If you have roaches in the home, it’s important to find a treatment plan that is going to get rid of them and get rid of them effectively. But if you have roaches in the home along with pets or children, it’s even more important that you’re able to find a solution for this pest problem without putting your family and fur kids in harm’s way.
Roaches are no joke, and they’re not only annoying and disgusting pests but they can also be hazardous to your health. If you’re looking for a way to handle your roach problem using the best pet safe roach killer, you’ve come to the right place.
Join us today as we learn more about roaches and talk about pet safe ways to manage an infestation fast.
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What Are Roaches?
American Cockroaches are some of the most common roaches in the US.
There are several species of roaches throughout the United States and even across the world. These are common insect pests that are attracted to dark, damp spaces where they can breed, feed, and hide.
The most common types of cockroaches you’ll come across in the United States include the American Cockroach, the German cockroach, and the Oriental cockroach. All three roaches can carry serious illnesses and transmit diseases like salmonella and E.coli. They can also inhabit our homes and the spaces outside of our homes.
When you realize you have a roach infestation, it’s important to quickly and effectively take care of it. Not only do roaches carry nasty bacteria, they can also increase the risk of allergies and sensitivities in people with chronic illnesses like asthma.
That said, roaches are generally harmless to our pets. Unfortunately, there are lots of commercial products to treat a roach problem that cannot say the same.
The below video talks a bit more about roaches and the different species you may come across in the US.
Now, before we talk about the best pet safe roach killer recommended by experts, let’s take a look at what has attracted roaches to your home and property. Keep reading.
What Attracts Roaches To Your Home?
Roaches are attracted by moisture, food sources and shelter.
Like most pests, roaches seek out areas that are hospitable to them and provide them with food sources, shelter, and an ideal place to breed and lay eggs. For cockroaches, the ideal space inside a home is rich in moisture, decaying matter, food sources, and dark places to hide.
Roaches have a diverse diet. These insects are omnivores which means they can eat all types of foods like decaying organic matter, plant material, and meat.
A roache’s most favorite type of meal consists of starchy foods, sweets and meat. That said, they can make a meal out of most anything, including books, hair, and even other dead roaches.
But what has attracted a roach to your home in particular? Humidity, water leaks, lots of dark spaces to hide, clutter, and other pest problems and insects inside your home can all be a recipe for a roach infestation.
Do you have roaches lurking in your home that will require you to invest in the best pet safe roach killer? Let’s find out.
Signs Of A Roach Infestation
Roach egg sacks are a common sign of a roach infestation in your home.
Before you purchase the best pet safe roach killer to rid your home of a roach infestation, let’s first make sure you do indeed have roaches hanging around.
Unfortunately, roaches are nocturnal and prefer to hide in damp, dark spaces. They come out at night to feed and are often not seen until an infestation has gotten out of control.
Still, experts agree that there are several signs you can look for to help determine and identify the early signs of a roach infestation in your home. Some of the most common signs include the following:
Roach Droppings
One of the earliest signs of a roach infestation in your home that may clue you in that it’s time to buy the best pet safe roach killer is the sign of roach droppings.
Roach droppings are often mistaken for pepper flakes or specks of dirt, but they are usually found around areas where roaches frequent while feeding. You can look for roach droppings along your wall’s perimeter, in the back of cupboards or pantries, and behind or beneath appliances like sinks, dishwashers and refrigerators.
Roach Egg Sacks
Another sign that it may be time to find the best pet safe roach killer for your home is if you come across roach egg sacks. Also known as ootheca, roach egg sacks often look like insects themselves. They can contain between 16 and 50 eggs at a time and are often a rusty red or brownish color.
Roach egg sacks are generally around 9 millimeters to 12 millimeters long and are often left behind in areas near food sources. That said, some different species of roaches lay their egg sacks on rough surfaces, adhering them to the sides of cupboards or walls using their own saliva.
If you come across any roach egg sacks in your home, it’s definitely time to invest in the best pet safe roach killer.
A Foul, Musky Odor
Last but not least, one of the most common and perhaps most unpleasant signs of a roach infestation is a strong, musky odor throughout your home. This is often the sign of a large roach infestation, as roaches secret this smell in order to communicate with other roaches.
If you smell this odor and have also seen other signs of roaches like roach droppings and roach egg sacks, it’s high time you get to looking for some of the best pet safe roach killer products you can find.
Best Pet Safe Roach Killer Sprays and Poisons
Finding the best roach killer that is pet safe can take some time and research.
There are a few different kinds of the best pet safe roach killer products on the market, including spray deterrents, poisons and traps.
Most pet and kid safe roach killers and deterrents use natural ingredients like essential oils or chemicals derived from botanical sources. That said, just because the best pet safe roach killer products tote being safe for people and animals, it is still important to use these products only as directed and to read the directions carefully.
If you’re not sure which type of best pet safe roach killer would be right for your home and your pet, don’t worry. We have listed some of our favorite products below.
Wondercide Natural Indoor Pest Control Spray
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We have put Wondercide pest spray on our list first for best pet safe roach killer because it uses all natural ingredients like peppermint oil, cedar oil, rosemary oil, and and lemongrass oil to kill and repel pests like roaches, spiders, fleas, earwigs, waterbugs, palmetto bugs, moths, fruit flies, and even mosquitoes.
This product is so safe for pets and children that you can use it in areas where food is stored and prepared like in kitchens. In fact, it specifically states that it is safe for dogs and cats and can be used multiple times a week without concern for harming your family or fur kids.
