Best Roach Killer - Get Rid of Roaches Without an Exterminator

Did you spot roaches in your home?
Are you looking for the best products and tips
on how to get rid of roaches without an exterminator?

You've come to the right place!
We have reviewed some of the best roach killers on the market, so read on.

Fact: Roaches are a health risk!
They can spread bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella and aggravate allergies and asthma.



Source: Magic of the Smokies

Many people who discover roaches in their homes rush to call a professional exterminator.

In this article you'll see that you can be equally successful with do it yourself roach control efforts, and save A LOT of money.

Types of Roaches

While there are more than 4,000 types of cockroaches, very few of them attempt to invade human dwellings.
Here’s a rundown on the types you are most likely to find in a home.

The American Cockroach

The American Cockroach is reddish brown in color and can grow to be quite large.

They are most often found around pipes and sewers or in basements.

They prefer warm temperatures, but they can survive even in extremely cold conditions. As a result, they are found throughout the United States.
Read more on the American Cockroach.



The German Cockroach

The German Cockroach is a small cockroach.
Its color varies from tan to almost black, and it has two dark, parallel, streaks running from behind the head to the base of the wings.

Their most frequent location is the kitchen or bathroom, but they will happily live in any area where people eat or drink.

It also has been linked to outbreaks of disease and exacerbation of allergies and asthma.
Read more on the German Cockroach.



The Brown Branded Cockroach

The Brown Banded Cockroach has contrasting bands of brown on its body.

These roaches prefer warmer, drier and lighter locations than other types of roaches, so you are more likely to find this species in upper cabinets or outside of kitchens or bathrooms.
Read more on the Brown Branded Cockroach.



The Oriental Cockroach

The Oriental Cockroach is one of the dirtiest of all the roaches, and it can be found in basements and crawl spaces.

Their bodies are dark and shiny, and they often have a strong odor.
Read more on the Brown Branded Cockroach.



How to Get Rid of Roaches - The Method

To get rid of roaches, there are certain steps that you need to follow:

We'll now explain these steps and review all the products relevant for each step, roach killer products, the best roach trap and the best roach gel bait.

Detection - Do I Have a Cockroach Infestation?

If you see a roach during the day, it’s a good sign that your home is infested.

Since cockroaches are nocturnal, the fact that one is out and about during daylight hours is a sign that there are many more in the home.

Another telltale sign is the presence of roach feces in areas where the roaches are likely to be—such as under sinks and around drains.



Depending on the size and species of cockroach involved, the feces may be small and fine grained like a speck of pepper or it may be large, ridged and cylindrical.

If you notice cockroach feces, vacuum any traces and clean the area with soap and hot water. Dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag immediately.

As noted above, Oriental Cockroaches and some other varieties emit a noxious odor.
If you notice an unusual and unpleasant odor in an area where roaches like to live, that is another sign of infestation.

Many people are skeptical of their ability to actually control a roach infestation on their own, but if you'll follow our steps, you can easily manage it.

If you have tried some of our suggested roach killer products and you still have roaches, it may be time to call in a professional.

Key Takeaway

The first thing you need to do is check if you have a roach infestation.
Best signs are - Seeing a roach during the day, presence of roach feces (under the sink or in the cupboards).

Roach Extermination - The Best Cockroach Killers

Are you suffering from a cockroach infestation?
Do you need an off the shelf roach spray?

It isn’t easy to find the best roach killer because there are so many types and brands to choose from.

To save you some time, here’s a primer on some of the different DIY roach control methods.

The Best Roach Gel Bait

One of the most effective roach killers for apartments & indoors is the roach gel bait.

This method takes advantage of the cannibalism nature of cockroaches.
Let the roaches kill each other!

When a roach consumes a poisonous bait it doesn't die immediately.
The poison has a delayed toxicant activity. The infected roaches go back to the nest where they excrete feces which other roaches eat and get infected.

The infected roaches die and other roaches feed on their carcass.

This cycle continue, and this cascading effect can wipe out whole colonies.

Apply small amount of the gel bait in strategic places such as, under the sink, behind the fridge, in small crevices, inside cabinets.

We recommend the Advion cockroach gel bait, its the best!

Advion Syngenta Cockroach Gel Bait

PROS

  • Highly Effective.
  • Easy to Use.
  • Great Value for the Price.

CONS

  • Not Pet or Children Safe (apply the gel out of their reach)

The Best Roach Trap

It doesn't matter if you have a roach infestation or just a tiny roach problem.
The roach trap is for trapping and killing the wandering roaches in your house.

Roach Traps attract roaches, and once the roaches get in, they can't get out and they die of hunger.

The roach is safe for pets and children and you can put it somewhere and forget about it.
You won't see the dead roaches and once you're done you can simply throw it away.
Black Flag Roach Motel is the best trap currently on the market.

