere!

Maybe that’s what scientists call convergent evolution — it’s like all living things want to be a cockroach.

NameCategoryProduct
Syngenta – H-AP-2319890Best OverallSyngenta - H-AP-2319890
Harris Roach TabletsBudget PickHarris Roach Tablets
Raid Max Ant and Roach SprayUpgrade PickRaid Max Ant and Roach Spray

1. Syngenta – H-AP-2319890

Our rating: 9 / 10

Syngenta - H-AP-2319890

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Pros:

  • Safe to use in and around your home
  • Oil-based, so it won’t leave a mess
  • Last 11-12 weeks
  • Ideal for use in kitchens and bathrooms
  • Very easy to use

Cons:

  • Expensive, but well worth the cost
  • Only one size available
  • You'll need a special applicator to set these traps

Multi-box Offer: 10 Envelopes (90g) containing 40 (2.67 ounces) packets – Packaging May Vary!

There are many roach killers and roach control products on the market, but this should be your first and last choice. Why? Because Demon Roach Killing Bait Gel provides a very attractive long-lasting solution to killing cockroaches. It is a very unique gel that contains an oily substance that is extremely attractive to roaches. The gel also contains a very strong insecticide that when eaten essentially burns them from the inside out.

This product is very effective, works very fast, and lasts a very long time. It is also affordable and should provide you with a very long-lasting solution to eliminate roaches in your home.

2. Black Flag TAT Roach Motel Traps

Our rating: 9 / 10

Black Flag TAT Roach Motel Traps

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Pros:

  • Very affordable price
  • Effective in attracting cockroaches
  • Comes in a box
  • The active ingredients are pyribathrum and beta-cyfluthrin are the active ingredients

Cons:

  • The traps are not for indoor use
  • The traps are not re-usable
  • It is not water-proof

Roach motels are a great way to control cockroaches. This package of roach traps are very effective to lure roaches in.

The roach motel traps work exceptionally in capturing all three types of cockroaches: German, American, and brown-banded. It has active ingredients which is pyribathrum and beta-cyfluthrin.​

This is a large package of 6 traps and the active ingredients kill cockroaches after 4-8 days depending on the temperature levels. It is made of cardboard and it stays fresh.

3. Bengal Chemical 92465 Roach II

Our rating: 8 / 10

Bengal Chemical 92465 Roach II

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Pros:

  • Easy to use gel formula
  • No phosphates and non-staining properties
  • Available in a 9 oz size

The Bengal Roach II is a hydroflurocarbon-based bait gel. It kills all cockroaches without the use of lethal high concentrations of insecticides and with minimal risk to the applicator and our environment. The gel formula makes it easy to apply.

Just place it at key locations within reach of the insects. The Bengal Roach II kills cockroaches of all ages. A single application provides residual protection. The Bengal Roach II is non-staining and non-repellent, and has no odor so it won’t make your home smell of chemicals.

It’s also USDA approved for sale in TX and NM so you’re covered in the rest of the US (excluding the two aforementioned states.) According to customer reviews, Bengal Chemical’s Roach II is not only effective but it’s considered one of the most effective roach killers on the market today.

4. Combat Large and Small Roaches Killing Bait Stations

Our rating: 8 / 10

Combat Large and Small Roaches Killing Bait Stations

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Pros:

  • Effective bait
  • No required monitoring
  • No mess deliveries

Cons:

  • Much more expensive than gel and liquid solutions
  • It may harm pets

The Combat Roach Killing Bait Stations for Cockroaches are a ready-to-use roach bait. They are available in a pack of six, which opens up six spots to place them throughout your house. They are included a spill proof tray, which is ideal for locations with pets and children.

The in-built plastic housing of these stations protects the bait from moisture, light, and air, so they remain in their original condition throughout the day.

There is a bait cup inside each station that contains a sticky, highly palatable bait for cockroaches. The Combat Bait Stations contain the same FDA-registered ingredient that is used in the Combat bait gel.

5. Raid Max Ant and Roach Spray

Our rating: 8 / 10

Raid Max Ant and Roach Spray

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Pros:

  • Available in aerosol cans
  • Good value for the price
  • Can be used indoors or outdoors
  • Can be used on a variety of surfaces
  • Easy to use and non-repellent

The Raid Max is an insecticide spray designed to kill roaches and insects inside and outside the house. It contains a new style of insecticide called Indoxacarb which kills the roaches in any stage.

