The 10 Best Roach Killers and Baits to Safely Handle a Pest Problem

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Get rid of a roach infestation quickly and safely with these proven products.

Cockroaches find their way into houses, apartments, sheds, and even vehicles where they can quickly become a full-blown infestation. Unfortunately for everyone else who also inhabits the home or makes use of a space, cockroaches are incredibly resilient creatures and cannot be eradicated by ordinary bug killers.

These situations call for a quality roach killer that either kills on contact or brings poisons back to the nest, annihilating the infestation completely. There are many potent weapons in the roach wars, from sprays to bait stations to full-on foggers. Shawn Gleason, entomologist and creator of the online resource Bugs Encyclopedia, says, “Selecting an effective roach killer entails understanding both the target pest’s biology and the product’s impact on the environment.” Read on for more expert advice and to find out which products are the most effective roach killers and bait on the market.

1. BEST OVERALL: Harris Boric Acid Famous Roach Tablets
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Earthborn Elements Diatomaceous Earth
3. BEST SPRAY: Raid Essentials Ant & Roach Killer Spray Bottle
4. BEST TRAP: Hoy Hoy Trap-A-Roach Bait Glue Traps
5. BEST GEL: Syngenta 383920 Advion Cockroach Gel Bait
6. BEST POWDER: Harris Boric Acid Roach and Silverfish Killer
7. BEST NATURAL: Safer Home Diatomaceous Earth
8. BEST FOGGER: Hot Shot Fogger With Odor Neutralizer
9. BEST FOR OUTDOORS: Garden Safe Insect Killer
10. BEST FOR SMALL INFESTATION: Hot Shot HG-95789 Roach Killer

Before You Buy Roach Killer 

Shoppers often turn to powerful insecticides as a pest control solution because getting rid of roach infestations isn’t easy. However, the active ingredients in these toxic pesticides can cause lasting environmental damage. Liquids and powders can seep into the soil, where they may affect beneficial insect and plant life in the surrounding area. These toxic solutions can also move into the water table or be carried to nearby lakes and rivers where they negatively impact fish and marine life.

Many gel baits cause problems because the roach bait gets eaten by insects that are in turn often consumed by predators, like birds. The insecticide remains active in the insects and spreads to the birds, leading to secondary poisoning. Before deciding on a pest control solution, take some time to consider a more natural approach to handling roach infestations.

A roach trap can attract and kill roaches without using poisons, making it a good choice for wiping out minor infestations. However, if dealing with a larger pest population, a more potent solution that has minimal environmental impact is boric acid. Research the product before purchasing in order to make an informed decision about pest control.

How We Chose the Best Roach Killers 

Compiling a list of the best roach killers was challenging because we found so many products and formulas to sift through. We sought to present a range of pest control solutions, including traps, sprays, gels, and foggers.

Product effectiveness was also a top priority, so we researched products’ active ingredients, length of efficacy, and ease of use. Roach baits that are nontoxic and safe to use in homes with kids and pets stood out from products that relied heavily on powerful synthetic chemicals.

We also extensively researched how well products worked to destroy an entire colony of roaches that may be breeding unseen as well as those that simply killed visible insects. That’s why our final selection of products includes a variety of roach killer types.

Our Top Picks

Keep roaches out of your kitchen cabinets, trash cans, and outdoor living spaces with one of the best roach killers available. These are our top picks on the market, taking into account effectiveness, brand reputation, and budget.

Best Overall

Harris Boric Acid Famous Roach Tablets

Place up to 12 tablets per room around a living space and let this roach bait do its job. Each tablet contains 40 percent boric acid, which dehydrates and destroys roaches from the inside out once consumed. Then, the potent product keeps on killing, as other roaches in the nest will ingest the feces and bodies of dead ones, causing further dehydration and death.

Boric acid is one of the more environmentally friendly active ingredients in roach killers because it has a low toxicity in mammals and is almost completely nontoxic to marine wildlife. These tablets can last for up to 2 years in a dry location, but they are vulnerable to rain and moisture, so they cannot be used for outdoor treatment.

Product Specs 

• Type: Bait
• Active ingredient: Boric acid
• Length of efficacy: Up to 2 years

Pros

• Since they last for 1 year, they do not need to be replaced frequently
• Made with boric acid, these tablets have a low environmental impact
• Tablets efficiently eradicate not just individual roaches but the entire colony

Cons

• Not ideal for damp environments or outdoor use during wet weather

Get the Harris roach killer tablets at Amazon or Harris.

