Roaches are a constant menace. Only the best bait for roach can manage them effectively. Remember, they can even survive headless for days. This aspect tells you that ordinary cockroach traps and cockroach sprays cannot finish cockroaches off completely.
A professional roach killer can advise you on the best insecticide for roaches. Also, reading this article will provide you with crucial information on roach control. So, what do we have in store for you?
In The Market for a Good Roach Killer?
If you found this article, you are probably in the market for a good roach killer. You have already seen roaches squeezing in tiny openings that looked too small for their bodies. However, the experience tells you that you require more than getting a roach poison. It is for this reason that you need an effective roach bait.
Roach baits lure cockroaches from their hideouts. The baits relieve you from finding the roaches wherever they hide, which is an impossible mission. In the market, you have two options: a non-toxic bait or a poisoned bait.
The non-toxic bait attracts roaches and then traps them with a strong adhesive. On the other hand, poisoned bait is a gel or powder that cockroaches eat. Afterward, the roaches die immediately or carry the poison back to their hideouts.
The market is full of several varieties of roach baits. However, various elements make some baits stand out from the rest. We have identified seven roach baits that we recommend to you. We have also discussed their key characteristics further below.
How Did We Choose The Best Roach Baits?
The selected roach baits met specific criteria, including a fast reaction and ease of usage. Firstly, we had to explore what makes up an effective roach bait. That is the active ingredient. Secondly, we researched the most common roach species found at home. Afterward, we assessed the available baits in the market and selected those that protect homes effectively.
We took our time in the research activity. We also considered different types of baits to give you options that match your preference. You can probably find other roach baits with unique features, but the ones we selected are tolerant efficient for acute infestations, and some are children and pet-friendly.
Why Trust Us
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You will find our information credible, even though we are not an official organization of veterinary medicine. Importantly, we always advise people to consult their veterinarian to confirm our advice.
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Our other team members are animal lovers, licensed veterinary technicians, veterinary medicine students, small animal veterinarians, veterinary technology graduates, theriogenology graduates, and animal care graduates. Their credentials tell you that we have veterinary subject matter experts in our team.
So, trust the information that you will find in this article. It is from credible sources, including consultation with the National Pest Management Association. Also, it has gone under vetting and review to ascertain the facts. However, always get a second opinion from your veterinarian.
Our Top Pick Roach Bait
Syngenta 383920 Advion Cockroach Gel Bait
Syngenta 383920 is best for controlling roaches in single and multi-family residential buildings, public facilities, and public transportation media. We rate it 4.6/5 stars.
You can apply Syngenta in both indoor and outdoor spaces. It works within 24 hours. So, it is highly lethal to all species of roaches. Also, it remains effective for three months. However, it is messy, and you should keep it out of reach to children below three years. Nevertheless, it is an all-purpose and highly effective roach bait.
Best Roach Control Traps This Year
- Syngenta 383920 Advion Cockroach Gel Bait (Best for controlling roaches in single- and multi-family residential buildings, public facilities, and public transportation media). Our rating: 4.6/5 stars.
- Combat Max 12 Month Roach Killing Bait (Best for luring, killing, and repelling cockroaches). Our rating: 4.3/5 stars.
- Combat Max Roach Killing Gel (Best for indoor and outdoor roach control). Our rating: 4.3/5 stars.
- Hot Shot HG-96591 Ultra Liquid Roach Bait (Best for a fast eradication of roaches). Our rating: 4.5/5 stars.
- Advion 68663 Arena 12ct Bag Cockroach Bait Station (Best for killing all species of cockroaches). Our rating: 4.3/5 stars.
- Raid Double Control, Large Roach Baits (Best for killing large roaches in their nests). Our rating: 4.4/5 stars.
- TERRO T500SR Multi-Surface Roach Baits (Best for complete eradication of cockroaches). Our rating: 4.2/5 stars.