Indoxacarb is unique in that it is heat resistant and can be active for up to 14 days after being sprayed. The active ingredients used are dichlorvos and tetramethrin.

Dichlorvos is a substance that causes death to the virus of the Central Nervous System (CNS), causing cardiac arrest and respiratory paralysis of the insect. Tetramethrin is a natural poison, found in the pyrethrum flower, which paralyzes the nervous system of insects, causing death through respiratory failure.

6. Trapper Max Glue Traps 12 Glue Boards Trap Mouse Bugs Insects Bed Bugs Spiders Cockroaches Non-Toxic

Our rating: 8 / 10

Trapper Max Glue Traps 12 Glue Boards Trap Mouse Bugs Insects Bed Bugs Spiders Cockroaches Non-Toxic

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Pros:

  • Affordable solution for those with a tight budget
  • Comes with a plastic serving tray
  • Not very messy or smelly
  • Easy to dispose of
  • Leaves no chemical residues behind
  • Effective overnight
  • Uses natural attractants to attract both cockroaches and mice
  • Made in the USA to keep manufacturing processes clean and safe

Cons:

  • Although these glue traps are non-toxic for humans and pets, they are pretty unpleasant to get into contact with and you wouldn’t want a pet (especially a cat) to chew on one accidentally
  • The glue surface does dry out pretty quickly and the glue lures won’t continue to work if that happens

With the Trapper Max Glue Traps, you will never have to worry about cockroaches or mice in your home. It continuously captures insects without leaving traps or sickening sprays behind.

The glue boards act as a virtual flypaper for hundreds of bugs and rodents because it contains a combination of glue and an attractant that oozes out of the boards. The Trapper Max Glue Boards take your local pest control management system to a whole new level with a clean, healthy and non-toxic method for ridding your home of cockroaches and mice for good.

7. Zap-A-Roach Boric Acid Roach and Ant Killer

Our rating: 8 / 10

Zap-A-Roach Boric Acid Roach and Ant Killer

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Pros:

  • Non-toxic insect killer
  • Inflicts death by dehydration
  • Lasts for up to four months
  • Simple to use
  • Safe to use around children and pets

Cons:

  • Not effective against larger roaches
  • Must be treated in the exact right place
  • Disappointing results in the event of repeated exposure to the substance

Boric acid is a natural mineral and a natural roach killer with a unique ability to kill bugs by causing severe dehydration and immobilizing them. As a result, evidence of this is likely to be visible. The substance is completely harmless when it comes to humans and pets with the boric acid staying in a room as opposed to entering the bloodstream.

This product is one of the more popular roach killer products on the market in the sense that it is non-toxic, affordable, and effective.

When used correctly, this product should stop roaches dead in their tracks with the boric acid being an extremely effective insect killer.

8. Gentrol Point Source IGR ZOE1007

Our rating: 8 / 10

Gentrol Point Source IGR ZOE1007

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Pros:

  • Sprays are odorless and non-staining
  • Comes in a variety of pack sizes
  • Kills roaches in tiny cracks and crevices
  • Additive IPM (insect growth regulator)
  • Long residual effects
  • Quickly reduces roach population

Cons:

  • You must use it as part of a comprehensive roach control strategy
  • Permethrin is an active ingredient that may cause skin irritation
  • Effectiveness can take up to a week to be noticeable

If you’re tired of the never-ending battle with your cockroach problem, the Gentrol ZOE1007 provides yet another way to get rid of those pesky insects. This is an ideal alternative to swatters and aerosol sprays if you’d prefer a more chemical-free way to get rid of your roach infestation. Users have praised its effectiveness and report that it keeps the roaches at bay for far longer than many other methods.

The active ingredient is Gentrol which is a non-staining, odorless, flash-dried family of insect growth regulators. They are specifically designed to interrupt the reproductive cycle of different pests. The additive IPM in this spray also helps to hinder the reproductive capabilities of roaches.

