TOP 12 best remedies for cockroaches: poisons, traps, sprays

From time immemorial, people have been fighting these parasites, so today the market is maximally filled with a variety of products for exterminating cockroaches. Here you will find 12 of the best products from the Prussians: poisonous baits, traps, sprays and insect growth regulators.

Today, the most popular group of products is gel baits, since the mixture of poison and alluring bait works most effectively. Insects gather to feast on the “treat”, eat it (and share it with their relatives), and then slowly die. Death cannot be avoided by those cockroaches that feed on dead individuals (yes, they do that).

How to detect cockroaches at home?

It is simply impossible not to notice a cockroach in an apartment, especially at night. To do this, just turn on the lighting sharply - pests react to bright light, so they begin to scatter in different directions.

But there are other signs of the presence of insects:

• dots of black or dark brown on dishes, walls and other surfaces, which indicates cockroach excrement;
• an unpleasant odor, but it is felt when there are a lot of parasites;
• clutches with eggs in cracks, corners and other hard-to-reach places in the apartment.

Cockroaches are insects that like to run around in groups, so if you spot one, it means there are others.

Insecticidal spray as a quick way to kill cockroaches

Now let's move on to a more traditional method that our parents used - spraying poisons. Insecticidal sprays have actually proven their effectiveness and have carried it through the years!

Raid 17.5OZ Cockroach Killer

This spray costs ~$8.04 and is in demand. Its rating is 4.4 out of 5 stars. It works quickly, killing insects on contact. Another advantage of the spray is that after spraying, the smell disappears very quickly. But it's not that bad, thanks to the fragrance it contains. It is also very effective against ants. This dual action at a low price makes it one of the most popular insect repellent sprays.

Such express control methods also have their drawbacks. It has been proven that no chain reaction will follow, that is, when you spray the spray on 10 cockroaches, you will destroy exactly 10 individuals. They will not reach the nest and will not infect others. So don't waste it: spray it on the most contaminated areas in the house.

Raid 17.5 OZ Roach Killer is especially popular among farmers as they often have to get rid of several types of insects at once and are looking for a universal solution. To be honest, we couldn't find a single negative review.

Price: ~$8.04 Check current price

Another universal poison is Ortho 0196410 Home Defense MAX Insect Killer Spray for Indoor and Home Perimeter, 24-Ounce (Ant, Roach, Spider, Stinkbug & Centipede Killer). This spray is not a gas, it is simply a poisonous liquid that you spray on the parasites. It eliminates and repels over 130 types of insects (the most commonly purchased for killing ants, cockroaches and spiders)!! The price for such a multi-purpose product is very affordable: ~$10.99 for a 24 oz bottle. This mixture not only acts as an instant killer, but can also be used as a preventative.

Price: ~$10.99 Check current price

Preliminary preparation for breeding

To fully eliminate pests, comprehensive measures are used to destroy insects and eliminate the cause of their spread. Before you begin the process of getting rid of them, carry out preliminary preparations, which include the following steps:

1. Hide the food. Remove all food debris and crumbs from the table, sink and other places by thoroughly wiping the surfaces (preferably with detergents). If there are drops of grease on the tiles (usually near the stove), wash them off.
2. Remove water sources. There should be no cups with leftover drinks, puddles of water or other liquid left on the table. Be sure to dry the sink, bathtub, and close the toilet with a lid.
3. Clean up. Sweep out all the garbage and wash the floor with bleach (white), wipe the window sills.
4. Seal the cracks. To prevent cockroaches from hiding and new individuals from entering the apartment, cover all the cracks in the floor and walls with alabaster or special construction putty.
5. Warn your neighbors. Since insects, when baited, will begin to escape through the exhaust hole into nearby apartments, be sure to notify your neighbors about your actions - they need to protect their premises. For example, install a repeller, a trap, etc.
6. Prepare the poison. If necessary, make a solution or other remedy. Be sure to use protective equipment - rubber gloves, construction respirator.