The Best Roach Bait Shopping Guide
If you are out looking for a roach bait, you need to have tips that will help you select the best option. You do not want to employ a trial and error approach because it will cost you time and money. So, always be on the lookout for the following qualities:
Active Ingredients
The term active ingredient refers to the roach bait component that kills roaches. It may also mean the element liable for eradicating the entire cockroach population in a nest. The following are some of the active ingredients found in roach baits:
Fipronil
Most bait strips and stations contain Fipronil. Whenever roaches eat this ingredient, their central nervous system becomes disrupted. Afterward, bugs die within 24 hours. The cannibalistic tendency of cockroaches makes the living ones eat the dead ones. So, the poison of the bait can spread to their second generation.
Hydramethylnon
Hydramethylnon is a slow-working roach bait. It allows roaches that have ingested it to crawl back to their nests. Such cockroaches infect others through fecal matter ingestion or body contact. Whenever roaches consume or come into contact with Hydramethylnon, it inhibits their cell mitochondrial energy production. Afterward, their death occurs within 72 hours.
Indoxacarb
Most gel baits contain Indoxacarb. The ingredient disrupts the nerve cell transmission to stop the movement of sodium ions into the cell of a roach. So, the chemical signal chain stops, and the essential life functions break down.
Indoxacarb continues to kill roaches in their nest for three generations. It facilitates the complete eradication of insects. However, the exercise can take several weeks to clear a significant infestation, given that it takes four days for a roach to die.
Boric Acid
Boric acid can be in the form of powder, paste, granules, and tablets mixed with sugar and other roach baits. It causes dehydration to a cockroach after its ingestion. It can also destroy the waxy coating of a roach.
It takes up to 72 hours for boric acid to kill a roach. Roaches that touch boric acid go back to their nest and infect others with the poison through body contact. So, the poison can spread throughout a roach nest.
Roach Species
Roaches have 4,000 species. However, the popular species in most American homes are the American, German, and oriental species.
American Species
You can find the American roach species in both indoor and outdoor nests. They are less selective on areas that they occupy. So, they can invade your attic, kitchen, basement, bathroom, and various parts of your yard. The American roaches are shiny and reddish-brown in appearance. Their length is 0.2 to 0.6 inches (0.52 to 1.5 centimeters).
German Species
The German roach species vary in color. Their color ranges from tan to light black. They also grow up to 0.5 inches (1.27 centimeters) in length. They have two dark lines or streaks that run from their head to their wing base. You can find them in bathrooms, kitchens, and other humid indoor areas of your house.
Oriental Species
Oriental species are either black or dark brown. They also have a glossy shine on their carapace (exterior shell). They grow to almost an inch (2.54 centimeters) in length. Also, they run instead of flying, even though they have wings. You can find them in basements, leaf piles, cellars, and other cool and damp areas.
Bait Type
You can get an array of roach bait types in the market. You have an option of buying bait stations, powder, gel, strips, or adhesive traps.
Bait Stations
If you have children and pets in your home, bait stations are an ideal bait type for you. Base stations feature a plastic shell that contains roach poison. So, the roaches have to enter the cover, ingest or come into contact with the poison, and get out to spread the poison in their nests.
Powder Baits
A typical powder bait contains boric acid mixed with sugar and other ingredients which lure roaches. The death of cockroaches occurs when they ingest or touch the powder bait. If you have roaches in the cracks or crevices of your house, you can use powder baits. However, never sprinkle areas that your children and pets frequent.
Gel Baits
Gel baits are ideal for filling cracks where roaches hide. You can also smear the surfaces where bugs travel, such as behind your electrical appliances. Roaches die after ingesting or coming into contact with gel baits.
Bait Strips
Bait strips are hard-to-see narrow troughs that attract and kill roaches. Their poison also spreads in roach nests whenever an affected insect goes back to others. They are more discreet than the bait stations in the eyes of roaches. However, bait strips are not ideal for homes with children and pets.
