Cockroach control products: from gels and liquids to traps and repellents

Do you have cockroaches in your home? Have you tried all the folk remedies, but nothing works? Don't despair! Today, the market offers a wide range of insect control products: gels and creams, aerosols and sprays, powders and tablets, traps and fumigators. When choosing, we consider the following: how effective the proposed methods are, how long the product lasts, how easy it is to use at home, whether it is safe for children and animals, and the cost. Each product has its advantages and disadvantages.

Gels and glues for cockroach control

Gels are convenient and safe to use. These include products from domestic and foreign manufacturers. The dosing syringes distribute the solution evenly across cockroach habitats: under the sink and refrigerator, on ventilation pipes, baseboards, table and chair legs, and on the back of gas stove lids. The solution is applied in dotted lines along the insects' paths. It can be called a "time bomb": cockroaches, when their feet get caught in the sticky substance, die, but not before they spread the poison to their fellow cockroaches, expanding the product's range of action.

Among German products, Globol (Global) gel is particularly popular. It is made with chlorpyrifos, a broad-spectrum, long-acting substance. Testing has shown that German manufacturers have achieved a concentration that is safe for humans and animals. The product is non-toxic and odorless, but it is expensive.

Among domestic products, Legion gel is a popular choice. Created using the latest technology, it kills both adult and juvenile insects. The manufacturers base their formulation on two chemicals: the pyrethroid deltamethrin, which paralyzes cockroaches, and diflubenzuron, which causes genetic changes in the offspring. This allows for a long-lasting effect (up to three months). Legion gel is fast-acting: the first insect corpses appear within an hour. It is affordable, considered safe for children and animals, and has no unpleasant odor.

The Taiga brand's advantage is its low cost and ability to kill cockroaches and ants using chlorpyrifos, which acts through the digestive system. This same substance is also found in the gels "Great Warrior" and "Deadly Force." According to customer reviews, the former has an unpleasant odor, while the latter has a sweet vanilla aroma. The manufacturers added a bitter flavor to protect pets from poisoning. Both products are affordable. The instructions state that insects cannot adapt to the active ingredient; however, in reviews, buyers recommend using the products in combination. Bullit, Dohloks, and Domovoy gels have received positive reviews, with active effects lasting approximately two months. Raptor manufacturers promise cockroach-free operation for eight months.

A special glue is also used to control insects. It's squeezed from a tube onto cardboard and placed along the cockroaches' paths. This is inconvenient because it can be stepped on and dirty, so glue traps are more commonly used. These are boxes with multiple entrances through which cockroaches are drawn in by the scent of the bait. Trapped in the sticky substance, they are unable to move and die. Popular glue traps include Taiga, Forsyth, and Raptor.

Photo gallery: the most popular gels

Fast-acting insecticides

Liquids, aerosols, and powders quickly kill pests, but require special care when using them. Emulsions are more toxic than gels, but more effective. The product is diluted with water and sprayed over a large area. The drug fights insects even in hard-to-reach places. Before the procedure, turn off the power and spray the solution on electrical outlets and appliances—areas where cockroaches hide. Seal the ventilation openings, eliminating any potential hiding places for the insects. Afterward, treat sheets, blankets, pillows, carpets, upholstered furniture, and cabinets. Goggles, a respirator, and rubber gloves are required for the procedure. During the disinfection process, vacate the home for eight hours, then ventilate the area and wet-clean the rooms. Let's look at the most commonly used products.

The German brand Palach is a yellowish liquid with a distinctive odor. It contains the poison fenthion, which is inhaled by the insect, paralyzing its nervous system and killing the cockroach. The product kills not only adult cockroaches but also their offspring (larvae and eggs). Safe for humans, it is used for pest control in children's and hospital facilities. Palach leaves no traces and dissipates quickly. A significant drawback is its high cost. It is sold in 5-10 ml bottles. For example, to treat a 40 square meter apartment, 12 bottles are needed for the initial and follow-up treatments.

The Russian product Tsifox uses cypermethrin to combat cockroaches, bedbugs, ants, and other insects. The active ingredient takes effect within half an hour, and the results last up to three months. Among the disadvantages of the drug are its pungent odor and the need to prepare the product with precise dosage. Insects stop responding to the substance during the second treatment; by this time, they have adapted. Taran has similar properties.

Domestic Cucaracha liquid is affordable. It's a bluish chemical mixture with an unpleasant odor. While effective, it can cause allergic reactions and is carcinogenic.

Aerosols and sprays quickly eliminate insects. Cockroaches die within minutes upon contact with the active ingredient particles. Domestic manufacturers offer Clean House aerosol and Baron spray. These products are ready to use and easy to use—the standard canister is equipped with special nozzles that help spray the substance into hard-to-reach areas. Aerosols are toxic to humans, so protective equipment is required. Inhaling large amounts of vapor can lead to poisoning.

Powder (dust) is a time-tested product. It's economical and affordable, but requires caution in use. Accidental inhalation or ingestion can lead to poisoning. Fine particles remain in the air for a long time and are difficult to clean. Clean House powder, formulated with cypermethrin and malathion, has a grayish tint and is enhanced with piperonyl butoxide. It paralyzes the nervous system of pests. Cockroaches don't need to consume the product; simply running over a surface sprinkled with the powder will contaminate their legs and abdomen, penetrating their chitinous shell. While the insect cleans itself, the product is ingested through the digestive tract and kills the pest.