Houseplants and herbs that repel cockroaches

There are a number of plants that release substances into the environment that cockroaches cannot tolerate. In particular, these are odors, so insects leave the geolocation site. But remember that these herbs/flowers must be in the apartment at all times.

Pyrethrum

This is a powdery mass that is made from the inflorescences of chamomile. It is sold in pharmacies. It is considered effective because insects cannot tolerate this smell. To combat cockroaches, spread the powder under carpets and in areas where insects are abundant.

To avoid creating debris from the powder, pour it into gauze bags.

Bay leaf

Another enemy of cockroaches is bay leaf. It is laid out in the room, but to achieve a quick effect you can do this:

1. Buy a bay leaf in the form of a branch (usually sold at the market).
2. Light it with a match.
3. Carry out the fumigation procedure for the room.

As a result of smoldering, caustic essential oils are released. Please note that the smell will last for 2-3 days.

Elderberry branches

Elderberry exudes an aroma that is unpleasant for insects, so it is enough to lay out the branches in the room where the red “guests” are located. There will be no harm to the human body, but the method itself is considered ineffective, since you will have to purchase a lot of branches, which should be in the apartment all the time.

Geranium

Not even all people like the aroma of this indoor flower, since it is specific. When growing it on a windowsill, be sure that the cockroach family will not stay in your home for long.

Additionally, geranium repels flies, mosquitoes, ants and other insects.

Other plants

There are also a number of medicinal herbs that make cockroaches escape from the apartment. Among them:

• anise;
• honeysuckle;
• lemon balm and mint;
• wormwood;
• eucalyptus;
• wild rosemary;
• tansy;
• chamomile.

As in previous cases, plants are laid out or hung in the room, fresh or dried.

Professional cockroach repellents

If you do not trust traditional methods of combating red pests, buy a special product. Today there are many varieties of them on sale and at different prices. But keep in mind that many of them are based on chemicals and are therefore dangerous for children and pets.

Gels

Gel preparations are considered safe, therefore they are used in apartments where people and animals are constantly present. The main disadvantage is that only individuals die, and the products have no effect on the larvae, which is why the treatment will have to be carried out repeatedly.

Among the advantages are ease of application, ease of rinsing off surfaces, and affordability. But the main thing is that animals or children will not eat the gel, as it produces bitterness.

Rules of application:

1. Open the package.
2. Apply immediately to areas where cockroaches frequent.
3. Apply dropwise - with a distance of 10-12 cm between dosages.

The peculiarity of the gels is that insects that have feasted on the poison will spread it independently throughout the entire family, which will lead to infection of all individuals. During the period of action of the product (about 7-8 days), females and males lose their ability to reproduce.

The most popular gels:

• Global;
• Raptor;
• Absolute;
• Hector;
• Clean house;
• Dohlox.

Purchased traps

The use of traps is justified in cases where spraying chemicals is undesirable. The method has a lot of advantages, but also a significant drawback - it is impossible to destroy the eggs, since only those individuals that fall into such a “trap” die.

Short description:

• purchased traps are a structure containing substances poisonous to insects;
• principle of operation - cockroaches climb inside through small holes, eat the special food placed inside and go to their relatives, spreading poison on their paws, thanks to which the family is persecuted.

The substances usually act for a long time, so the pests die after about a week. Popular models are Dohlox, Raptor, Combat.

Crayons

Another common name is pencils. Well-known brands are Mashenka, Domovoy, Tornado, etc. They are based on chemical additives, but are harmless to humans and animals, since they do not evaporate toxic substances into the air.

Using chalk is quite simple:

1. Open the package.
2. Draw dotted lines on the walls and other surfaces (solid lines are possible).

A mandatory requirement is painting around the ventilation hole, doors, windows, that is, those places through which cockroaches enter the apartment.

Instant death is caused by the method of applying chalk according to the principle of a vicious circle.

