When I searched online for the best roach killers safe for pets, all I got was a bunch of roach killers that are equally harmful to my cats. It forced me to do extensive research on pet-friendly roach killers and test different products.
After doing everything, I have found out the top 5 best pet-safe roach killers! Now, some of the folks out there are listing 10, 13, or more products. But you only need one product that is safe for your pets. Right?
Hence, check the article from first to end to find out the best roach killers that are safe for pets. But if you are in a rush, you can pick your favorite option from the list below:
| Pet Safe Roach Killers | My opinion | Where to Buy |
| Raid Essentials Ant & Roach Killer Aerosol Spray | Best roach spray safe for pets | Check price |
| Harris Diatomaceous Earth Crawling Insect Killer | Roach killer non-toxic to pets | Check price |
| Hot Shot Liquid Roach Bait, Roach Killer, 1 Pack, 6-Count | Best roach bait safe for pets | Check price |
| HOY HOY Trap A Roach – Bait Glue Traps, Great for Home with Kids & Pets Indoor | Pet friendly roach traps | Check price |
| Mighty Mint 16 oz Cockroach Repellent Natural Peppermint Oil Spray | Pet-friendly roach repellent | Check price |
Contents
What makes a roach killer safe for pets?
You must check insect-killing products well before purchasing, or else they can bring harm to your pets. There are various things you need to consider while buying a safe roach killer.
Some of the factors that make a roach killer safe for pets are:
- Non-toxic: First, the roach killer should be non-toxic. It means the product should not have any toxic chemicals. It makes the killers less effective but is safe for pets.
- Essential oil formula: All the roach or insect killer that is essential oil formulas are safe for pets. It is not compulsory to use essential oils for a product to be safe, but if it does, it surely is safe.
- Baits & Traps: Baits and traps are also safe for pets. That’s because most baits are placed inside a small trap and are untouchable for pets. Besides, tarps are for catching tiny roaches, not big cats. That is why they are usually safe.
These are only a few criteria I have followed to find the safest roach killers. If you want to find the product yourself, then you can consider these factors. But I have done the job for you to save you from trouble.
Besides, if you have spiders at home, you also can read my article on pet safe spider repellent.
Top 5 Best Roach Killer Safe for Pets
I have filtered out all the unnecessary products that are not really good for pets and I found that only the following 5 roach-killing products are safe for pets:
#1 Raid Essentials Ant & Roach Killer Aerosol Spray
If you are looking for the best roach spray safe for pets, then you can use Raid Essentials Ant & Roach Killer Aerosol Spray. It uses plant-based ingredients that are safe for pets and kids.
Raid is quite popular for selling effective pest control products. They have a wide range of product categories for various audiences. This one is especially for those who have kids and pets at their homes.
If you are frustrated with a cockroach infestation in your home, you can use the Raid Roach Killer Spray without any worries. It effectively kills roaches and does not harm pets.
How to use:
Raid Essentials Ant & Roach Killer Aerosol Spray kills roaches on contact. If you see a cockroach (including german roaches), point the nozzle toward it and spray for a few seconds.
It may take a couple of minutes before the cockroach is dead. The spray can kill other crawling pests too.
Safety precautions:
It is non-toxic, and you can use the spray in the kitchen. Besides, the spray is safe for use around kids and pets, but do not directly spray on them. If the spray gets into your eyes, wash them with water. Visit a doctor if the situation is severe. Also, do not spray close to the fire.
Pros:
- It uses pet-friendly essential oils such as lemongrass oil.
- The smell is quite pleasant.
- Doesn’t have any harmful effects on humans or pets.
- It keeps roaches away for a long time.
Cons:
- Leaves greasy residues.
- Small size is not enough; better to purchase 2 or three cans together.
#2 Harris Diatomaceous Earth Crawling Insect Killer
Diatomaceous Earth is undoubtedly one of the most popular safe roach killers non-toxic to pets. In fact, it is popular for safely killing various other pests such as ants, fleas, bed bugs, and more.
The powder is the remainder of fossilized diatoms. It is quite popular for removing unwanted chemicals from drinking water but also works as a natural insect killer.