Clean House powder is effective in fighting cockroaches.

The Fas line of products offers not only powder but also tablets and gel against cockroaches, ants, and bedbugs. A combination of cypermethrin and thiamethoxam paralyzes the insects. The tablets and powder are dissolved in water, and the resulting mixture is sprayed onto the premises using a spray bottle. The substance does not kill the larvae, so a repeat treatment is required after 2-3 weeks. Those spraying Fas must wear protective clothing, a respirator, gloves, and goggles, as the product is toxic.

To protect pets and children from exposure to gels and powders, traps are used. Their unique feature is that the poison is contained inside a plastic or paper box with holes through which insects are drawn in by the scent of a fatty bait. The cockroaches then distribute the substance throughout their habitats. The traps are convenient because they can be attached to vertical surfaces. Popular brands include Dohloks and Taiga.

User reviews of sprays, powders, and aerosols

The store clerks recommended FAS, even though another product had helped me a couple of times before. But since Regent has gotten bad reviews lately, I decided to try the recommended FAS. And guess what? No effect. Absolutely. I even think there are more of them. It's a nightmare. I don't know how to deal with them. So, don't waste your money; buy something else. And I'll probably try my old, tried-and-true Regent again.

Baron spray has been a real lifesaver for our family. It's hard to say where the cockroaches came from, but one day we spotted first one, then another. Their numbers kept growing. I didn't think twice before getting to work on them. We have a small child, so I couldn't wait. I bought the product, sprayed it, and we went to spend the night at Mom's. The next day, there seemed to be fewer of them; they were paralyzed. I sprayed extra in hard-to-reach places, and within a week, they were gone. Completely. The product works, but not instantly. It worked for us; compared to other products, it's less toxic and more gentle on people.

I stumbled across Medilis Supersila cockroach repellent at the store completely by accident. It's a spray. It's conveniently packaged and, as it turns out, economical to use. I sprayed the entire apartment with it and then went out for a 15-minute walk. When I returned, I washed down all the countertops. The next day, I was finding dead cockroaches all over the apartment. It worked! A week later, I repeated the same procedure (as recommended in the instructions). The cockroaches retreated—it's hard to believe. The product has a smell, but it quickly dissipates. It doesn't affect people—we tested it ourselves. The smell is tolerable. Overall, Medilis Supersila worked 100%.

Latest technologies in pest control

Insect control products are constantly being improved. Fumigators, heating devices for toxic substances, are becoming popular today. There are smoke, electric, and water-based pesticides. These products work by releasing active ingredients into the air when heated, killing pests.

Smoke fumigators can be coil-shaped; when burned, they emit toxic fumes and repel insects. This method was invented in Japan. The smoke bomb is placed on the floor in the middle of the room (kitchen), placed in a deep metal container to prevent it from falling out, and then lit. Smoke begins to emit, filling the room, penetrating into small cracks. At this point, the room should be vacated. After a few hours, the room should be thoroughly ventilated and damp-cleaned. The procedure is repeated after two weeks. The Raptor smoke bomb destroys insect populations. Popular brands include "Tikhiy Vecher," "Tsifum," and "City." The product is effective, but an unpleasant odor lingers for up to a week. The product can be dangerous for people with allergies and asthma.

Aquafumigators require the same precautions as smoke bombs. They are based on the substance cyphenothrin, which is safe for humans but toxic in large doses. To activate the process, add water to the container containing the aquafumigator. This reaction produces vapor containing toxic substances. The room is enveloped in a foul-smelling mist that penetrates every crevice and destroys pests. After two to three hours, ventilate the room and perform a damp cleaning. Repeat the procedure after three to four weeks. Disadvantages of the product include a strong, lingering odor, as well as its high price compared to powders, gels, and aerosols.

The Raptor aquafumigator is easy and safe to use.

Typhoon brand products work without chemicals. The device generates high-frequency sounds that you can't hear, unlike insects that are stressed by the noise. Repellers that control pests with electromagnetic waves damage the nervous system of cockroaches. If you use the devices continuously, rather than intermittently, the insects will leave the premises.

The Pest Reject repeller is safe for humans and animals. It operates using a combination of electromagnetic waves and ultrasound. Powered by either mains or batteries, the pulse penetrates walls. The effective area is up to 200 square meters.

Video: How to use cockroach repellents

Pest control is a serious and responsible matter. Discovering the wide range of products available, you realize you can rid your premises of cockroaches yourself. It's important to choose the right tool, carefully read the instructions, follow all instructions, and remember to take safety precautions. Gels and traps are the safest options for humans and pets. If the cockroach infestation is alarming, liquids can help, but they should be used with caution. Aerosols are effective but cannot cover large areas. Smoke bombs and aquafumigators are effective. If you don't mind the strong residual odor, choose these products. Repellers, electric traps, and ultrasonic traps are safe and convenient as additional pest control tools. Plan your actions and the order in which you'll use the products. Make the right choice!