Black Flag Roach Motel Insect Trap

PROS

  • Very Cheap.
  • Easy to Use.
  • Safe for Pets and Children.
  • No Poison Used.

CONS

  • In Some Cases the Trap Can Be Ineffective.

The Best Roach Spray

No matter what There's always a need for a quick solution.
A product that will kill a roach or other insects very fast.

This is why you need a roach spray.

We have picked the best roach spray, which kills roaches and other insects on contact,
Sprays won't help with infestation or will kill the nest, so their use is only as a supplement and not as a solution for the problem. Non the less you should have one over the counter.

Raid Ant & Roach Killer

PROS

  • Dirt Cheap.
  • Fragrance Free
  • Very Effective, Kills on Contact.

CONS

  • None, It Does the Job.

The Best Natural Roach Killer

If you are looking for an eco-friendly option, one of the best natural roach killer products is PestGuard Zap-A-Roach.

It is very effective, made from Boric Acid which is great against roaches.
This is a powder that sticks to the roaches, when they clean their body by licking, they eat the powder, get poisoned and die.

As cockroaches are cannibalistic, they eat the dead roaches and get infected.
The cycle continues this way.

It takes a bit of time so please be patient, but it'll kill the roaches, apply in places where roaches were spotted. Make sure it is out of children's reach.

A good tip is mixing the powder with a bit of bait.

PestGuard Zap-A-Roach Boric Acid

PROS

  • Natural.
  • Very Cheap.
  • Highly Effective.

CONS

  • Not Safe for Kids and Pets.

The Best Organic Roach Killer

The best organic roach killers use natural and organic ingredients.

One such product is Orange Guard 103 Water Based Indoor/Outdoor Home Pest Control. It is effective, and certified for use in organic farming and gardening by the OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute).

Its active ingredient is D-Limonene (Orange Peel Oil). Orange peel is a natural insect repellent, so this concentrated form is highly effective and pleasantly citrusy.

Orange Guard 103 Water Based Indoor/Outdoor Pest Control

PROS

  • Organic.
  • Safe for Pets and Children.

CONS

  • Less Effective Then Chemical Products.

Another great option for organic roach control product is: Harris Roach Tablets.

They are very cheap.
They are easy to use. You simply place a small tab in areas where roaches congregate, such as under the refrigerator or sink.

The active ingredient is boric acid, a natural insect repellent. The roaches carry it back to the nest where it kills the roaches without messy sprays or fumes.

Defending and Repelling - Keep the Roaches Out.

After applying Bait Gel or setting up a roach trap, the next thing to do is make sure the roaches won't get back.

One such option is using a perimeter protectant, Ortho Home Defense.

You can apply the this protectant indoor and outdoor.
It will repel and kill roaches (and other insects).

This product used by professional exterminators and is very very effective.

This product will create a barrier that will prevent roaches and other insects from getting into your house.

It leaves no odors and will continue killing and repelling roaches for up to 3 months. 

The only con of this product is that it is a bit expensive, but for the results you'll get it is worth it!

Ortho Home Defense MAX Insect Killer

PROS

  • Used By Professionals.
  • Very Effective.
  • Pet Safe.
  • No Odor.

CONS

  • Not Cheap.

Another great roach repellent product is: Ortho Home Defense MAX Insect Killer.

It's cheap and effective, you can use it indoor and outdoor. It provides defense for up to 12 months indoor and 3 months outdoor.

Prevention - Simple Steps That Will Prevent Roaches From Coming Back

The best way to deal with cockroaches is to ensure that they don’t invade your home in the first place.

There are some simple steps that will make your home an unattractive location for roaches.

  • Never leave food stored in the open, especially if it’s sweet.
  • Clean up any crumbs or spills right away, before they have time to attract roaches, who will move into any area with a ready source of food.
  • Clean up damp areas like sinks and drains, and if you have leaks, repair them quickly before mold and rot can take hold.
  • Keep the foundation of your house free of rotting vegetation and dead leaves that roaches can feast on.
  • Seal cracks in your foundation. Don’t assume any crack is too narrow for a roach to use as a gateway.
  • Empty trash bins and keep your house clean.

You can read here on roach health risks and great tips on how to keep your house roach free. 

Key Takeaway

The most important thing is keeping your house clean. Roaches will come to places with food.

Wrapping Up

When you first discover that your home has a cockroach infestation, you may think that the only way to eliminate and control the problem is by calling in a professional exterminator.

First, make sure your house is clean by mopping up spills and vacuuming away crumbs, and tightly seal all cracks around the foundation and drains.

Once that is done, it is actually simple and relatively easy to solve the problem with do it yourself roach control efforts using some of the products listed above.

Choose the product or combination of products that fits with your lifestyle, whether that is bait, spray or powder.
If the first product you try doesn’t work after giving it some time, move on and try a different product or type of product.

Eventually, you will find your home is free of roaches, and you will be living in a much more healthful and sanitary environment.