You will find a lot of diatomaceous earth products in stores and online. But you must ensure that it is for killing insects or roaches. I’m recommending you Harris Diatomaceous Earth Crawling Insect Killer because Harris is one of the most reliable brands selling this product. The brand is one of the oldest EPA-certified brands in the USA.
How to use:
The Diatomaceous Earth powder must be dry to work. You can sprinkle the powder wherever you have seen roaches and the work is done. Whenever the roaches crawl on the powder, it will start working. It will dehydrate the roach and kill it. However, it may take around 1 to 3 hours for the Diatomaceous Earth to kill the roach.
Wherever you are spreading the powder, ensure the place remains dry. If you are cleaning the location before using the product, give it some time to dry and then spread.
Safety precautions:
Diatomaceous Earth is a natural substance and is completely safe to use around pets and kids. Its non-toxic nature makes it one of the safest roach killers. You do not need to worry about the safety of how you use the product, as it is entirely harmless.
However, I will recommend you use gloves while spreading the powder. That’s because holding the powder for a long may cause skin irritation.
Pros:
- Natural product and safe for animals and humans
- Effectively kills roaches and many other insects
- Easy to spread even in hard-to-reach places
- It is friendly to the environment
Cons:
- It does not work well in wet places such as bathrooms
- It works quite slow on larger roaches
#3 Hot Shot Liquid Roach Bait, Roach Killer, 1 Pack, 6-Count
If you prefer using baits, you can go for the Hot Shot Liquid Roach Bait. Every pack includes six bait stations, and it can kill small to large roaches and also the eggs they carry.
It’s the best roach bait safe for pets as pets can not reach the bait that is placed inside the bait station. But the roaches can easily get into there as the entrance is made to fit their size.
Most Hot Shot products are filled with toxic chemicals, but this bait here is absolutely safe to use around pets and kids.
How to use:
All the bait stations will come sealed. Pull the tab from the side of the station to unseal. Then place it anywhere you have seen roaches.
Unlike diatomaceous earth, you can place the bait station in wet areas too. In fact, the manufacturer recommends using five in the kitchen and one in the bathroom.
But if you have a heavy infestation in your home, use more stations. Check the stations once every week to ensure there are baits inside them. If you find an empty station, replace it.
Safety precautions:
Hot Shot designed the stations quite well to prevent pets from taking the bait out. Hence, it is completely safe to use. Even one of my friends keeps one station near her cat’s food bowl so that when the roach comes for food, it takes the bait.
But humans or animals should not try eating the bait. It can have adverse effects on their body. If your pet eats the bait, try to visit a vet ASAP.
Pros:
- Safely designed bait stations
- It can kill roach eggs
- It works in both wet and dry locations
- Easy to check when the bait is over
Cons:
- It is a little bit difficult to remove the tab on top
#4 HOY HOY Trap A Roach – Bait Glue Traps, Great for Home with Kids & Pets Indoor
HOY HOY Trap A Roach is a glue trap that is one of the best pet-friendly roach traps. It lures the roach into the trap, and then the roach gets stuck in the glue. Then you can dispose of the trap to get rid of the roach.
One of the key issues with the glue traps is luring the roach. Different roaches may have different tastes and may not like the bait you are using on your glue trap. But the good thing is that Hoy Hoy uses four types of bait to lure the roaches.
Besides, the glue is also quite strong. Whether it’s a small roach or a larger one, it will not be able to get out. Not to mention, it’s completely safe considering the fact that it doesn’t use any toxic chemicals.
How to use:
Every pack includes five traps with five baits and ten sticky floor mats. First, remove the sticker from the floor mat to reveal the sticky surface. Then stick a bait on it and then insert it into the bait.
After that, place the bait where you have seen roaches in your home. Check often to see if any roach is trapped. If yes, then take out the floor mat, unstick the bait, and then dispose of the mat with the roach.
Then you can use the trap and the bait with another floor mat. As you can use a sticky mat only once, I will recommend you buy multiple packs if you have a high infestation at home.
