Roach bait is a pest control product which is designed to eliminate cockroach populations. A number of roach bait products are on the market, including natural versions without synthetic chemicals, and industrial versions used by pest control companies. Controlling cockroaches can be challenging, as they are very persistent, but the right roach bait applied in the right way can take care of the problem. For serious infestations, it may be necessary to call in a pest control professional who has access to more powerful insect control tools.
As with other insect invaders, the goal with roach bait is not to kill cockroaches right away, but rather to give them something which will kill them several days later, allowing the cockroach to bring the poison back to the nest. Cockroaches will feed on each other, ingesting the bait which kills dead roaches, and they also eat feces spread by other cockroaches, another method of spreading roach bait into a cockroach population.
Baits include attractants which make them appealing to cockroaches, along with small amounts of pesticides. They come in the form of powders, gels, and liquids, and in packaged feeding stations. Ideally, bait should be laid out in several locations where roaches have been spotted, and it needs to be laid in dark corners like under the fridge, behind cabinets, and so forth, as these are the areas where cockroaches like to feed. Bait may periodically need to be refreshed or changed until the cockroaches are gone.
Pest control experts recommend using roach bait alone, without a pesticide. There are several reasons for this. The first is that a pesticide will repel cockroaches, ensuring that they don't consume the bait, and it may kill them instantly, reducing the spread of the agent to the cockroach population. Additionally, pesticides can be dangerous to children and pets when they are sprayed or spread, while bait traps are enclosed, which makes them much safer.
Safety is a common concern with roach bait. People with pets should ask their veterinarians if they recommend specific products. Several commercial products are safe to use around pets, as are some natural products, and a veterinarian may have experience with particular brands which seem to be more effective than others. Parents with young children should consider using enclosed bait traps and securing them so that children cannot reach them, and they may want to use natural products with ingredients which are not harmful when handled, like eucalyptus oil.