When you find out you have roaches, you want them gone – like yesterday. While you’ll find plenty of repellents and other remedies to prevent roaches, traps are the best way to send these critters packing their bags. In this guide, we’ll recommend you the top 10 best roach traps. Including 4 commercial roach traps and 6 DIY ways.
We’re going to show you how to make a homemade roach trap, so you can start getting rid of your bug problem today. And if you’re not a big fan of taking the DIY approach, we’ll also share some commercial traps that work well to stop your roach infestation dead in its tracks.
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What Are Cockroach Traps?
Roaches: one of the homeowner’s greatest fears. Well, maybe roaches may not be your greatest fear, but many people would do anything to get rid of them. If you’ve seen a roach in your home, you may want to use a cockroach trap to increase your fighting chances.
Traps work to help you monitor the places where you think roaches might be coming from before you release your stronger, roach-killing weapons. These traps work to catch roaches even when you’re not around since these bugs often like to come out when it’s dark.
This is what makes them so difficult to eliminate. By using a cockroach trap, you can keep an eye on your problem and even have a visual representation of your infestation. You can capture cockroaches as well to see where they’re coming from and what kind of cockroaches you have.
Some will use a mechanical action, while others have a sticky surface, although it’s even possible to make your own traps. Keep in mind that they will not eliminate your cockroach problem though.
9 Best Roach Traps on the Market
Sometimes, DIY methods just don’t do the trick. If you’re dealing with a bigger infestation, you may need to turn to commercial traps to get the job done. These products also work a little faster than homemade traps, so you can get rid of these pests sooner rather than later.
When you want to get rid of roaches fast, you don’t have time to waste on subpar products. We’re going to share four of the most effective commercial roach traps you can buy.
1. Combat Roach Trap
Combat offers two different types of roach trap:
- One for large roaches
- One for small roaches
The trap is still the same – it’s the size of the trap that’s the main difference between the two.
The main ingredient in Combat’s trap Is Fipronil, which kills roaches either by ingestion or by contact. The roaches are attracted to the trap, and take it back home with them to poison the rest of the nest.
Combat is the only brand that can control roaches for up to three months, and all of their traps are child-resistant.
Both options come with multiple traps, so you can keep the roach population under control.
2. Combat Roach Gel
Prefer not to have roach motels lying around your house? We don’t blame you – and Combat understands. Their roach killing gel is a great alternative to the conventional trap, and it kills the nest, so you can tackle the problem at the root source.
Each package contains 2 ounces of gel and a syringe for easy application where roaches frequent the most.
The great thing about this gel is that you can apply it precisely where roaches hang out. And if you have kids or pets, you can make sure that the gel is applied to places they don’t go, like under the cabinet, behind the stove, or in cracks or crevices in the wall.
The gel works on both small and large roaches, and it starts working in hours – not days.
3. Raid Roach Gel
Raid is arguably the most famous bug spray brand on the market, but for roaches, they also make a gel that’s similar to what Combat offers.
This gel kills all household roaches, and it destroys the nest, too. Unlike homemade traps, this product starts working in hours – not days or weeks. And the gel doesn’t ooze or drip out of the applicator, which can sometimes happen with other similar products.
The trap is inactive until a roach eats it, and the applicator tube is so easy to use.
The active ingredient in Raid’s roach gel is Indoxacarb. Roaches are attracted to the bait, ingest it and take it back with them to the nest where they’ll poison the other roaches.
4. Hot Shot Liquid Roach Trap
Hot Shot’s Liquid uses a food and water formula that’s irresistible to roaches. These traps are your classic roach-motel-style trap, but they continue working to control the roach population for up to three months. You’ll receive several bait stations, so you can attack the infestation from all areas of your home.
Not only does this fogger kill roaches, but it also kills the eggs they carry and it kills the roaches where they breed.
Roach nests are destroyed, and the formula starts working within hours thanks to the active ingredient: Dinotefuran.
5. Greener Mindset 12 Pack Roach Trap
Greener Mindset comes with twelve traps and bait so that you can catch roaches quickly and easy. This is the best roach trap that’s eco-friendly and non-toxic, and it will also kill ants and spiders, too.
The trap offers a 100% money back guarantee.
The trap uses sticky, non-toxic glue that traps roaches and keeps them in place until they do. Each of the dozen of traps will last for a period of three months, so you won’t have to replace the traps often.
Place these traps in key areas where roaches roam:
- Kitchens
- Pantries
- Garage
- Below the sink
- Storage rooms
All you need to do is place bait in the middle of the trap and roaches will swarm to the trap. Keep in mind that this trap does not kill roach eggs, so babies will still hatch unless you use a fogger or other technique to kill the eggs.
6. Catchmaster 72MAX Pest Trap
The Catchmaster 72MAX comes in two massive packs of either 36 or 72 traps. The trap is a glue trap, and the entire trap is peanut butter scented to attract roaches. When poison traps will not work, glue traps will attract and trap any pests that come their way.
Any pest can be trapped in these glue traps.
Each trap measures 5” x 8”, and the trap can be put flat or made into a square. When placing in tough-to-reach places, you can fold it and leave just enough space for the roaches to get trapped and die on the trap.
Even when left out for months, these traps do not dry and will continue acting as an effective roach killer.
Place the traps in key areas and you’ll start catching all forms of pests day and night.
7. Hoy Hoy Trap
The Hoy Hoy Trap is a unique trap that has made it to the top sales in Japan. Promoted as a user-friendly trap, you’ll be able to catch all kinds of roaches with no insecticides used at all. Simply place the trap and the wavy glue surface will work to attract and catch the roaches.