Powders

These are chemicals that are safe for humans but kill insects. Vivid examples are Clean House, Super Fas, Tornado, Absolute, Phenaxin. The powders are low cost, easy to use, and lack an unpleasant odor. But it is impossible to destroy the larvae with them.

Another disadvantage is the need to renew the product every 3-4 days, as new offspring of pests appear. Do not use in places where there is high humidity.

Usage options:

• sprinkle the powder on the surface;
• place in disposable plates, which are placed in areas where cockroaches accumulate.

Today, a granular form of such products is produced, but it has a higher cost.

Aerosols

Poisons in the form of sprays are convenient to use, but they emit life-threatening substances, so when using them, you need to take animals and children out of the house for several hours. The time depends on the specific product, but most often it is 2-4 hours.

Aerosols are produced under the following names:

• Combat;
• Ultra Magic;
• Raptor;
• Get;
• Clean house;
• Regent;
• Dichlorvos.

The main advantage is the speed of destruction, but only if the product penetrates directly into the “houses” of cockroaches. In other cases, intoxication occurs slowly, which requires repeated treatment.

Rules:

1. Remove all food and everyday items from the room. For example, pots, plates, spoons and the like.
2. Apply the product using a spraying motion to the surfaces of the table, floor, walls, sink, vent, etc.
3. Close all windows and doors.
4. After the time specified in the instructions has passed, ventilate the room and wash the items being treated.

Ultrasonic repellers

These are modern inventions that do not harm humans, cats, or dogs at all. The ultrasound emitted can only be detected by insects. The mechanism of action is due to the fact that ultrasonic waves affect the nervous system, which first leads to paralysis and then to death.

The devices are powered by electricity or batteries. They are small structures. Known models:

• Typhoon;
• Tornado;
• Tsunami;
• Rexant;
• Two eyes.

Help from specialists

If you can’t get rid of barbels on your own, and this happens when there are too many of them, call a special service for pest control.

If you are sure that cockroaches live in the basement of an apartment building, feel free to call the city’s SES - they are obliged to exterminate the pests completely free of charge.

In other cases, you will have to shell out several thousand rubles. To neutralize insects, special equipment and chemicals, hot steam, etc. are used. What needs to be done before the exterminators arrive:

1. Remove all food from the premises.
2. Turn off electrical appliances and turn off the gas supply.
3. Place dishes, etc., in another room, after covering the items.

Be sure to ask the service workers exactly what medications and methods they use. After treatment, you will have to carry out wet cleaning, thoroughly rinse the walls and other surfaces.

The best traps for cockroaches

We evaluated traps based on their effectiveness, availability, and popularity. Large sets of small sticky traps are generally the best sellers - with one interesting exception - the Black Flag Roach Motel.

Black Flag HG-11020-1 Roach Motel Insect Traps, Case of 12

This product, sarcastically named “Roach Motel,” costs ~$30.60. It is very popular among customers and is rated 4.5 stars out of 5 stars. For the above price you will receive a set of 12 traps, each of which can be used for 4 months.

Many women (and even men) are terrified of dead cockroaches: they find it disgusting not only to touch them, but even just to look at them. If you are also afraid, such traps will be a real salvation: dead cockroaches remain in this “motel”, and you are spared the need to see their corpses. The “motel” happily welcomes not only cockroaches, but also water beetles, spiders and even scorpions (which is a big plus for residents of the southern regions).

The idea behind Black Flag is very simple. The cockroaches are attracted by the smell of the attractant inside the box and cannot get out, so they die of starvation . In addition, the inside of the trap is designed in such a way that insects are injured when they try to escape. The effectiveness of the system is confirmed by dozens of comments from real users.

Some of them were still able to find the weak points of the device: “The disadvantage of this product, at least when it comes to American cockroaches, is that the use of traps alone is not enough, because: 1) large individuals can live for a whole month without food, 2) they are ready to tear off their paws just to get out and not die of hunger inside. Since it was obvious that this would happen, I decided to spray insecticide inside occasionally. This caused the trap's glue to become wet, allowing the surviving parasites to free themselves and attempt to escape. In the end, I finished them off with a broom. So keep in mind that these are disposable traps for large cockroaches.” Read reviews from other customers to decide if it's worth buying.