Best Bang for the Buck

Earthborn Elements Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a great and affordable option for homes with kids and pets because it contains no poisons or toxins. Instead, the naturally occurring sedimentary rock in powder form that Earthborn Elements Diatomaceous Earth contains kills mechanically by cutting into the carapace of roaches once bait is consumed. Roaches breathe through their shells, so this damage causes them to suffocate and die. Diatomaceous earth is also a potent weapon against other pests, including fleas, bed bugs, ants, and earwigs.

This product comes with 1 gallon of diatomaceous earth, offering excellent value. It can be used effectively outdoors and indoors, but due to its powder form, diatomaceous earth is vulnerable to wind and rain. If using outdoors, be sure to monitor tagged areas and reapply as necessary.

Product Specs

• Type: Bait
• Active ingredient: Diatomaceous earth
• Length of efficacy: Not specified

Pros

• Acts as a mechanical killer, ensuring it’s completely nontoxic
• Since this is a natural product, it’s safe for use in homes with kids and is pet-safe
• Effectively combats multiple pests including roaches, fleas, and bed bugs

Cons

• Requires reapplication after rainy or windy weather

Get the Earthborn Elements roach killer at Amazon or Earthborn Elements.

Best Spray

Raid Essentials Ant & Roach Killer Spray Bottle

While roach baits are effective, they require patience. To get rid of visible roaches quickly and effectively, reach for Raid Essentials ant and roach spray, which uses all-natural essential oil to kill roaches on contact. Just point and shoot to immediately destroy invading pests.

This solution relies on the one-two punch of geraniol and lemongrass oil to kill roaches yet will not harm people, animals, or the planet in general. While this Raid product is easy to use, it only kills insects that are sprayed directly; it does not continue to work for a given period of time, so it isn’t the best choice for treating a nest.

Product Specs 

• Type: Spray
• Active ingredient: Geraniol and lemongrass oil
• Length of efficacy: N/A

Pros

• The spray provides immediate results, eliminating roaches on direct contact
• Due to its natural makeup, this product is safe for use in homes with kids and pets
• The ready-to-use spray-bottle design offers convenience for quick and easy application
• Since it uses natural ingredients, the spray is eco-friendly

Cons

• Its effectiveness is limited to roaches that come into direct contact with the spray

Get the Raid roach killer at Amazon or Walmart.

Best Trap

Hoy Hoy Trap-A-Roach Bait Glue Traps

To eradicate a roach infestation without putting kids and pets at risk, try these Hoy Hoy traps. The pesticide-free weapon against roaming roaches lures bugs in, and its powerful, textured adhesive floor traps them until they starve to death.

Simply place the roach trap on the floor, counter, or anywhere else insects invade. Rather than chemicals, the highly attractive bait is made with four types of real food that roaches can’t resist. Just keep in mind that roaches caught in traps don’t bring poison back to the nest, so this method will not kill a colony.

Product Specs 

• Type: Trap
• Active ingredient: N/A
• Length of efficacy: 30 days

Pros

• Completely free from pesticides, offering a chemical-free solution
• Specially designed to ensure safety when placed around kids and pets
• Uses 4 distinct real-food baits, ensuring maximum attraction for roaches

Cons

• Trapped roaches can’t carry toxins back, so it won’t exterminate an entire colony

Get the Hoy Hoy roach killer at Amazon or Hoy Hoy.

Best Gel

Syngenta 383920 Advion Cockroach Gel Bait

Gel baits, like this product by Syngenta, are excellent for treating narrow cracks, crevices, and other hard-to-access locations where roaches tend to travel and nest. The gel comes in four ready-to-use plunger tubes and includes two application tips for superior control.

Syngenta’s roach bait has a nonrepellent formulation that is highly attractive to all common roach species. It relies on the active ingredient Indoxacarb, a chemical that has been shown to be a reduced-risk pesticide, but it should nonetheless be used minimally, responsibly, and out of reach of kids and pets.