Adhesive Traps
Adhesive traps are ideal for homes with children and pets. The traps are not poisonous. However, the adhesive substance is strong and can be a nuisance to children and pets. So, keep the traps out of reach.
The adhesive substance on the traps attracts and catches roaches. Individual roaches that get stuck die because of immobility. However, the nest remains unharmed. So, use the traps to address a minor roach infestation.
Length of Efficacy
The best roach killer remains lethal to roaches a long time after its application. Some roach baits remain effective for one week, while others require reapplication after six months or a year.
However, weather elements can compromise the efficacy of most outdoor baits. Extremely high or low temperatures, rain, and snow are among the weather elements that reduce the length of efficacy of roach baits.
If you have to reapply your roach bait, follow the instructions from the manufacturer. The instructions indicate when to reapply the bait. They also show the favorable conditions that prolong the length of the efficacy of the bait.
Safety Factors
Children and pets are vulnerable to roach bait poison. They are not wary of the harm that the toxin can cause. So, it is difficult to control roaches in homes with children and pets.
But, you can use bait stations with plastic shelling. The stations have openings enough for roaches to get to the poison. However, children can still destroy the stations. So, keep them out of sight and reach of children.
You can opt for the adhesive strips instead of using poisonous baits in homes with pets and children. This is because the adhesive substance on the strips is not toxic. However, it can stick on fur, skin, or hair. So, keep the strips where children and pets cannot reach, such as crevices or behind appliances.
Ease of Application and Use
You do not require complex expertise to use or apply roach baits. However, it is easier to use some baits than others. The following are some of the application methods of roach baits:
Bait Stations
Bait stations are some of the simplest roach baits to use. You only place them in the indoor and outdoor target locations. Afterward, replace them when their efficacy time lapses.
Bait Strips
You can place bait strips anywhere in your house. Removing the back peel of the bait strip makes it stick it on your target location. However, never leave the ribbon on the floor.
Adhesive Traps
Always place your adhesive traps on the ground or any other surface to lure roaches. You can opt for box adhesive traps or flapped ones. The latter has a larger trapping surface area.
Gel Baits
The packaging of gel baits is a plunger. It is similar to the packaging of industrial glue. Squeezing the gel out of the tube enables you to apply the bait on crevices, narrow corners, and cracks. You can also use the gel anywhere else.
Powder Baits
Powder baits are for indoor and outdoor applications. However, powder baits can be messy. So, apply them in inaccessible areas, such as cracks and crevices.
Toxicity
Roach killers are naturally toxic. However, other non-toxic chemicals also exterminate roaches. Apart from Fipronil, most roach baits’ active ingredients are less harmful to humans and animals. The following is the toxicity levels of some active ingredients found in roach baits:
Cypermethrin
Cypermethrin is a fast-acting insect neurotoxin. However, it is less of an irritant to people and mammals. You need to avoid any skin contact with it even though it is less harmful. Also, it may contain some compounds that can harm aquatic life.
Fipronil
Fipronil is heavily toxic to pests and rodents. But, it causes less skin irritation in humans. As a result, its consumption can cause serious effects even though the impact is not life-threatening.
Imiprothrin
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) categorizes Imiprothrin as a toxin with a low level of toxicity to people. It causes mild irritation to the skin and eyes. So, it is ideal for indoor application.
Indoxacarb
According to EPA, Indoxacarb is not likely a human carcinogen. It is a pyrethroid that prevents the transmission of insect-related pathogenic micro-organisms to animals and people. However, it can cause neurotoxicity in rats and mice. So, seek medical attention after its ingestion.
Effectiveness
Undoubtedly, the effectiveness of a roach bait is the most important aspect of the bait. It equates with the lethal value of the active ingredients. For example, Cypermethrin and Fipronil are both highly toxic to roaches. Other active ingredients of roach baits have a lower toxin level.
From the toxicity discussion, you can interpret the effectiveness of each active ingredient. So, be on the lookout for the active ingredient in roach baits.