9. Control Solutions Inc

Our rating: 8 / 10

Control Solutions Inc

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Pros:

  • Great knock-down power
  • Reasonable price
  • Effective against adult and juvenile stages of cockroaches

Cons:

  • Requires a 3 step application process for adults and nymphs
  • Might be too expensive for some
  • Slow acting in some cases

The Martin's Cockroach Growth Regulator Insect IGR (IGR) is formulated to disrupt the hormonal system of cockroaches of all life stages. This unique insect growth regulator will affect the hormonal control of the cockroach's molting process. The cockroach in the molting process will stop in its tracks. When it resumes, it will emerge a non-infested juvenile cockroach. The next molting process will produce an infested nymph which will also result in a dead nymph.

This product has been tested on German cockroaches and has been proven to be a very effective tool when used as part of an integrated pest management program.

Cockroach populations spreading throughout the world are growing at an alarming rate. This has led to at least 4 different species of cockroaches infesting homes in virtually every region of the United States.

10. Harris Roach Tablets

Our rating: 7 / 10

Harris Roach Tablets

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Pros:

  • Contains borax, a slow-acting poison
  • Contains a food lure to attract cockroaches
  • Non-poisonous and odorless
  • Extremely economical
  • Safe to use with food preparation areas around
  • Completely natural ingredients
  • No mixing or mess

The Harris brand is a widely used brand that offers a special type of roach killer. In the market, the Harris roach killer is a popular choice which is widely used. The Harris roach killer is a pesticide type. It has a very efficient and non-toxic formula in it which can produce positive results.

It is made up of special ingredients which can offer optimum results for this product. The Harris brand provides the best results out of any roach killer. It does not contain any harmful or toxic ingredients in it. It has a special food lure in it which works by activating the food trails that can be used by the roaches to have a distinct path to follow.

Once they follow the ingredients into this Harris roach killer, they will take time to consume this food. After consuming this, the roaches will die after some period of time. This product is a slow application type of poison. Other competitors may not complete this process but Harris brand does have an advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the most effective way to get rid of roaches?

Do you want to get rid of roaches and keep them away for good? Then double your efforts. You can use roach traps, roach sprays, and many other chemical solutions, but you will need to change your life to prevent the roaches from coming back again. If you are not serious about long range eradication of roaches, or you don’t want to spend your money on expensive professional services, your best option is to use a multi-pronged approach to achieve a roach free life.

If you’re not sure how to get rid of roaches for good, then you need to start by reading roach elimination tips. They will give you the solutions you need to eliminate roaches and keep them away for good. Then you will be confident in the approach you take.

What is the strongest over the counter roach killer?

There are several poison baits in stores, but roach poisons are not the only type of weapon against roaches. The best way to keep roaches away is to prevent them from entering your home in the first place by plugging up entryways and sealing cracks.

If they have already invaded your home, it’s best to consult a professional exterminator and ask for the strongest chemical treatment he or she has. You can try to tackle this task yourself, but you should always take care when applying insecticides. Make sure to read the instructions on the label carefully. It’s always best to wear protective gloves and apply the insecticide in small, short bursts.

How do professionals get rid of cockroaches?

One of the most common methods to get rid of cockroaches is cleaning the house. Remove all sources of food and water, and dispose of garbage and sponges. Then apply bait to areas where cockroaches infest and apply insecticides in areas cockroaches frequent. Finally, vacuum the entire house, including cracks and crevices.

Once you’re done with these steps, make sure to perform preventive actions such as regular vacuuming and sealing cracks and crevices to prevent cockroaches from entering the house again.

How do you get rid of cockroaches in Animal Crossing?

There are a few ways that you can get rid of cockroaches but the easiest way is to throw an apple at them.

The best way to get rid of cockroaches is to make sure that you throw an apple at them or make sure that you have a garbage can or a trash can close to the cockroach because they eat a lot and they will die from eating too much.

They also are attracted to puddles so they will sometimes just stay there until they die.

Conclusion

Dead cockroaches might gross you out, but that’s really the only way to get them out of your apartment alive and searching for food, which is a much more disgusting thought. You can’t just hope they leave your house on their own. You have to eliminate them permanently to assure yourself of a roach-free life. It’s important to know which type of roach gels, bombs, and sprays work best to control roach infestations.

Our Recommendation

NameCategoryProduct
Syngenta – H-AP-2319890Best OverallSyngenta - H-AP-2319890
Harris Roach TabletsBudget PickHarris Roach Tablets
Raid Max Ant and Roach SprayUpgrade PickRaid Max Ant and Roach Spray