Product Specs 

• Type: Bait
• Active ingredient: Indoxacarb
• Length of efficacy: N/A

Pros

• Comes with 4 application plungers for ease of use and precision
• Formulated with Indoxacarb, which is classified as a reduced-risk pesticide ingredient
• Ideal for use in cracks and hard-to-reach crevices

Cons

• This is a chemical pesticide that is not safe for use around kids or pets

Get the Syngenta roach killer at Amazon or Walmart.

Best Powder

Harris Boric Acid Roach and Silverfish Killer

The Harris Boric Acid Roach and Silverfish Killer powder is made using 99 percent boric acid, providing a fast-acting solution that kills roaches and other pests within 72 hours. The formula contains a food-grade lure to attract roaches, ensuring all members of the colony are drawn out and exterminated.

This product is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and meets high safety and quality standards, making it appropriate for use in homes with pets and children.

Application is a breeze with the user-friendly puffer bottle that features an extended straw, allowing users to easily apply the powder to hard-to-reach spots. As long as the formula is kept dry, it can be effective for weeks after the initial application.

Product Specs 

• Type: Powder
• Active ingredient: Boric acid
• Length of efficacy: Unspecified (weeks)

Pros

• Continues to kill roaches, palmetto bugs, water bugs, and silverfish for weeks when kept dry
• Insects that come into contact with the powder typically die within 72 hours
• Equipped with a user-friendly puffer bottle featuring an extended straw for easy access to tight spots

Cons

• The area must stay dry for long-lasting effectiveness

Get the Harris silverfish and roach killer at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Harris.

Best Natural

Safer Home Diatomaceous Earth

The Safer Home Diatomaceous Earth ant and crawling insect killer is a versatile product that effectively targets a wide range of pests, including ants, fleas, bed bugs, cockroaches, silverfish, and earwigs. Once roaches come into contact with this diatomaceous earth–based powder, they typically die within 48 hours.

Whether you’re dealing with indoor or outdoor roach infestations, this eco-friendly solution provides reliable pest control. It’s Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) listed, making it certified for use in organic gardening, and a great choice for environmentally conscious shoppers. The odorless, nonstaining formula can be applied throughout the home, and it’s safe for humans and pets alike.

Product Specs 

• Type: Powder
• Active ingredient: Diatomaceous earth
• Length of efficacy: Unspecified

Pros

• Versatile formula targets various crawling insects both indoors and outdoors
• Environmentally friendly and OMRI listed for safe use in organic gardening
• Works quickly: After contact or ingestion, insects typically die within 48 hours

Cons

• It may require a few days to achieve complete insect contact and elimination for large infestations

Get the Safer Home roach killer at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Safer Brand.

Best Fogger

Hot Shot Fogger With Odor Neutralizer

Roaches tend to hide in difficult-to-access areas, but this fogger from Hot Shot infiltrates up to 2,000 cubic feet of unobstructed space. When used according to the manufacturer’s directions, the fogger seeps into cracks, crevices, and gaps to kill roaches on contact.

After application, the fogger continues to work for up to 2 months without leaving any harsh odor or oily residue. However, while the chemical pesticide tetramethrin is relatively safe, the fogger’s other active ingredient, cypermethrin, poses a risk to local wildlife. The fogger solution cannot be allowed to enter nearby lakes, rivers, or ponds, as it will kill aquatic invertebrates.

Product Specs 

• Type: Fogger
• Active ingredient: Tetramethrin and cypermethrin
• Length of efficacy: 2 months

Pros

• Package includes a value pack of 6 foggers for extended use
• Sustained action kills roaches for up to 2 full months after application
• Expertly designed to reach and treat roaches in hidden cracks and crevices
• Leaves no stains and is free from any oily residue

Cons

• Contains cypermethrin, which is highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates

Get the Hot Shot roach killer fogger at Amazon or Walmart (4-pack).

Best for Outdoors

Garden Safe Insect Killer

When dealing with a cockroach infestation in the yard or garden, it’s essential to choose a solution that’s eco-friendly and won’t poison beneficial insects or other wildlife. That’s why formulas made up of diatomaceous earth are a great solution. This product from Garden Safe comes in a 4-pound bag and kills cockroaches, ants, silverfish, beetles, fleas, and bed bugs within 24 hours of them coming into contact with the powder.

This product is specifically designed for use in the garden and shouldn’t be applied to hardscaping like decks, patios, or stone walkways. The manufacturer recommends using a hand duster, power duster, or squee