Our Top Picks for the Best Roach Bait
Syngenta 383920 Advion Cockroach Gel Bait: Best for Controlling Roaches in Single and Multi-Family Residential Buildings, Public Facilities, and Public Transportation Media
You can use Syngenta in both private and public facilities. So, it is the best roach killer for apartments, commercial buildings, and any transportation media. You can also use it for heavy, medium, and light cockroach infestations. Additionally, Syngenta kills all species of roaches. Lastly, it contains a non-repellent active ingredient that keeps on luring insects.
- Type of bait: Gel
- Pros: It applies to all levels of infestations, applies to food-handling facilities, controls all roach species, and is fast-acting.
- Cons: It is messy and not ideal for homes with children.
- Package weight: 4.2 ounces (120 grams)
- Applications: Four tubes
- Rain-resistance: High
- Degradation resistance: High
- Indoor, outdoor use, or both: Both
- Length of efficacy: Three months
- Safety factor: Not safe for children below three years of age
- How fast does the product react and start working: 24 Hours
- Size of product: 7.6 x 5.4 x 1.9 inches (19.3 x 13.7 x 4.8 centimeters)
- Effective against: All roach species
- List of ingredients: Indoxacarb and other ingredients
- Brand: Syngenta
- Care instructions: Wash thoroughly with soap and water after skin contact, store away from food, and avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing.
Combat Max 12 Month Roach Killing Bait: Best for Luring, Killing, and Repelling Cockroaches
Combat Max is a fast-acting roach bait that kills in minutes. It also repels roaches for up to 12 months. Also, it does not require activation, and it never makes a mess. You can place it anywhere and wait for it to wipe off every roach nest. You will find Combat children-safe.
- Type of bait: Gel/bait station
- Pros: Wide coverage, kills in hours, lasts for up to 12 months, designed for German cockroaches, and easy to set up.
- Cons: Not ideal for permanent eradication of roaches.
- Package weight: 0.63 ounces (18 grams)
- Applications: 18
- Rain-resistance: Low
- Degradation resistance: High
- Indoor, outdoor use, or both: Indoor
- Length of efficacy: 12 Months
- Safety factor: Keep out of children’s reach. Combat is hazardous to humans and animals.
- How fast does the product react and start working: Hours
- Size of product: 1.8 x 7.1 x 4.6 inches (4.6 x 18.03 x 11.68 centimeters)
- Effective against: Small roaches
- List of ingredients: Fipronil and other ingredients
- Brand: Combat
- Care Instructions: Wash your hands thoroughly after touching the station. Also, never reuse its container.
Combat Max Roach Killing Gel: Best for Indoor and Outdoor Roach Control (Amazon’s Choice Award: Number One Bestseller)
Combat Max starts killing roaches in hours. It targets large cockroaches and is ideal for hard-to-reach areas, including cracks. Also, it has a long residual effect. Combat attracts insects with water and food that they need. It is ideal for killing roaches in their nests.
- Type of bait: Gel
- Pros: Kills roaches in hours, ideal for inaccessible areas, long residual effect, and suitable for small and big roaches
- Cons: Unfit for homes with kids and pets
- Package weight: 2.1 ounces (59.51 grams)
- Applications: One
- Rain-resistance: High
- Degradation resistance: High
- Indoor, outdoor use, or both: Both
- Length of efficacy: Three months
- Safety factor: Apply in areas inaccessible to children and pets
- How fast does the product react and start working: Hours
- Size of product: 0.06 cubic inches (1 cubic centimeter)
- Effective against: Small and large roaches
- List of ingredients: Fipronil and other ingredients
- Brand: Combat
- Care instructions: Avoid eye, skin, and clothing contact, wash thoroughly with soap and water after skin contact and call for medical advice.
Hot Shot HG-96591 Ultra Liquid Roach Bait: Best for Killing Roaches Quickly
Hot shot HG-96591 roach bait eradicates roaches and their eggs in a matter of hours. It is a quick-kill formula that targets small and large cockroaches. Also, it kills roaches from their breeding nests. Hot Shot combines water and attractive food that insects cannot resist.