What’s different about Hoy Hoy is that the trap can be adjusted to fit anywhere.
You can raise the trap’s height or you can make it as compact as you like to place the trap behind the refrigerator or even in a car. When you need to catch roaches in hard-to-reach places, you’ll find that nothing is able to compete with the Hoy Hoy trap.
Water-resistant, the traps can also be used outdoors during periods of light rain or in a damp basement where roaches prefer to hide.
You also have the option of placing the trap vertically and it will trap roaches. It’s 100% safe if touched and it’s not toxic to pets although the adhesive will attach the trap to an animal.
8. Harris Roach Glue Traps
Harris’ roach trap is discreet, and it’s 100% pesticide free. No chemicals are used in the product, so it’s safe for you to use around children and pets. You simply need to fold the trap, insert the tab properly and it will hold together on its own.
The trap comes in either a two-pack or ten-pack, and I recommend that you go with the latter because you can place traps in multiple places at once.
Specially formulated lures have been built into the trap so that the roaches are attracted to the adhesive on the trap. When you use this trap in combination with roach tablets, you’ll be able to kill stragglers that don’t die with the roach tablets.
When compared to other glue traps, these traps are more expensive, but they work exceptionally well thanks to their bait.
9. Black Flag Roach Motel
Black Flag offers what they call the roach motel, and this insect trap comes in a six-pack. The traps are able to catch a variety of insects, including roaches, spiders, waterbugs and even crickets,
The idea is simple: roaches enter the motel but never checkout.
Each motel comes with a special lure that attracts pests. These motels contain no poisons or insecticides, and they use a powerful glue like many of the other traps on our list. But what makes this trap different is that it’s fully concealed.
You don’t have to worry about guests coming to your home and finding roaches trying to wiggle free for their lives.
When it’s time to discard of the trap, simply fold it up and place in the trash. There’s no need to touch the roach or the adhesive. Fold and throw away.
Pet-friendly, these traps work well in the middle of winter or in the beating sun of summer. They’re the perfect choice for roach elimination.
How to Bait a Roach Trap
Roaches are omnivorous creatures, and they aren’t particularly picky about what they eat. By nature, these bugs are scavengers that will consume just about any organic food source they can get their grimy hands on.
Because roaches eat whatever is around them, baiting them is pretty easy. Everything from peanut butter to bread, sugar and even dry dog food can serve as food sources.
A lot of traps will come with their own roach bait or attractant. These traps will not require additional bait, so don’t attempt to add additional cockroach killer products unless the roaches refuse to go on the trap.
Tip: Roaches can survive a week without food, but they can only go a few days without water. Setting traps with dry food will cause them to dehydrate and die quicker.
Feel free to check out our list of best baits available.
Where to Buy Roach Traps
Not sure where to buy roach trap? Most home improvement stores sell them, but you may also find traps in big box stores and online. Online stores usually have the best prices, and the bait is shipped right to your front door in a discreet box – no one has to know about your roach problem.
How to Make a Homemade Cockroach Trap
If you’re on a tight budget or would rather avoid sprays and other commercial poisons, a DIY roach trap may be the right choice for you. There are numerous types of homemade traps, but some are better than others.
How Do Cockroach Traps Work?
Some traps actually kill the roaches, while others do exactly what the name says – trap them. Like any other trap, a lure is used to attract the roaches. Once lured in, roaches either get stuck and can’t move, or they die from poisons.
Do roach motels work? Yes, but they may not necessarily kill the nest, so they can take a while to completely rid your home of an infestation.
How to DIY a Cockroach Trap
As mentioned, you can’t get rid of your cockroach problem with cockroach traps. However, you can use them to see and track the problem.
You can go down to your local home improvement store or even online in order to buy some commercial cockroach traps, but it’s also possible to make your own. With the right trap, you can begin your fight against your cockroach invaders.
There are several types of DIY roach traps that you can use to catch these pesky insects:
There’s a good chance you have baking soda in your kitchen at home. This natural substance has a hundred and one uses, and now you can add roach killer to that list.
- Mix equal parts baking soda and sugar.
- Add just enough water to create a paste.
- Apply the paste to areas where roaches frequent, like counters, cabinets, under the sink, beneath the stove, etc.
The baking soda will stick to the roach’s feet, and he’ll bring it back with him to the nest. The powder will kill the roaches slowly, but it is highly effective and worth the patience. You may need to reapply the paste a few times a week until all of the roaches are dead.
How to Set a Roach Trap
Roach traps are an effective way to get rid of these bugs, but you can’t just set them out anywhere in your home and hope for the best. You have to be strategic about where you set your bait, so the roaches find it and go after it.
- If you see the roaches, pay attention to where they’re hanging out, or where they scurry away to when you scare them off.
- Look for signs of roaches – feces, casings, strange smells.
Place the traps in these locations, so the roaches can easily find them and take the bait.
Some traps are sufficient for catching roaches in any weather condition and others cannot get wet or will be less effective in moist areas. If you choose a trap, make sure that the trap can be used in your climate.
Glue traps, for example, may do poorly in the hot Texas heat, or if they’re placed in a damp basement, the glue may not be as effective.
4 Tips of Using Roach Trap
You might not have the time or energy to make your own cockroach trap, so what should you look for when you go out to buy a trap? The first thing you need to think about is what you want to achieve with your roach trap.
Conclusion
Whether you buy commercial roach traps or make your own, traps are an important part of dealing with your roach problem. Use your traps to catch roaches or kill them but be sure to pick a type of trap that will work best for you.
Check out traps you can make or buy in order to increase your fighting chances against these frightening little creatures in your home.