- LAST UPDATED: December 1, 2023
German cockroaches are the most widespread roaches in the USA, and you may find them all over the world. They are so numerous due to their high reproductive capacity. And the main problem with them is that their favorite diet consists of remnants of people’s food (though actually, they can eat almost anything).
That is why these nasty little creatures tend to live as close to people as they can, and their favorite accommodation is a human dwelling.
Dirty and Disgusting
You can easily recognize these nasty little guys. Adults have tan or light brown coloration with two remarkable dark strips on their pronotum, going from their head to the back. Young roaches are almost black in color, but they have the same strips.
Though these guys have wings, they rarely use them, as they prefer running to flying. They usually grow to a length of up to 16 mm.
They contaminate the space around them considerably with waste products (which can be rather allergic) and cast off the skin.
And to make the matters worse, they secrete odor compounds, so if their population is large, you may feel a mild musty smell in the room.
Another problem is the German cockroaches’ ability to reproduce at enormously high speed. So it is necessary to take all possible safeguard measures once you see at least one of these creatures in your dwelling.
How to Get Rid of German Cockroaches: An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure
No matter how hard you try to avoid the roaches, these attempts may fail. Sometimes they just appear from nowhere. But, of course, measures should be taken to prevent it.
There are several ways for them to intrude into your home. They may be brought in in boxes and bags. So check all your things outside before bringing the bag into your home if you suspect that you have cockroaches in it. It is necessary after you have spent your vacation in a not-so-clean hotel, or when your child comes home from college for the holiday.
Once the roach infestation has started in your apartment, have every confidence the pests are planning to stay with you for a long time. If you leave them with no food available, they will feed on soap, toothpaste and even books. And if you leave as much as one dirty plate in the sink overnight, the roaches will have all the opportunities for a food fest.
Considering that they usually live in warm and damp places (their natural environment is tropical), these insects prefer to reside in kitchens and bathrooms. Though the food flavor may also attract them to the dining room or even bedroom.
Cockroaches in Florida
It is especially challenging to getting rid of German cockroaches in Florida. Some people living in this state are sure that it is easier to get used to the cockroaches than to clean your dwelling from them. Here, due to the roach-friendly humid climate, these pests seem to penetrate into your house constantly. But it is not a reason to give up.
With some efforts, you can keep your house completely free from the intruders. And here the golden rule is: keep your kitchen and bathroom as clean and dry as you can. Don’t forget to wash the cabinets and appliances regularly. Also, pay attention to your yard: remove all the woodpiles and trashcans from it.
Cockroaches tend to reside in places like that, and from there they can easily move to your home. Use a dehumidifier in your house: the less humid the house is, the less attractive for the pests it is. Place screens on your windows and don’t keep the door of the house opened for a long time. If it is too hot and you feel that you will not survive with the door closed, use a screen for it, too.
With all these measures taken properly your house will be free from the cockroaches. And if the German roaches still find a way to move in with you, just follow the instructions below – and your house will soon be free.
How long does it take to get rid of roaches? For a heavy infestation, you may need up to eight weeks, but in most cases, a satisfactory result will be achieved in two weeks.
Make Your House Unsuitable for them!
As they may survive without food and water for a long time (at least 12 days) and multiply really quickly, these guys may really pose a challenge. But don’t give up; being pitiless and consistent you will certainly recover your conquered dwelling.
Step 1: Leave Them Hungry
First of all, eliminate the food sources for the roaches. Remember that many things which are garbage for you are delicacies for them.
So to leave these guys hungry you should:
- Clean all the kitchen appliances thoroughly. The food remnants and spills in and around your microwave, toaster, fridge and other devices may provide the cockroaches with food for months.
- Clean the kitchen cabinets. Even if they seem to be “almost clean”, they are sure to contain crumbs and food spills, which provide a perfect source of food for the pests.
- Consume food only in one room. Taking food around the house you will never avoid tiny spills and crumbs. And the roaches will not fail to use this benefit!
- Vacuum the floors every evening. It will contribute to overall sanitation. And cockroaches are active at night, so it is better if they don’t find any snacks at that time.
- Empty pet food containers in the evening and refill them in the morning.
- Take the rubbish out every evening.
- Keep all the food in tight or sealed packs if you want to protect it from invasion, and try to buy food every day in small amounts not to keep it in the house overnight.