- Type of bait: Liquid/bait station
- Pros: Kills in a matter of hours, targets small and large roaches, eradicates roach eggs, and is irresistible to insects.
- Cons: Unfit for outdoor use
- Package Weight: 1.89 pounds (0.85 kilograms)
- Applications: Three and eighteen
- Rain-resistance: Low
- Degradation resistance: Low (the product can evaporate)
- Indoor, outdoor use, or both: Indoor
- Length of efficacy: Three months
- Safety factor: Children- and pet-friendly
- How fast does the product react and start working: Instant
- Size of product: 1.44 x 4.18 x 6.75 inches (3.66 x 10.62 x 17.15 centimeters)
- Effective against: All roach species
- List of ingredients: Boric acid and other ingredients
- Brand: Hot Shot
- Care instructions: Anyone who touches the bait should wash thoroughly with soap and water.
Advion 68663 Arena 12ct Bag Cockroach Bait Station: Best for Killing All Species of Cockroaches (Amazon’s Choice Award in Pest Control Baits & Lures by Advion)
Advion roach killer targets all roach species. It does not have residue or color. So, it is not messy. Also, it contains Indoxacarb that facilitates a total eradication of roaches. Finally, its slow reaction ensures bugs take it back to their nests. So, it gets to the roach nests and continues killing them. You can use it in commercial and residential facilities.
- Type of bait: Bait station
- Pros: More effective than sprays, children-and pet-safe, indoor and outdoor use, and low toxicity to pets and humans.
- Cons: Unfit for surfaces recently sprayed.
- Package weight: 5.3 ounces (150.26 grams)
- Applications: 12
- Rain-resistance: High
- Degradation resistance: High
- Indoor, outdoor use, or both: Both
- Length of efficacy: Three months
- Safety factor: Children- and pet-safe
- How fast does the product react and start working: Instant
- Size of product: 8.5 x 11.5 x 2.5 inches (21.59 x 29.21 x 6.35 centimeters)
- Effective against: All roach species
- List of ingredients: Indoxacarb and other ingredients
- Brand: Advion
- Care instructions: Avoid direct contact with the bait on your skin
Raid Double Control, Large Roach Baits: Best for Killing Large Roaches in Their Nests
Raid roach baits keep on killing roaches for three months. If you have a high infestation, Raid stands as the best option for you. Also, you will never worry that your children will come into contact with the bait ingredients because it has a plastic shell that protects its poisonous contents. Raid has a combination of foods that finish off roaches within days.
- Type of bait: Bait station
- Pros: Has a long residual effect, ideal for a high roach infestation, children- and pet-safe
- Cons: Unfit for outdoor use
- Package weight: 0.7 ounces (19.8 grams)
- Applications: Eight
- Rain-resistance: High
- Degradation resistance: High
- Indoor, outdoor use, or both: Indoor
- Length of efficacy: Three months
- Safety factor: Keep in an inaccessible area to children and pets
- How fast does the product react and start working: Within days
- Size of product: 1.81 x 5.57 x 7.19 inches (4.6 x 14.15 x 18.26 centimeters)
- Effective against: Large roaches
- List of ingredients: Avermectin B1, peanuts, and peanut products
- Brand: Raid
- Care instructions: Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing, and wash with water and soap after handling it
TERRO T500SR Multi-Surface Roach Baits: Best for Complete Eradication of Cockroaches (Amazon’s Choice Award in Pest Control Baits & Lures by Terro)
If you want a complete eradication of roaches, Terro is one of the best options. Its bait stations have a see-through window that allows you to identify when to replace the bait. The stations also have adhesive strips to place the stations in inaccessible areas, including vertical surfaces. Also, the stations have four entry points to maximize their roach eradication spree.
- Type of bait: Bait station
- Pros: It attracts and kills roaches slowly, can hold on vertical surfaces, and facilitates a complete eradication of cockroaches.