Price: ~$30.60 Check current price

Glue traps like Trapper Max Glue Traps 12 Glue Boards Trap Mouse Bugs Insects Bed Bugs Spiders Cockroaches NON-TOXIC are also easy to use. For only ~$9.84 you will receive a set of 12 cardboard traps with a sticky layer on the inside. No high technology or innovation - this is a traditional method. The adhesive area is small: only 4.5 x 6.5 inches. Manufacturers assure buyers that this will be enough to catch dozens of insects. There are no fancy baits in Trapper Max, although the chocolate smell of the glue hints at the presence of an attractant. It's funny that this thing can be called a transformer, since the trap can be made both open and closed (like a house).

Clients recommend positioning traps in such a way that they do not fall into them themselves. In any case, we do not advise you to rely entirely on one product. Users advise using poisons and at the same time monitoring the number of remaining ones using Trapper Traps.

Price: ~$9.84 Check current price

Another cheap and simple device is the Trapper Insect Trap (Great for Bed Bugs, Spiders, and Cockroaches) , which includes 90 traps. It only costs ~$19.60. It's much cheaper than Black Flag and Trapper Max. These traps, however, are disposable and as simple as possible. But does it matter if it works? There are no attractants here, one trap is a 7" x 3" cardboard sticky strip. If necessary, the strip can be divided into three miniature traps, which are perfect for hard-to-reach places.

In their reviews, users praise the product. Comments were made only by those who used them to hunt fleas and other insects and were not satisfied with the “harvest.” However, these cardboards work great on cockroaches. However, to be on the safe side, you can read all the reviews on and decide if it's worth buying.

Price: ~$19.60 Check current price

Causes of cockroaches and prevention

There are a lot of factors contributing to the appearance of cockroaches, but experts highlight a few in particular. Namely:

• Unsanitary conditions. Unswept garbage, unwashed floors, crumbs and other leftovers on the table, dirt, etc. To prevent this from becoming the reason, keep the apartment clean.
• Garbage not taken out. By leaving it in the apartment, you attract insects, as this is their favorite feeding place. Take out the trash every evening/morning - make it a habit.
• Eating food in bed. It's impossible to eat a sandwich or the like without leaving crumbs. While it’s easy to remove them from the table, it’s hard to even notice them on the bed/sofa. There are 2 options - do not eat outside the dinner table or eat food over a tray.
• Improper food storage. For example, cereals are placed in ordinary bags, and not in sealed containers. Always pour them out of store-bought packaging.
• Pets. They are not carriers of cockroaches, but they leave behind crumbs and the water attracts insects. Therefore, you should not leave the liquid overnight, and after feeding you need to carefully clean and wash your pet’s dishes.
• Water stagnation. It is strictly undesirable to leave unfinished tea and other drinks in cups. The bathtub and sink should be wiped dry, especially in the evening, as cockroaches prefer nocturnal life. Do not leave the toilet open; watch the pipes and taps so that water does not leak from them.
• Cracks in walls, floors. If there are any, cover them in a timely manner, which will prevent pests from accessing them. Place a grille with an additional and very fine mesh over the ventilation hole.

Best gel bait: cockroaches, you don't stand a chance!

Advion Cockroach Gel Bait, 4-syringes – Best Roach Killer

Here is the most popular cockroach product on Amazon.com. Advion Gel Bait costs ~$20 dollars, the product is proven over years of use, and customers trust it. This is the #1 best seller in the Pest Control Baits category. Its rating is 4.5 out of 5 stars - with more than 9,000 user reviews. No competitor's product even comes close to Advion's popularity.

The active ingredient in the bait is 0.6% indoxacarb, which attracts and then kills cockroaches. When purchasing, remember that this chemical has a limited shelf life of 2 years from the date of manufacture. However, if you have a real pest problem, the product won't sit on the shelf that long.

