The 11 Best Roach Killers of 2024 to Keep co*ckroaches Away from Your Home (2024)

The advion co*ckroach Gel Bait is our top pick for the best roach killer currently available on the market. Made in the USA, the formula in this insecticide can efficiently tackle residential or commercial areas with a high infestation problem. It’s even suitable for use in kitchens and other food-prep areas. Four syringes come in the set, and each tube is enough for application in up to five different spots.

After you’ve taken care of the inside or your home, you can also use this product outdoors, around the house, and in sheds and garages, too. In addition to the usual roach-attracting spots, like under sinks and in wall cracks, the best application is the four-corner method, which entails applying the product to every corner of each room. This product is highly appealing to unsuspecting roaches, so don’t be surprised when dead ones start appearing all over the place.

Product Details: Form: Gel | Time Needed to Work: Immediate | Efficacy Length: Three months | Targeted Pests: Most co*ckroaches, including German and American | Safe for Pets: Yes

The Spectracide Bug Stop Home Barrier comes in a large, 1-gallon container to effectively cover even larger homes and outdoor areas—and you’ll still have some left over, making this the best roach killer for anyone on a budget.

This insecticide works quickly, killing co*ckroaches as soon as they come in contact with it, and it’s also effective on other insects too, including ants, spiders, fleas, and silverfish. As the formula is water-based, there’s no odor and it also won’t stain your floors or patio.

The container has a convenient handle and comes with a sprayer which is pretty much ready-to-use as soon as you set it up. You don’t have to mix a thing as the formula comes completely ready; all you have to do to get in terminator mode is unscrew the bottle’s cap, and pop in the included sprayer. The sprayer also makes it really easy to get in hard-to-reach areas, such as behind the fridge or stove, and in any cracks. The effects of this powerful insecticide can last for up to 12 months.

Just make sure to keep kids and pets away from the area until the spray has dried completely.

Product Details: Form: Liquid | Time Needed to Work: Immediate | Efficacy Length: Up to 12 months | Targeted Pests: Insects | Safe for Pets: Yes, only once dried

Disturbingly, some co*ckroaches are what the pros call “bait-averse” meaning that they will actively avoid ingesting roach killer. Thankfully, the Maxforce FC Select Professional Roach Killer Bait Gel manages to trick even these more intelligent co*ckroaches (usually of the German variety) into having a little nibble.

The formula has a trademarked Domino Effect® meaning that once one roach has ingested it, it will then kill off any other pests that it comes into contact with. This means that the co*ckroach won’t die instantly (it needs to be able to get back to its crew in order to pass the poison on), so it will take a couple of days till you start seeing results (up to eight days for American roaches).

Thanks to the syringes that come already filled with the insecticide, you don’t have to mix any ingredients and can easily access hard-to-reach areas. The formula can be used both indoors and out, but it does dry into an unsightly brown which is not much of an issue if it’s applied outside, in cracks, or behind large appliances. Once it is dry, it is safe for use in kitchen spaces.

Although it’s an extremely effective roach-killing product, it’s not pet-safe, so it’s best to avoid it if you have any furry friends running around.

Product Details: Form: Gel | Time Needed to Work: Immediate and ingestion | Efficacy Length: Up to one year (reapply as needed) | Targeted Pests: co*ckroaches (German, American, oriental, brown, and smoky brown) | Safe for Pets: No

Thanks to the fast-acting Raid Ant & Roach Killer, there’s no need to pack your bags and check yourself into the nearest hotel as soon as you see a co*ckroach in the house (be honest, you’ve thought about it).

Unlike other roach-preventing killers, this spray can be used directly onto the critter, or in the little gap it’s managed to crawl into. One thing’s for sure, it won’t be coming out of that hole once you’ve sealed it off with this spray—it will simply kick the bucket on the spot.

While the product claims to also prevent roaches from reappearing, it’s not an overall protectant for heavily infested areas. Having said that, it’s a very tough roach killer you’ll definitely want around the house for emergencies, perhaps in addition to your long-term baits and traps. What’s more, this multi-purpose killer can be used on an array of other insects too, including ants, earwigs, household spiders, stink bugs, and even scorpions.

If you have a pet, you’ll want to make sure it can’t get into any room that you’ve applied this spray to, as it’s not safe for people or pets to touch.

