The 10 Best Roach Killers
This wiki has been updated 27 times since it was first published in March of 2018. Having house guests is stressful enough, but when they bring their millions of kids (and diseases) with them, it gets even worse. Luckily, these roach killers will evict unwanted visitors quickly and efficiently, so that you can enjoy your home without sharing it. Be careful where you use them, however, as they may not all be suitable for use around kids and pets, so be sure to read labels first. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Tempo Ultra SC
2. Combat Max Large
3. Bengal Gold
Editor's Notes
February 09, 2021:
They don't often come up with new pesticides for consumer use, as there is a laborious process to researching their safety and efficacy, and then getting them approved. Because of this, most roach killers use one or more of a handful of different chemicals, just in different concentrations and sometimes combined with various other ingredients. So, while you may sometimes see new products on the shelf, even from well established companies, it is more often than not just new packaging or marketing, and the underlying ingredients remain basically the same. Understanding this, and having already determined that all of our recommendations are very effective at ridding homes and commercial spaces of unwanted insects, we have decided not to make any changes to our lineup at this time. If at any point in the future a new roach killer is released that proves to either be more effective, safer, or simply more affordable for the same level of efficacy, we will be quick to update this list.
October 18, 2019:
There are few things worse than having a roach infestation in your home. Seeing those disgusting insects scurrying across your floor or counter top might prompt you to quickly call an exterminator, however, you can get the same results with one of these DIY roach killers while saving a lot of money in the process.
While the majority of the products that made our list last year still warranted a place during the most recent update, there were two exceptions. We replaced Combat Source Kill 5 with Combat Max Large because the latter contains a faster acting poison than the first, resulting in users seeing results in as little as a day versus about a week. EcoSmart Organic was removed because, though natural, many people found the smell extremely offensive. Plus, there were multiple reports of its ineffectiveness.
When it comes to ease of use, there are few options more simple than bait stations like the previously mentioned Combat Max Large and Hot Shot Ultra Liquid. With these types of products, none of the poison is exposed, so there is no chance of you, a pet, or child accidentally touching it. The downside is that these tend to only work for about three months.
If you don't mind a little more hands-on application to have something that lasts longer, you may want to consider Bengal Gold and Raid Max Ant and Roach, which will work for six months, or Bayer MaxForce FC Magnum, which stays potent for up to a year.
If you have multiple types of infestations indoors and out, Tempo Ultra SC is a smart option. Since it kills almost everything, you won't even have to buy a separate fire ant killer for your yard.
Special Honors
Killa Vanilla Roach & Ant Spray This insecticide boasts two great features, it is extremely effective and leaves behind a pleasant odor, something few other options can offer. It comes in an aerosol form, so it is easy to spray anywhere you need it, and it kills everything from bees and ants to scorpions and roaches. neutronindustries.com
4. SC Johnson Raid Gel
5. Rockwell Labs Invict Gold
6. Bayer MaxForce FC Magnum
7. Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer
8. Raid Max Ant and Roach
9. Hot Shot Ultra Liquid
10. Zap-a-Roach Boric Acid
A wandering writer who spends as much time on the road as in front of a laptop screen, Brett can either be found hacking away furiously at the keyboard or, perhaps, enjoying a whiskey and coke on some exotic beach, sometimes both simultaneously, usually with a four-legged companion by his side. He has been a professional chef, a dog trainer, and a travel correspondent for a well-known Southeast Asian guidebook. He also holds a business degree and has spent more time than he cares to admit in boring office jobs. He has an odd obsession for playing with the latest gadgets and working on motorcycles and old Jeeps. His expertise, honed over years of experience, is in the areas of computers, electronics, travel gear, pet products, and kitchen, office and automotive equipment.