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7 Best Roach Killers in 2023: Reviews & Top Picks

spraying cockroaches with insecticide

spraying cockroaches with insecticide

Nobody wants roaches in their home. If you don’t act fast when you see one, they can quickly get out of hand, requiring the help of a professional to eliminate them. Many people looking to take preventative measures don’t know where to start, so keep reading as we list reviews of the most popular roach-killing products and discuss the pros and cons of each. There’s also a buyer’s guide that explains what to look for if you continue to shop so you can make an informed purchase.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
T502 Indoor Bait Roach Gel Killer T502 Indoor Bait Roach Gel Killer
  • Attracts and kills
  • Works fast
  • Easy to apply
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Raid Multi-Insect Killer Spray Bottle Raid Multi-Insect Killer Spray Bottle
  • Safe to use around kids and pets
  • Works on multiple insects
  • Fast acting
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Advion 383920 Advion 383920
  • Works fast
  • Works on multiple insects
  • No scent
  • Harris Boric Acid Roach and Silverfish Killer Powder Harris Boric Acid Roach and Silverfish Killer Powder
  • Works fast
  • Includes duster
  • EPA registered
  • Combat Roach Killing Bait Combat Roach Killing Bait
  • Easy to use
  • Destroys the nest
  • Child resistant
  • The 7 Best Roach Killers 

    1. T502 Indoor Bait Roach Gel Killer — Best Overall

    T502 Ready-to-Use Indoor Roach Bait Roach Gel Killer

    Item Form: Gel

    T502 Ready-to-Use Indoor Roach Bait Roach Gel Killer is our pick as the best overall roach killer in 2022. The gel attracts the roaches and poisons them so they die quickly. It also helps destroy the nest because the roaches take the gel back with them. Applying it with one hand using the built-in plunger is easy. It’s not messy and there is no waste.

    The downside to the T502 brand is that it can dry out quickly, especially in a warm house, and will no longer be effective. Another problem is that the instructions are tiny and difficult to read.

    Pros
    • Attracts and kills
    • Works fast
    • Easy to apply
    • No mess
    Cons
    • Dries up quickly
    • Instructions are hard to read

    2. Raid Multi-Insect Killer Spray Bottle  — Best Value

    Raid Essentials Multi-Insect Killer Spray Bottle

    Item Form: Spray

    Raid Essentials Multi-Insect Killer Spray Bottle is our pick as the best roach killer for the money, and it’s one of the only brands safe to use around pets and children. The formula works on many insects; some users report success with roaches, flies, and ants. It works quickly and is most effective when spraying directly on the bug that you are trying to kill.

    The downside to Raid Essentials is that it has a bad odor and leaves an oily residue behind that can be difficult to clean up.

    Pros
    • Safe to use around kids and pets
    • Works on multiple insects
    • Fast acting
    Cons
    • Bad odor
    • Oily residue

    3. Advion 383920 — Premium Choice

    advion 383920

    Item Form: Gel

    The Advion 383920 is a powerful insecticide that eliminates roaches and other insects, including ants, which is why it is our premium choice. It includes four tubes of gel and four plungers that you can use to spread the poison around the insect’s entrance and exit points. It works fast and has no scent, and many people reviewing it say that it rid their home of roaches.

    The downside to Advion is that it is expensive compared to most other options, and you need to purchase this product fresh because it dries out quickly and won’t be effective if you use some that has been stored.

    Pros
    • Works fast
    • Works on multiple insects
    • No scent
    Cons
    • Dries up fast
    • Expensive

    4. Harris Boric Acid Roach and Silverfish Killer Powder

    Harris Boric Acid Roach and Silverfish Killer Powder

    Item Form: Powder

    Harris Boric Acid Roach and Silverfish Killer Powder w/Lure is a great roach killer. It’s an EPA-registered, boric acid-based product with an irresistible lure that brings the roaches to the trap and poisons them. It also comes with a duster that enables you to spray the powder into tiny holes, and it works quickly. If you keep the area dry, the powder will continue to work for several weeks after the initial application.

    The downside to the Harris brand is that it can be difficult to get the powder into the applicator without getting it on your clothes. It’s also quite expensive.

    Pros
    • Works fast
    • Includes duster
    • EPA registered
    Cons
    • Easy to get on your skin and clothes
    • Expensive

    5. Combat Roach Killing Bait

    Combat Roach Killing Bait

    Item Form: Trap

    Combat Roach Killing Bait is an easy-to-use system that only requires placing a child-resistant trap wherever you see a roach. The roaches enter the trap, pick up the poison, and take it back to the nest, where they share it with others, eventually destroying the nest. These are ideal when you have children or pets that might get into a powder or gel.

    The downside to the Combat traps is that sometimes the roaches go for the bait, which works great, but other times, they will ignore it, making them much less effective.

    Pros
    • Easy to use
    • Destroys the nest
    • Child resistant
    Cons
    • Results can vary

    6. Hot Shot HG-95789 Roach Killer

    Hot Shot Liquid Roach Bait

    Item Form: Liquid

    Hot Shot HG-95789 Roach Killer traps are easy to place around your home wherever you see roaches; you just let them do their work. This brand uses a liquid fast-kill formula that smells nice to the roaches, attracting them. Each pack comes with multiple stations for better protection.

    The main problem with Hot Shot is that the liquid can dry out quickly, making the traps ineffective, and there is no way to tell if they are still working. A few people also complained about getting liquid on themselves when trying to open the traps.

    Pros
    • Quick-kill formula
    • Attracts and poisons
    • Multiple stations
    Cons
    • Dries out quickly

    7. Tysonir Roach Killer

    Tysonir Roach Killer

    Item Form: Glue

    Tysonir Roach Killer is a glue trap that uses a strong adhesive along with a powerful bait to attract and trap the insects so you can dispose of them. The glue stays good for several months, and your purchase includes 10 traps. It’s easy to set up, and there are no dangerous chemicals to spill out. It will also trap any other insects that venture inside, and it has many openings.

    The downside to the Tysonir glue traps is that they won’t damage the nest, so the roaches will keep coming.

    Pros
    • Multiple traps
    • Easy to use
    Cons
    • Doesn’t damage the nest

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    Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Roach Killers

    What Kind of Roach Killer Should I Get?

    The best roach killers are the gels and other products that have the roaches returning to the nest with the poison, where it can do the most damage. It’s important to attack the nest before the population gets out of control, requiring you to seek out professional assistance. Glue traps, sprays, and powders will help eliminate the insects that you see but will do little to combat a growing problem. However, if you have pets, you must ensure that the gel or powder is out of reach; sealed traps are a better option.

    Other Tips and Tricks to Keep Roaches Away
    • Clean and remove all food scraps after every meal.
    • Place all dry food in plastic, airtight containers.
    • Never leave dirty dishes in the sink.
    • Seal all cracks and holes in your walls with caulk.
    • Put tight-fitting lids on your garbage cans.

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    Conclusion

    If you need a roach killer, we recommend our pick as the best overall. T502 Ready-to-Use Indoor Roach Bait Roach Gel Killer attracts and kills roaches without leaving a mess. It works fast, is easy to apply, and attacks the nest to help you get rid of the roaches permanently. We recommend our premium choice if you already have a large roach problem. Advion 383920 is a powerful insecticide that quickly poisons the nest, eliminating the insects. Most users report success with a single application, making it worth the high cost.


    Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock

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