Product Details: Form: Spray | Time Needed to Work: Immediate | Efficacy Length: Up to four weeks | Targeted Pests: 13 insect varieties including roaches, waterbugs, ants, spiders, beetles and scorpions | Safe for Pets: No

The Hoy Hoy Trap-A-Roach Bait Glue Trap set captures co*ckroaches by luring the bugs with food and then having them walk across a foot pad that removes any debris that's currently on their legs. This allows them to better stick to the glue that's on the other side of the foot pad.

There are many perks to this economical trap set. Firstly, it’s highly affordable and there are five traps in the set, meaning you can adequately prep all the important roach hideouts, like behind the refrigerator, the stove, and under your bathroom and kitchen sinks.

It’s the best roach killer for anyone who doesn’t want to get their hands dirty, as you don’t have to apply any liquids or gels directly to your floors or sideboards. It’s also odor-free. In addition, the traps are safe to use around animals, as long as your pets can’t get directly to them.

Thankfully, they come with sticky-tape on the back of each trap to enable you to stick it on the back of cabinets or even somewhere higher up, and out of the reach of pets and children.

The traps are only an inch high, meaning you can even slide them under cabinets. This product is best for those occasional roach sightings as opposed to a full-blown infestation. While the trapping method is not a long-term roach killing solution as the insects can’t escape in order to take the poison back to other roaches, you’ll definitely see a decline in the number of co*ckroaches you once had.

While you will have to deal with disposing of the traps with the nasties inside, there is a little tab on the top of each one so you won’t have to get too close to the corpses.

Product Details: Form: Trap | Time Needed to Work: Immediate | Efficacy Length: One month | Targeted Pests: co*ckroaches | Safe for Pets: No

The Harris Boric Acid Roach and Silverfish Killer Powder is a great way to kill co*ckroaches and keep more from cropping up. The company has been around since 1924 and is well-known for its bug-busting formulas.

This powder is affordable, easy-to-use, and comes ready for use straight out of the box. It’s made from 99 percent boric acid, which is the key deadly ingredient that (morbidly) affects the roach’s nervous and digestive systems, swiftly killing it. However, while the roach will be attracted to this bait, it won’t be tempted to eat it—bear with us; it works in another, clever way.

While you may, upon the first sight of a roach, want to sprinkle this stuff everywhere, too much of it will actually make co*ckroaches walk around it and avoid getting poisoned. Since it’s not a yummy roach bait, per se, you have to apply just the recommended amount—a light puff of the bottle is all that’s needed for a thin layer of dust to cover the desired surface.

The way it works is that the co*ckroach will, unwittingly, walk over the dust, then go home and lick itself clean, thereby ingesting the poison. In the meantime, it will have also taken the powder to its friends, so they can all meet the same gnarly fate.

Product Details: Form: Powder | Time Needed to Work: Up to 72 hours | Efficacy Length: Weeks to months, as long as it is kept dry | Targeted Pests: co*ckroaches, palmetto bugs, waterbugs, silverfish | Safe for Pets: No

This large container of Ortho Home Defence Insect Killer can be used both indoors and around the perimeter of your home, making it our top pick for the best roach killer for multipurpose use.

It can kill a plethora of over 130 insects, including roaches, ants, fleas, ticks, and spiders, and comes ready to use. The easy applicator wand sprays the product accurately, and exactly where you want it to go, and the best part about it is that it dries extremely quickly, meaning that it’s safe for use around pets too (once dry, of course).

There’s no odor to it and, as long as it’s applied on non-porous surfaces, the product won’t stain the floors or walls either. It works by not only killing insects upon contact, but creating a bug barrier that stops them from getting into your house. A single application can impressively last for up to 12 months.

If you have a serious infestation, this product can’t get to the root of the problem as it kills bugs on the spot, therefore doesn’t allow them to transfer the poison back to their hideouts. However, it’s excellent at preventing roaches from getting in if you apply it to all perimeters.

Product Details: Form: Powder | Time Needed to Work:Immediate | Efficacy Length: Up to 12 months | Targeted Pests: 130+ insects, including co*ckroaches, spiders, stink bugs, house centipedes, millipedes, beetles, scorpions, silverfish, earwigs, fleas, and ticks | Safe for Pets: Yes, once dry

If you’re desperate to get rid of trespassing bugs, but don’t like the idea of releasing harmful chemicals into your home, it may feel like a bit of a conundrum. However, these days there's no shortage of eco-friendly bug repellents and insecticides on the market.

