If the thought of a cockroach problem gives you a serious case of the ick, you’re not alone. But rest assured, there is a way to evict these creepy crawlies and reclaim your home. The secret? Get the right roach-killing product and know how to use it.
It may also be helpful to know that you’re not alone in dealing with roaches. In fact, a 2021 report from the U.S. Census Bureau found that 14 million households had reported seeing roaches within the previous year.
To help save your sanity during an infestation, we turned to pest control experts for their top tips on dealing with roaches so that you can get back to enjoying a clean home that is free of vermin.
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How we picked the best roach traps and killers of 2025
According to experts, to get rid of these insects on your own, you’ll need the help of roach bait. Below, what they recommend keeping in mind when shopping:
- Type: There are a number of roach killers and baits on the market. For example, there are sprays that quickly kill a roach. The only problem with that? It takes care of one roach, but not the many others that are sure to inhabit your space. “Gel baits are more effective than sprays, powders and foggers because the roaches actually eat it, go back to the nest and die there,” says Nicole Carpenter, a pest control professional and the president at Black Pest Prevention in Charlotte, North Carolina. “Roaches eat dead roaches and their droppings, so other roaches will then ingest the poison, and it will keep spreading.”
- Ease of use: There are a number of gel products out there. Two of the most popular are gels that you squeeze out in areas where roaches frequent or items referred to as roach motels, which tend to be plastic devices that contain gel. The roaches can go into these devices to get the gel and then carry it home. We focused on the latter, as they are easier and cleaner to use.
- Price: Chances are, you’ll need to replace bait traps multiple times before you get rid of all your roaches, says Carpenter. With this in mind, we looked for affordable traps so that they won’t break the bank when you have to buy multiple.
The best roach traps and killers of 2025
Using the criteria above, we rounded up roach traps that have at least a 4-star average or higher from at least a thousand reviews.
Place these small plastic disks anywhere you’ve spotted a roach. They’re filled with a poisonous gel that is mixed with roach food to attract them. The disks have little slits in the sides to allow roaches to access the bait. There are 18 traps in this box, and the traps last for up to 12 months once you place them out.
Similar to the option from Combat, these bait stations are filled with a mix of roach food and bait. They are unscented and last for up to three months once you place them out. These traps have adhesive on the bottom to help them stick to wherever you put them, and they can be used indoors and outside, according to the brand.
These bait stations are filled with a mix of food and slow-acting poison, which actually makes them more effective. Our experts told us that roaches eat the poison, poop it out and other roaches eat that poisoned poop — yup, really. The tops of these stations are clear, making it super easy to tell if the gel bait has run out. They also have adhesive strips on the bottom so you can mount them wherever you need.
If you’ve seen larger roaches, you’ll want to get bait traps made for bigger bugs. These are larger than normal traps and have wider openings to allow big roaches to get to the gel. Also nice: They are child-resistant, so curious kids can’t access the poison.
Though our experts recommend gel baits, some people may prefer just buying the gel — especially if you need to put it in a small space that won’t fit a trap. This gel from Bayer comes in a syringe-like tube, allowing you to be very precise about where you put it. The gel will last for up to a year once you apply it, and it is not toxic to pets, according to the brand.
What causes a roach problem?
Though many people associate cockroach infestations with having a dirty house, that’s not necessarily the case. “Roaches usually start outdoors in mulch, leaf piles, drains, sewers, garbage bins, or woodpiles,” says Carpenter. “If you have anything like this close to the house or even right against the wall, you’re increasing the chances that they’ll get in.”
In addition to outside conditions, there are certain things inside that may draw roaches in. “Warmth, moisture, and food crumbs, especially in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms can all attract roaches,” says Juan Rezk, chief marketing officer at Certus Pest In Tampa, Florida. “I’ve seen infestations begin with a single slow sink leak or when people neglect to wash their dishes overnight.”
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Nicole Carpenter is a pest control professional and the president at Black Pest Prevention in Charlotte, North Carolina
- Juan Rezk is the chief marketing officer at Certus Pest in Tampa, Florida.
Why trust NBC Select?
Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers topics like beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed two pest control experts.
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