The manufacturer recommends leaving 0.5 gram doses of gel 10 feet apart. The product is economical: 3-5 such doses will be enough even for the most insect-infested house, and only 1-3 drops of this gel will be needed to kill a small population . This poison destroys a dozen different types of harmful insects, including the most common types of cockroaches.

91% of customers say this product is effective; Therefore, Advion can be safely called the best cockroach killer. Consumers also state that for complete control of these barbels, it is enough to use the gel 3-4 times a year. Most insects die within a week. It is also mentioned that this gel should be placed in areas out of the reach of pets and small children. Never leave drops near food!

User Toomuchstuff shares his way to best use the product: “I didn't apply it the way the manufacturer recommended. I don't like leaving poison on the surfaces of anything. I took plastic bottle caps and container lids and squeezed Advion into them. I placed all these things where I saw cockroaches the day before. After about a week I noticed that there were fewer of them. I threw out the old caps and replaced them with new ones (with bait again). I did this weekly for about two months – it worked.”

Price: ~$20 Check current price

Actually, we can finish our review here. Advion Gel Bait has left all its competitors in the dust and is the best-selling cockroach elimination product today.

We have also used Advion and join the 91% of users who consider it the most effective pest killer. We have cleared the house of this evil spirits and recommend that you follow our example! But, nevertheless, we will continue our review, since we promised to talk about all the products for controlling Prussians.

12 Dupont Advion Cockroach German Roach Pest Control Bait Stations Used By All The Pros!

This is still the same Advion Gel, packaged in small plastic containers. Users confirm that this is an excellent solution to the problem if there are children and pets in the house - they will not be able to get to the poison. True, there are cases where dogs somehow swallowed these traps, and children played with them like toys - but this is a question for adults who do not monitor vulnerable members of their family. Despite this, the buyer rating for this product is high, and the price is more than affordable: only ~$11.60.

The range of gels available in the insecticide market is very extensive. Advion has half a dozen rivals that are very similar, with the only differences being the chemistry and price. Below we take a look at other popular products available in the market.

Price: ~$11.60 Check current price

Combat Max Roach Killing Gel, 60 Grams (2-pack)

Combat Gel costs ~$19.89 (2 pieces); The rating is 4.3 out of 5 stars. For such a quantity of gel the price is very affordable. The principle of use is the same, the bait needs to be replaced once a month. Many users were disappointed by the instant drying of the gel, because... They thought that after drying the poison became useless. But experienced cockroach fighters claim that the gel works even in a dry state, the main thing is to use it before the expiration date.

Price: ~$19.89 (2 pieces) Check current price

Invict Gold Cockroach German Roach Control Gel Bait 4 tubes w/ plunger (35 grams per tube)

Another gel product. It also comes with 4 syringes of 35g gel. each, and the entire set costs ~$23.83. In appearance, Invict Gel is very similar to Advion. But keep in mind an important nuance: unlike Advion, this gel is aimed at killing only cockroaches. The active ingredient – ​​2.15% imidacloprid – is responsible for their elimination.

Both the manufacturer and buyers warn that it is very important to thoroughly study the instructions before use. As a result, 88% of buyers are satisfied with the performance of the poison and find Invict useful.

Price: ~$23.83 Check current price

Advice from housewives and specialists

Residents of high-rise buildings who have repeatedly encountered infestations of cockroaches, as well as specialists studying these insects, have several tricks in their stock that make pest control more successful. Use these recommendations:

• be sure to use protective equipment - rubber gloves, a respirator with a filter, especially if you use powerful toxic chemicals;
• many housewives claim that cockroaches do not like the smell of citrus fruits, so they advise placing lemon slices or orange peels right in the kitchen;
• Longhorned beetles are able to quickly adapt to toxic substances, so when baiting for a long time, use different means;
• the favorite place for cockroaches is the back wall of the refrigerator, since there are wires there and it is always warm (be sure to treat it);
• In order to create the most unfavorable conditions for cockroaches, it is enough to know about their vulnerable spots - lack of water, so wipe even pipes with cold water every day, as condensation forms on them;
• Another weak point is photophobia, but if you leave the lamps on at night, the pests will quickly get used to it;
• the third critical indicator is the loose fit of the doors to the container, the walls of hanging and floor cabinets, where cockroaches like to hide during the day, so do not leave gaps, but spray them if necessary;
• Boric acid is considered the best remedy, because red-haired “tenants” do not know how to adapt to it.