Step 2: Dry Everything
The next thing to do is to eliminate humidity in your house. Of course, you can’t stop to use water at all.
But there are some ways to make your house much drier:
- Fix and replace all leaky and sweating pipes.
- Before going to bed dry all the sinks, bathtubs and showers with paper towels. Take wet towels out regularly together with another rubbish.
- Dry pet water dishes in the evening and refill them in the morning.
Step 3: Provide Them no Shelter!
And to leave these pests without proper dwelling fix as many cracks and wall voids as you can with a caulking gun. Becoming rough-sleepers definitely will not do the roaches any good.
You should also take measures to avoid further invasions into your house. Clean the outside areas near your house to the extent possible and make sure that all the windows and doors fit tightly within their frames and have no cracks.
Effective Ways to Kill German Cockroaches
Of course, you don’t need to wait till all the pests die themselves. There are many kinds of poison for roaches available on the market. Just buy some and follow the instructions.
And if you don’t want to use pesticides, there are many natural ways to kill these nasty insects.
- One of such options is baking soda. Mix equal parts of baking soda and sugar and put this mixture in small plastic plates. Place the plates wherever you believe the cockroaches will find them.
The sugar smell attracts the roaches, and soda is poisonous because while reacting with water it gives gas which causes the roach’s stomach burst. If you use this mixture, make sure that the pests have access to some water. - There is another way to build a trap for getting rid of small roaches. Take middle-sized bowls, grease them inside with a thick layer of petroleum jelly and put some food which is attractive for the roaches (that is any food actually) on the bottom of the bowl. The pests will come to eat the bite, but they will not get out of the bowl because of the petroleum jelly. Don’t forget to dispose of the trapped roaches.
- When you are already tired of the permanent battle and if you know where the shelter is, the temptation to crush them may be irresistible. Before doing it remember that afterward, you will have to clean disgusting remains. There is a much cleaner way to kill cockroaches: just suck them in a vacuum cleaner and take them outside.
If you turn on the light and come into the room, these shy guys run to their shelter like mad. So it is quite easy to determine where their nests are – just notice where they are running.
There exist dozens and dozens of ways to get rid of these nasty small roaches. So keep your chin up! Even if you live in the most cockroach-friendly climate, proper treatment will prevent infestation of your home.
There may always be a chance that you see a roach in your house occasionally. That’s not a reason for panic. Just take all the emergency measures as soon as possible – and you will win the battle!
What is the Best Roach Killer in 2024? – Your Expert Buyer’s Guide
Is that really so bad to live with roaches? Many people aren’t bothered by their company, but still, there are a few serious reasons why they should be controlled. So, what’s the best cockroach killer?
Here I suggest a comparison list of the best products with different brands for your consideration. If you require additional information, just look at the links provided next to each product’s title.
My Recommended 5 Best Roach Killers of 2024 Comparison Table
| PREVIEW | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our #1 Rated  | Combat Max Defense System Small Roach Killing Bait and Gel
| Check Price |
 | Combat Max Source Kill Roach Killing Gel
| Check Price |
Our #2 Rated  | Syngenta Advion Cockroach Gel Bait
| Check Price |
 | Bayer Maxforce FC Magnum Roach Killer Gel Bait
| Check Price |
 | Gentrol Point Source Insect Growth Regulator
| Check Price |
Controlling roaches has always been very important. The first and foremost reason why we should exterminate them is that they are a health hazard. It’s known that most of you go to the nearest store and buy pesticides that promise fast results and long-lasting effects. Do you know most of them are dangerous and you can’t use them around children and pets? Are you aware of the fact they can cause serious health problems and even lead to a fatal outcome?
Here, I going to tell you both about safe and effective extermination methods, mentioning how to use the latter ones safely. Find out what you are to get before doing anything.
And remember: you should contact professionals if you are not sure about something or are scared. They will help you to avoid harsh consequences.
Frankly speaking, most solutions available in today’s market are pretty effective. The only problem is that they are falsely used and that’s why they do not affect. While looking for the best roach killer for home, you are to pay special attention to various baits.
1. Combat Max Defense System – Best Killer Bait Station for Small Cockroaches (Editor’s Choice)
Using Combat Max cockroach killer baits, you don’t have to touch chemicals and spread them around. Today this option is regarded to be one of the safest both for children and pets. In most cases, baits are valid for up to 12 months. This fact makes them the longest-lasting options available.
