Will Bed Bug Spray Kill Roaches? (Find Out Now!)

Alex Praytor
by Alex Praytor

Roaches can be pesky little creatures that invite themselves over and then never leave. They will come out at night to steal your food and don’t give back anything in return except extra germs. Most homes have a cabinet that is full of cleaning supplies and various insecticides. So, if we have a bed bug spray on hand, will this spray also kill roaches?

Many bed bug sprays can kill roaches, but not all. It will depend on the active ingredients in your particular spray. Many bed bug sprays contain pyrethroids, pyrethrins, or desiccants. These substances should kill bed bugs as well as roaches. So, if you are having trouble with a double infestation, a bed bug spray may kill two birds with one stone.

Here are some effective ways to keep roaches out of your home.

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Treat for Bed Bugs and Kill Roaches

Especially in a communal style of living such as a townhouse, apartment, or condo, you may share more than just walls with your neighbor. If one neighbor has a pest problem, it is very likely that others will as well. If an exterminator treats your apartment, the pests may just flee to other parts of the building. This is why many apartment blocks will periodically treat the entire building for pests.

If you end up with a roach and bed bug infestation, this can be a real headache. Roaches can carry bacteria and bed bugs can leave you with bites. Luckily many sprays and treatments for bed bugs will also kill roaches. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), recommends using these treatments according to directions to protect yourself and your pets.

Here are some treatments that will work well on both bed bugs and roaches:

Pyrethroids

Bed bug treatments that contain pyrethroids will kill roaches on contact quickly.

Pyrethrins

Pyrethrins are also commonly found in bed bug treatment. This substance is fast-acting and does not leave a residue, so it must be used at the source of the pest infestation. It can flush cockroaches out of hiding.

Desiccants

Insecticides that contain desiccants work by removing the hard exoskeleton on roaches and bed bugs causing pests to dehydrate. Examples of desiccants are silica gel, diatomaceous earth, and borax.

Heat Treatment

Heat treatment is considered one of the most effective treatments for killing off an infestation of bed bugs and roaches. This treatment uses heat usually over 130 degrees to kill roaches and bed bugs as well as their eggs. While this treatment provides an immediate solution, many exterminators will combine heat treatment with an insecticide to prevent new infestations.

The EPA has registered at least 300 different types of bed bug sprays. Some effective bed bug and roach treatments can only be purchased and used by pest management professionals. If you have a bed bug or roach infestation, it may be a good idea to let an exterminator find the source of your problem and create an effective treatment plan.

Signs You May Have Roaches

One roach is capable of producing up to 300 roaches in one year. In 3 or 4 months those roaches will be ready to produce. In warm summer months, roaches tend to be more prolific than in winter. As roaches begin to reproduce, you will start seeing signs of their presence. Some signs you may have a roach infestation are:

  • Roach droppings and fecal smears
  • Roach eggs
  • A distinct smell that is musty and sometimes sweet
  • Missing pet food

Roaches lay their eggs in areas that are well-hidden and protected and can multiply quickly. So, if you start to see signs of a roach presence in your home, you will want to act swiftly to keep them from taking over.

How to Prevent Cockroach Infestation

Unlike bed bugs, which are interested in humans and their blood, roaches are attracted to food and decay. Roaches are generally are more prone to carry bacteria and diseases as well. To effectively get rid of roaches, you will want to make food and shelter more difficult for them to find. Here are some tips to prevent roaches from taking over your home:

Seal up food and pet food

Roaches hunt for easy access to food and have an amazing sense of smell. This means that any food, crumbs, or trash can quickly attract a hungry roach. Seal up food in airtight containers and make sure that no crumbs are left behind on counters or floors overnight. Pet food will attract roaches as well. So, you may want to use pet food bowls with lids and cover the bowls when a pet’s mealtime is over.

Take out the trash

If you start seeing signs of roaches, you will want to use a trash can that has a lid. A trash can may look like a nighttime feast for a roach!

Clean regularly

Roaches don’t like cleanliness and they thrive in dirty areas. By regularly sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and sanitizing surfaces, you can let roaches know they are not welcome in your home. Also, cleaning products that have a vinegar or citrus smell are turn-offs for roaches.

Remove Clutter

Roaches often live and hide their eggs in boxes, old papers, and other clutter. By reducing or removing clutter, you can eliminate areas for cockroaches to hide.

Repair cracks and leaks

Cockroaches love to hide in cracks and crevices and are attracted to damp and dark areas. To keep them out, you can seal off baseboards and cracks. Also, you will want to check to make sure you have no standing water or leaking pipes in or around your house.

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Related Questions

Will cockroaches eat bed bugs?

Yes, cockroaches live off of decomposing matter and will also eat bed bugs and their eggs. However, many times cockroaches and bed bugs will live in separate spaces in your home.  Since roaches and bed bugs may rarely meet, you shouldn’t rely on cockroaches to kill off an infestation of bed bugs. You can find an exterminator who should be able to do away with both cockroaches and bed bugs using insecticides or heat treatment.


Can cockroaches fly?

Some species of cockroaches do have wings, and of these species, not all can use their wings to fly. There are some cockroaches that can fly short distances and others that can fly very well! American cockroaches are one of the most common types of winged cockroaches.


Do cockroaches bite?

It is extremely rare for cockroaches to bite humans. They generally would only bite a human if the infestation is large and they are running out of other food sources. A cockroach bite can look similar to a mosquito bite or slightly larger.

Alex Praytor
Alex Praytor

Alex Praytor is a native Texan who got her degree in English Literature and decided to travel the globe. She finds the architecture and design of homes across cultures fascinating. In her spare time, she visits coffee shops with her family and creates projects for their own home. Alex enjoys sharing tips on how to keep repairs up to date while turning a house into a home.

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