Safety precautions:
The traps do not use any harmful chemical ingredients and are completely safe for pets and kids at home.
Pros:
- No harmful ingredients
- Lucrative bait to attract roaches
- Strong adhesive on the mat
Cons:
- Non-reusable sticky mats
- Paper traps are not good for use in wet areas
#5 Mighty Mint 16 oz Cockroach Repellent Natural Peppermint Oil Spray
If you do not want to place any roach bait or traps in your house, then you can use the Mighty Mint Cockroach Repellent Natural Peppermint Oil Spray. Spray wherever you find roaches, and the smell will repel them.
It is a natural pet-friendly roach repellent that uses peppermint oil. Essential oils are good insect repellents, and so is this one. However, keep in mind that it is a repellent. It does not use any toxic ingredients and will not kill roaches.
But still, it is environmentally friendly and safe for pets and kids. That’s why you can use it.
How to use:
Spray the peppermint spray around your house wherever you have seen roaches. The smell should repel the roaches.
However, the smell is not too strong, and you may need to spray once every few days to keep roaches away. But never use too much spray, or it will be unpleasant to breathe.
Safety precautions:
It does not have toxic chemicals and is completely safe. But do not directly spray on kids or pets, or it can have adverse effects. In such cases, wash with clean water and visit a doctor ASAP.
Also, do not use too much spray. The smell is pleasant, but too much can cause suffocation.
Pros:
- Natural essential oil
- Does not kill any animal
- Environmentally friendly
- A pleasant smell
Cons:
- Not too strong
My Top Pick
All the five traps work perfectly fine to get rid of roaches and are safe for pets and kids. However, personally, I prefer to use the combination of Harris Diatomaceous Earth and Hot Shot Liquid Roach Bait. The first one is for dry areas, and the second one is for covering wet areas.
However, if there is extreme roach infestation in your home, then you can go for the Raid Essentials Ant & Roach Killer Aerosol Spray. Directly spray on the roaches, and boom!
Can I use a pet-safe roach killer in my kitchen without worrying about food contamination?
NO! Although these pet safe roach killers are non-toxic, they include a minimal level of toxicity that can upset your stomach if you ingest them.
You can place them anywhere in the kitchen. They do not release toxicity in the air. But ensure that the spray liquid or the bait’s gel does not get mixed into the food.
It shouldn’t cause any serious problems but can result in a bad stomach for a day. If you mistakenly ingest the roach killers and feel sick, consult a doctor ASAP.
Can I use a pet-safe roach killer in outdoor areas, such as my garden or patio?
Yes! You also can use the pet safe roach killers outdoors where your pets may play.
However, some roach killers are specifically made for indoor usage, and others are for outdoor usage. A few of the products are also suitable for both indoor and outdoor conditions.
You should read the label before buying any roach killer to know whether it is for indoor or outdoor use.
FAQs:
- Is boric acid roach killer safe for pets?
No! Boric acid roach killer is a popular DIY method but is not safe for your pets. They are usually accessible to pets when you use them, and if pets ingest the boric, it can cause severe problems.
- What is the fastest way to get rid of roaches with pets?
Using diatomaceous earth and essential oils is considered the fastest way to get rid of roaches with pets. Both of these products are harmless to pets but are efficient in repelling roaches.
- What smell will keep cockroaches away?
Essential oil smells such as cedarwood, cypress, and peppermint oils keep cockroaches away. Besides, roaches also hate cinnamon oil, but the smell is not strongly repellent. Nonetheless, these smells can also repel various other insects, such as spiders and more.
- Will a clean house keep roaches away?
A clean house is one of the prerequisites for keeping roaches away. But it does not guarantee a roach-free house. Several other issues, such as leftover foods or cracks on the wall, can attract roaches.
- Can roaches survive in a vacuum cleaner?
No! Roaches usually do not survive in a vacuum cleaner. That is why it is a popular DIY method to get rid of roaches.
Conclusion
Lastly, these are the best roach killers safe for pets and children. You can pick any one of them and get rid of those pesky pests within a few days.