- Cons: For indoors only and it applies to small spaces
- Package weight: 10.4 ounces (294.84 grams)
- Applications: 12
- Rain-resistance: Low
- Degradation resistance: High
- Indoor, outdoor use, or both: Indoor
- Length of efficacy: Until when the bait gets depleted
- Safety factor: Keep away from children
- How fast does the product react and start working: Slow-reaction
- Size of product: 1.9 x 1.9 x 0.5 inches (4.82 x 4.82 x 1.27 centimeter)
- Effective against: All roach species
- List of ingredients: Abamectin B1 and other ingredients
- Brand: Woodstream Corporation
- Care instructions: Contamination with Abamectin B1 causes reproduction harm and birth abnormalities to people. So, handle with care.
FAQs on Baits for Roaches
Q: Does roach bait attract more roaches?
A: No. Roach bait lures the roaches that you have in your house. If it attracts more cockroaches, it is because you had not seen all bugs in your home before applying it.
Q: Do roaches come back after bait treatment?
A: A roach eradication exercise does not guarantee a non-recurrence of an infestation. So, make your home unattractive to pests. For example, you can seal all cracks and holes, keep your floor clean, and remove any accessible source of food.
Q: Does bleach kill roaches?
A: Yes. Bleach can kill roaches. However, its safety and efficiency are questionable because it does not specialize in eradicating pests.
Q: Does boric acid kill all types of roaches?
A: Boric acid is one of the best roach poisons. It is an effective solution to a roach infestation. Also, it kills through ingestion or contact. However, it is in powder form, and it can be messy. Also, it loses potential quickly.
Q: Which roach bait is the best for me?
A: The best option depends on the level of roach infestation. It also depends on the amount of work you are willing to do to eradicate roaches. But, any of our seven roach bait recommendations can suit you. Nevertheless, here are some of the pros and cons of some types of roach baits:
- Bait stations: You only need to drop a few plastic discs around your home and make a replacement after 12 months. However, you have to clean up often because dead roaches will scatter around.
- Gel baits: Gel baits prevent roaches from creating regular trails in your home. However, they leave several dead bugs lying around.
- Sticky traps: Sticky traps are poison-free. You can use them in a home with children and pets. However, they are cruel because they starve or exhaust roaches. Also, they are too large to conceal.
Q: How do I prevent roaches from returning?
A: Cleanliness is one of the most effective methods of preventing the recurrence of roach infestation. If you leave your house dirty, you will attract roaches and other pests. So, keep the dishes and counters clean, clean all dishes after a meal, and use air-tight containers to store food, among other practices that will keep your house in order.
Our Final Say on Roach Bait
The best roach bait is the Syngenta 383920 Advion Cockroach Gel Bait. It is best for controlling roaches in single- and multi-family residential buildings, public facilities, and public transportation media. We rate it 4.6 out of 5 stars because of its multipurpose nature, fast-killing rate, and prolonged residual effect.
Telling you about the best roach bait without telling you about the best practices when using roach bait is unfair. So, here are some of the best methods to employ when using roach baits:
- Before applying roach bait, clean any surface with food scraps, including carpets, floor, and countertops.
- Roaches come out at night. They also come in groups. So, do not wait for your bait to work in the daytime. Let it lie overnight. If you have an idea of the location of the roach nest, place your bait as close as possible. If unsure, lay a couple of lures in the most probable places where roaches can make their nest.
- Corners or your room points where the wall meets the floor and behind appliances are some of the locations you should consider when laying your roach baits.
- Never put your bait in the middle of a room. The move makes it hard for the roaches to spot your bait.
- Ensure that your roach bait is the only food available for roaches in your house. Having leftovers will distract the cockroaches from getting to the bait.
So, you are now good to go when it comes to the selection and application of roach baits. However, if you have any queries, never desist from contacting an expert roach killer for more advice. Read our article and find out How To Get Rid of HoverFlies.