Insect killing sprays are known for being toxic with strong, cough-inducing smells, but natural remedies, like this EcoLogic Ant and Roach Killer Aerosol, have thankfully burst onto the scene to kill insects in a more environmentally and human-friendly way. It has a cinnamon scent which is actually rather pleasant, and nothing like your typical insect spray.

Though it's made from natural ingredients like cornmint oil, cinnamon oil, and clove oil, it still has a powerful insecticide in the form of lemongrass oil that can kill roaches and other insects immediately upon contact. The aerosol allows you to powerfully spray the product into crevices, under appliances, and in hard-to-reach corners, and it’s safe around pets as long as you allow it to properly dry first.

This is not a means of infestation control, but can certainly stop stray roaches dead in their tracks.

Product Details: Form: Aerosol | Time Needed to Work:Immediate | Efficacy Length: Needs reapplication every few days | Targeted Pests: co*ckroaches, ants, spiders, black widows, crickets, and ticks | Safe for Pets: Yes

Did you know that roaches often come into a house to look for water in addition to food? Apparently, they can survive quite well without food for up to a month, but, when it comes to water, they can only go without for seven days.

With that useful information in mind, the clever Hot Shot HG-95789 Roach Killer includes both food and water bait, serving as a delicious and satisfying last meal (drink included) for a co*ckroach. The poison can kill even monstrous-sized roaches, and kills their eggs, too.

There are six of these bait stations included in each pack, which work out quite economical at under $1.50 per unit. They’re really easy to use, too; simply place the baits wherever you’ve seen a co*ckroach, or in common bug hangouts, like under sinks and cabinets.

You’ll have to check up on the stations once a month to make sure they’ve still got bait inside (if not, you know that the co*ckroaches have been having a field day). Once empty, simply replace it with another bait station.

Product Details: Form: Liquid bait stations | Time Needed to Work:A few hours | Efficacy Length: Three months | Targeted Pests: co*ckroaches | Safe for Pets: No

If you’re lucky enough to only see insects in the yard, you won’t really need to bring any insecticide into the house. However, even if you don’t have an indoor roach problem, protecting your outdoor area against co*ckroaches and other insects is also a great way to ensure they don’t manage to get in.

These Terro T901-6 Ant Killer Plus Multi-Purpose Insect Control granules are made for outdoor use, and come in a handy resealable bag that you simply tip upside-down and shake-it-all-around for easy application.

Within a day, co*ckroaches, ants, fleas, silverfish, and a whole load of other insects will start dropping like flies. As opposed to other outdoor insecticides, you don’t have to prep it or mix it with water first, and you won’t have to use a spreader or sprayer either. You will, however, have to lightly water the area after you’ve spread the granules in order to activate the formula.

It’s advised to apply the Terro T901-6 all around the outer foundations of your home, creating a perimeter that bugs can’t cross (well, they’ll certainly try, but it won’t end well for them).

Product Details: Form: Granules | Time Needed to Work:Within 24 hours of contact | Efficacy Length: Two months | Targeted Pests: Most insects, including ants, fire ants, co*ckroaches, fleas, crickets, earwigs, millipedes, mites, palmetto bugs, silverfish, and sow bugs | Safe for Pets: Debatable

For a mess-free option, the best roach killer is the Combat Max Roach Killing Bait. The set includes eight bait stations that’ll help kill the co*ckroach nest, helping to eliminiate roaches long-term.

The bait station is already ready-to-use, so all you have to do is set it on your floor wherever you’ve seen roaches. The station will attract roaches, who will take the bait back to their nest and share it with other roaches. It’ll eventually kill the nest, eliminating the source of roaches in your home.

In comparison to other roach killers, this option may take a bit longer to work. However, it’ll continue to operate for up to three months, offering a long-term solution to any issues with roaches, as well as ants. It’s worth noting, however, that this option is not safe to use around pets, so it’s not suitable for every home.

Product Details: Form: Granules bait station | Time Needed to Work: Not listed | Efficacy Length: Three months | Targeted Pests: Ants (including Carpenter) and co*ckroaches (including German)| Safe for Pets: No

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