Top 5 Roach Killers
Best Application Tools: Advion Pest Control Gel Best Roach Trap: Hot Shot Ultra-Liquid Roach Bait Best For Small Infestations: Raid Roach Gel Best Roach Fogger: Raid Concentrated Deep-Reach Fogger Best Multipurpose Killer: Ortho Home Defense MAX Insect Killer Spray
Best Application Tools: Advion Pest Control Gel
This roach killer gel comes in four plunger tubes with several applicator heads, allowing you to line any areas of your home that are susceptible to cockroaches. Additionally, this product contains indoxacarb, which is safe for application sites where pets, children, and other sensitive individuals and animals may come into contact with it.
Key Features
Has a gel formula Comes with four 1.06-ounce plunger tubes Includes several application tools Kills German cockroaches
What Customers Are Saying
Best Roach Trap: Hot Shot Ultra-Liquid Roach Bait
This roach killer draws cockroaches in using a mixture of food and water bait that starts working in just a few hours. Unlike other products we’ve reviewed, this roach trap kills both roaches and their eggs to get to the root of the infestation.
Key Features
Has a food- and water-attracting formula Comes with six bait stations Kills cockroaches and their eggs
What Customers Are Saying
Reviews noted that this product worked quickly and effectively, with many saying that the roach traps were straightforward to use. Negative reviews said that their package was missing some roach traps upon arrival.
Best For Small Infestations: Raid Roach Gel
This roach gel fits in small cracks and crevices within your home to kill both German and American cockroaches. The Raid Roach Gel is ideal for killing roaches at the source where they hide and breed.
Key Features
Has a gel formula Comes with one 1.5-ounce squeeze tube Kills German and American cockroaches
What Customers Are Saying
Customers noted that this roach killer product was a great value for the money, especially considering that a little bit of it went a long way. Reviews also stated that they saw results within a few days of application. Unsatisfied customers criticized this product for not working on Florida roaches. They also said that it had a dry formula that was difficult to squeeze out.
Best Roach Fogger: Raid Concentrated Deep-Reach Fogger
This combo pack includes three foggers that penetrate cracks and holes in your home to kill roaches, ants, and spiders. This roach fogger also continues to work for up to two months after application.
Key Features
Has a fog formula Comes with three 1.5-ounce spray bottles Kills ants, cockroaches, and spiders
What Customers Are Saying
Many customers highlighted this product’s effectiveness on many bugs, including black widows, ants, and roaches. They also said that it was convenient for killing bugs on a trip. People who were unhappy with this product pointed out that its scent was overpowering.
Best Multipurpose Killer: Ortho Home Defense MAX Insect Killer Spray
This roach killer provides up to three months of protection against common household pests, such as ants, roaches, spiders, stink bugs, and centipedes. In addition, this spray is formulated for both indoor and outdoor use. If you’re concerned about messy pesticides, this product is advertised as a no-residue option.
Key Features
Has a spray formula Comes with two 24-ounce spray bottles Kills common household pests, including ants, cockroaches, and spiders
What Customers Are Saying
Glowing customer reviews praised this product for how easy it was to use and how reasonably priced it was. Many reviews also highlighted that this product had good longevity. In contrast, negative reviews stated that the newer version of this product had a less effective formula.
Buyer’s Guide
Before buying a roach killer, it’s important to understand how its design and specifications impact its user experience and performance. Here are four factors to keep in mind before making a purchase.
Type
Roach killers come in a variety of designs, with the most popular being gels, foggers, sprays, and traps. Cockroach gel is an effective treatment option for homeowners experiencing minor or major cockroach infestations. Gels, including the Advion Pest Control Gel, are applied to cracks, crevices, and other surfaces in your home where cockroaches are spotted. They attract cockroaches in the area and kill them after being ingested. While gels are unlikely to harm pets or children, it’s suggested that they’re applied to inaccessible areas of the home as a safety precaution. The cockroach fogger comes in an aerosol can. It sprays a wide-reaching pesticide that settles onto surfaces throughout your home. Roaches are killed when they come into contact with the pesticide droplets. While foggers are affordable and easy to use, users can’t target specific areas like they can with a cockroach gel. Similar to a fogger, roach sprays produce an insect-killing substance that sticks to surfaces around your home. While roach sprays can cover a large area like foggers, they can also be used for more precise targeting. For example, the Ortho Home Defense MAX Insect Killer Spray lets users spray small four-inch insecticide barriers to areas where cockroaches are commonly found. A roach trap contains bait that lures cockroaches in. While some roach traps hold onto the roach for later disposal, most models like the Hot Shot Ultra-Liquid Roach Bait have poisonous bait that kills the insects on contact. These traps are placed on flat surfaces throughout your home.
Efficacy Length
The amount of time a roach killer is effective for is called its efficacy length. Most killers last for about two weeks. However, this timeframe is a rough estimate because a roach killer that’s used outside to treat a large infestation won’t last as long as a killer that’s used inside to treat a few stray cockroaches. Some models can last longer than a few weeks. For example, the Raid Concentrated Deep-Reach Fogger keeps killing for up to two months after initial application.
Targeted Pests
Some roach killers can also target other pests. For example, the Ortho Home Defense MAX Insect Killer Spray can get rid of roaches, ants, spiders, stink bugs, and centipedes. These multipurpose killers are useful for homes experiencing a wide range of pest problems.
Safety
Most roach killers contain harmful chemicals. If you have small children or pets, take safety precautions, such as applying the killer to inaccessible areas, to prevent accidental ingestion. Some models like the Hot Shot Ultra-Liquid Roach Bait also have an enclosed insecticide to further minimize the risk of contact.
What attracts roaches to my home?
While most people associate dirty homes with infestations, roaches also enter clean homes to search for shelter and water. Therefore, it’s important to not only keep a clean home, but to also remove sources of excess moisture in your home.
How do roaches get in my home?
Roaches are small insects that can enter your home through holes, cracks, and gaps in your home’s structure. They can also enter through open doors or windows.
What are the signs of a roach infestation in my home?
Some common signs of a roach infestation include:
Droppings Smear marks Unusual odors Egg capsules
Additionally, spotting just one roach in your home could indicate that more are in the surrounding area.
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