All you have to do is set the purchased Combat Max bait stations around your place. FYI, there is only one critical drawback: the traps are pretty small and can become effective just in the case of small or medium-sized cockroaches. When you are dealing with larger species, you’d better opt for another roach killer that works.
Alternative Remedies
If you are looking for an alternative remedy, you should pay attention to boric acid. Today this is one of the most effective control agents. If used correctly, it ensures the best results. As most people do not follow the most straightforward instructions, they fail in the process of elimination and state that boric acid leads to nothing else, but a complete disappointment.
The spread powder sticks to the bodies of roaches and kills them as soon as they are trying to lick it off.
When combined with baits, boric acid is the most effective option.
As has been mentioned, the key to success is the correct application. You’d better apply the powder in a thin layer that is barely visible to the naked eye. Roaches avoid heavy accumulations as they don’t want to walk through a snowdrift. Shake the container with powder and puff a small quantity of it into the target area.
Another possible alternative is petroleum jelly/vaseline. It is a live trap that cannot be escaped. All you have to do is rub jelly on the inside wall of a non-transparent glass. Place rotting food on it. The pests will climb for food and water, but they won’t get out because of the jelly. Though it works, the process is rather messy. It is why before using this method, you’d better weigh all pros and cons.
Starting Roach Extermination
Before you come to the extermination procedure, you’d better think of proper roach extermination preparation.
When you know what type of roaches you have in your flat, you know where to focus the inspecting efforts. The very first task is to find the source with the help of sticky traps.
There you will find dead or living roaches, their skins, droppings, and egg cases.
Fighting against roaches includes:
- Limitation of food sources. Pet and human food must be kept sealed in airtight containers. Never leave dirty dishes on counters or in sinks overnight. Make sure you sweep all crumbs off the counters and floors regularly, as well as take out all the trash at the end of the day.
- Killing living creatures and their debris. In case you find living creatures there, you’d better use a vacuum cleaner to suck them all as well as their debris up. It is possible to find all their hiding places if you enter a dark room at night and watch where they are running after you turn on the lights.
- Limitation of water sources. Pay special attention to the areas of standing water, as they attract roaches as well. These may be puddles on kitchen or bathroom floors, water bowls for pets, etc. Empty them every evening. Some people even seal their faucets and drain pipes in old buildings that are prone to leaks. Even a slow drip underneath your washing machine or counter will soon create an environment that attracts roaches to settle in and build their families in there.
The roaches that sneak indoors will never make a permanent home there, unless there is plenty of food and water sources. They can even survive without nutrients for a large period. It is the reason why it is of top importance to keep your place clean and tidy so that it won’t attract cockroaches anymore.
What about roach extermination cost? Things go pretty cheap if you manage the issue on your own. However, when there is nothing you can do about the infestation, you hire a professional, whose work must be well-paid:
- Initial Services. An exterminator charges from $75 to $250 for initial service. The process may also include a follow-up service that comes with a 2-3 month’s warranty.
- Commercial Needs. Roach extermination prices for commercial buildings are much higher. At times the cost reaches $500-$1,000 per one visit.
- Quarterly and Monthly Services. Most companies provide additional roach control services in case of pests’ reappearance. Some of them steer homeowners towards quarterly or monthly service contracts, $75-$125, and $30-$60 respectively.
Are There Roach Poisons Safe for Pets and Humans?
To begin with, the majority of poisons available on the market aren’t strong to kill your pet, however, it should also be marked that some of them have ingredients that lead to minor/serious complications:
- Hydramethylnon. It is an active ingredient in many types of roach poison. This substance is harmless in small doses, but when pets are eating it causes gagging and vomiting.
- Chlorpyrifos. This very ingredient leads to stomach pain, vomiting, excessive drooling, uncontrollable urination and defecation.
Opt for slow-acting baits that have Sulfluramid, Hydramethylnon, Boric Acid, or Fipronil.
2. Combat Max Source Kill
Among the options of roach killers safe for pets, we suggest Combat Max. It is safe and isn’t placed in areas where your pet can get it.
Perhaps one of the greatest improvements to control these pests is the use of bait products sold in drugstores and hardware shops, home centers and discount stores, supermarkets, and the Internet.
Combat Max insecticide bait gel is sold in a syringe. It’s safe for the environment and triggers no adverse reactions in people or pets.