Before you get rid of cockroaches on your own, carefully study all the methods and means, find a suitable option for yourself and be sure to take into account the presence of children and pets in the apartment.

Experts recommend not to pursue expensive drugs, but to give preference to those manufacturers who have long enjoyed a good reputation.

Other methods of eliminating cockroaches: tablets and growth regulators

If you don't trust modern chemicals or feel sorry for cockroaches, read below about the oldest cockroach control product, which is 80 years old. We will also spend some time on an insect growth regulator, which does not kill insects, but inhibits the development of individuals and makes female longhorned beetles infertile.

Harris Roach Tablets

Harris sells its well-known anti-cockroach tablets – Harris Roach Tablets for ~$5.59. This product is rated 4 out of 5 stars with 72% of buyers finding it effective. Even our grandparents used them - since then the principle of action and composition have not changed. There are about 100 tablets in the box, which need to be placed where pests cluster. The product does not have an unpleasant odor or toxic fumes; the pills will just sit there and wait for the barbels to come and eat them. Although this is a relatively harmless product, it is best to keep children and pets away from it. The tablets are not attractive to cats or dogs, but children may think they are candy - keep an eye on them.

Typically, people place Harris under the refrigerator and furniture, on window sills, in cracks and crevices of the floor, in the spaces between the wall and kitchen appliances, next to the trash can and sink, under the bathtub and other places. The more tablets you use at the same time, the more pest corpses you will find. We could not find any complaints about the effectiveness of the product. The only dissatisfaction came from parents who were forced to keep their children away from the little white “candies.”

Price: ~$5.59 Check current price

10 Gentrol Point Source IGR Insect Growth Regulator Discs~~ Half Box~~ ~~ Control German Roaches and other Cockroaches as well as Stored Product Pests

Gentrol IGR Discs are a hybrid of bait and poison. This is a sterilizer that kills cockroaches without coming into contact with them. Inside the discs there is a chemical growth regulator called hydroprene, which limits the development and reproduction of insects. All you have to do is place the small white discs around the room, open them by clicking on the indicated location on the case, and wait. The chemical will spread throughout the area and sterilize adult insects, as well as stop the development of larvae.

In their comments, buyers complain that the kit does not contain instructions and therefore they have to rely on their intuition when using the product. One way or another, the discs help, as evidenced by the high rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars. The official description and reviews indicate that the disks must be replaced every 90 days and each of them is designed for an area of ​​75 square meters. ft. Many people recommend using Gentrol as a complement to traps and poisons - and we agree with this advice. Combining control methods will be more effective than using single methods.

Price: ~$15.59 Check current price

Reviews about home removal of cockroaches

Valentina Titova, 57 years old, Krasnoyarsk. I’ve lived in an apartment all my life, and my neighbors are also unclean, so I often struggle with cockroaches. For me personally, the best option is boric acid with boiled yolk. I recommend it to everyone, it really helps.

Sergey Vasiliev, 24 years old, Rostov-on-Don. We rented an apartment, and there were a bunch of cockroaches there. I bought an aerosol, I had to spray it a couple of times, but everyone quickly died. And most importantly, it was convenient, I just had to leave the house for 3 hours and then ventilate the apartment.

There are many ways to combat cockroaches. Folk remedies are available - they are the safest for humans, store-bought remedies in the form of aerosols, powders, traps, etc., and you can also call a specialist at home if you can’t cope on your own.