Finding the Best Roach Killer Gel
It seems as if we’ve already discussed possible safe and effective solutions, still there are a few other options worth mentioning. One of them is cockroach killer gel. Most people choose Advion Gel Bait by Syngenta.
3. Advion Cockroach – Best Roach Killer Bait Gel for Indoor and Outdoor Locations (People’s Choice)
It is a powerful substance, and when it is used correctly, its results last up to several months.
The gel-like this one should be applied to crevices and cracks. It doesn’t kill on contact. Besides, you don’t have to kill roaches either. To get the best results from the gel, allow the pests to share it with their colony.
Waiting till this cockroach killer paste starts working may be very irritating. Also, the paste may leave signs on the places where applied. However, this is the most effective variant.
4. Bayer Maxforce FC Magnum
Maxforce gel is bait, not repellent. But it will give you much better results. Cockroaches are easily repelled it’s know as avoidance, what you really want is for them to be killed.
5. Gentrol IGR
The one thing not mentioned was an IGR. It stands for Insect Growth Regulator. You cannot control a serious German roach problem without it.
Gentrol is your best choice. It comes in a few forms, but plastic discs are best. Use these IGR roach control devices underneath drawers and in the hinges of cabinets.
This only works if you consistently repeat it and remove all other food sources including grease around stoves and ovens. Also, make sure no water leaks exist.
Conclusion
What else should you know? Well, it is important to mention that none of the methods mentioned above can be referred to as entirely foolproof. You must be very careful when dealing with special baits, sprays, pastes, gels, and other toxins to exterminate cockroaches.
If there is a pet or small child in your house, choose the safe method or put the pesticides in those places that aren’t accessible to little paws and hands. Keep in mind that a single-time treatment is effective for 2-3 months only. For better results, it should be repeated several times. This is when complete extermination is guaranteed. However, when all your efforts are useless, call in professional help to avoid endangering those who are occupying the space.
Questions & Answers
Combat roach bait has been shown to be one of the most effective ways to kill cockroaches. This type of poison is much less invasive than many other methods and can actually be used around food without worry. You simply place it on the ground where you know the populations are heavy, leave it for a few hours, and then come back to see if your fighting strategy has worked!
Combat Roach Bait was designed specifically for noxious roaches when applied according to directions will break down the insect's digestive system causing death by dehydration and starvation.
This product is made with quality that doesn't merely drive these insects from kitchens or bathrooms - but drives them into an early grave!
Combat bait stations are designed for long-lasting effectiveness, to protect a home or business against roaches that wander in from the outside for up to 12 months.
It is recommended to use the Combat Bait Station as often as once a month to maintain optimal effectiveness. Reapply your bait every 3-4 weeks if you see roaches, or more frequently if the roaches in question are especially stubborn species, such as German cockroaches.
There are many roach killers that are safe for pets. They include boric acid, lime powder, cinnamon or cayenne pepper.
The roach killer that is best for your pets is boric acid. Boric acid leaves no residue around the house and will eliminate any future infestation, but this method does not work if you have an old colony established in a wall or under cabinets where they are hard to reach.
One option is to vacuum up the bugs and their eggs. It's important to be thorough in the initial vacuumings because eggs can hatch into larvae quickly. For people who prefer not to use pesticides or chemicals for their home pest control routines, a couple of other options might be worth trying out as well with either cinnamon and water solution or ground black pepper and water solution both work well at killing roaches.
You should not use poison to kill rodents because it will cause some serious health concerns for you and your family.
The poison is dangerous to some people because roaches carry a lot of nasty bacteria, so ingesting the poison can lead to life-threatening food poisoning.
It's not only the roach that's affected by toxic bait; any man, woman, or child who eats anything containing roach toxin will be poisoned and may die. For this reason alone it should be avoided at all costs.
When using roach poison, take care to avoid coming into contact with your eyes and mouth. Most insecticides that are safe for most people may not be safe if you have a chronic exposure - i.e., use them every day or at high doses over a long period of time.
Contents
- 1 Dirty and Disgusting
- 2 How to Get Rid of German Cockroaches: An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure
- 3 Make Your House Unsuitable for them!
- 4 Effective Ways to Kill German Cockroaches
- 5 What is the Best Roach Killer in 2024? – Your Expert Buyer’s Guide
- 6 Questions & Answers