Aunt Fannie’s Roach Remedy
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Next on our list of best pet safe roach killers is a product by Aunt Fannie’s. This is a roach remedy that uses essential oils like clove oil and is specifically designed to kill and repel roaches.
That said, it does contain some other ingredients and should be used only as directed around your home, children and pets. Still, it is a natural and effective way you can protect your home from roaches without putting your pets or kiddos in harm’s way.
MDXConcepts Organic Pest Control Spray
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Similar to the other products above that work as the best pet safe roach killer, MDXconcepts uses essential oils like peppermint oil to help kill and repel roaches. This is an organic form of pest control you can use inside your home around children and pets that not only works against roaches, but also flies, earwigs, ants, spiders, stink bugs, silverfish and even scorpions.
What we like most about this product is that it is completely non toxic and safe to use in areas where food is stored and prepared. It also works to repel pests long after it is sprayed.
Nature-Cide All Purpose Insecticide
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Another spray we like for the best pet safe roach killer is Nature-Cide. This product again uses non-toxic essential oils to kill and repel pests and is specifically designed to kill roaches, spiders, ants and mosquitoes.
It kills on contact and can help keep pests from returning without leaving behind a strong odor and without staining surfaces or materials.
Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth
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Diatomaceous Earth is one of the best pet safe roach killer products you can use in your home because it is completely harmless to people and pets and highly effective against killing pests like roaches, spiders, crickets, and more.
It is an organic pest control remedy made from fossilized algae that works when it penetrates the exoskeleton of pests like roaches to dehydrate and kill them.
That said, this roach killer works only on contact and is a dust that needs to be applied around your home. It is plant safe as well so you can also use it in your garden to repel and kill roaches, but it works best when dry and will need to be reapplied if it gets wet.
Mighty Mint Pest Spray
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Mighty Mint is a pest spray that uses natural oils and other organic ingredients to help kill and repel pests like roaches, ants, spiders, crickets and more. It is safe enough to use multiple times a day and kills pests on contact.
We also like that it is specifically designed to be used in homes with people and pets and can be sprayed in places where food is stored and prepared like kitchens.
Boric Acid Roach Killer Tablets
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We have included Boric Acid as one of the best pet safe roach killer tablets because it uses a natural compound derived from organic mineral sources like rocks, water and soil to kill pests like roaches. This is a baited tablet that expands in a roaches stomach upon ingestion, killing the pest immediately.
While these tablets are effective and specifically designed to be used in homes with people and pets, it should be used only as directed and with caution. For the most part, boric acid is safe and typically harmless unless ingested in large doses.
That said, curious pets could get themselves into trouble around roach bait so do plenty of research to ensure you are using these tablets safely and effectively around your home.
Eco Defense Home Pest Control Spray
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Last on our list of best pet safe roach killer spray is by Eco Defense. This spray is a powerful and biodegradable pest control spray that is safe for people, pets and the environment.
It works against roaches, earwigs, fleas, stink bugs, silverfish, ants and spiders. Best of all, the ingredients are organic and natural, infused with essential oils that will not harm pets and are safe to use all around your home.
Best Pet Safe Roach Killer Traps
Glue traps are safe for children and pets and an effective form of roach control.
Some of the best pet safe roach killer products come in the form of roach traps. Many of these traps are baited traps that lure roaches into a pet and child safe container where the roach will get stuck and die.
These traps use chemical free sticky glue or paste to capture the roaches as they walk past. While we do like traps and think they are some of the best pet safe roach killer products, traps won’t usually be enough to remedy a large roach infestation and should be used alongside other roach repellent methods like sprays and tablets.
Let’s take a look at some of the best pet safe roach killer traps as recommended by consumers below.
Trapper Max Roach Traps
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Glue traps are some of the best pet safe roach killer products because they don’t use any toxic chemicals or poisons and work simply by trapping and killing roaches when they get stuck in the glue.
The above trap by Trapper Max uses non-toxic glue and is designed to capture other pests like mice, spiders, and even bed bugs. Best of all, the folded design helps reduce the chances of curious pets sniffing the glue and getting their fur stuck in the traps.
Exterminators Choice Glue Traps
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This glue trap is another non-toxic sticky trap product that is one of the best pet safe roach killers because of its folded design. The non-toxic glue quickly traps and kills roaches, spiders, crickets, and other home invading pests without harming pets or children in the process.
The order includes 10 roach traps that are designed to be hidden away in places where roaches like to hide or feed like beneath appliances or in cabinets.
How To Make Your Own Pet Safe Roach Killer And Repellents At Home
Essential oils and other ingredients make it possible for you to make your own safe roach killer at home..
Along with using commercial products to help ward off roaches, you can also make some of your own best pet safe roach killers at home. These recipes include ingredients you probably already have in your pantry like peppermint oil, cinnamon, vinegar and dish soap.
That said, some of these do it yourself pest control home remedies won’t kill roaches but will help to repel them when used alongside the roach killer products listed above.
- Essential Oil Roach Repellent
Like many pests, roaches are repelled by a number of essential oils. Using essential oils to make the best pet safe roach killer or repellent is not only easy, but also inexpensive.
The best essential oils to repel roaches include:
- Peppermint Oil
- Tea Tree Oil
- Lavender Oil
- Eucalyptus Oil
The above essential oils can also help repel fleas, spiders, earwigs, ants, and more. To make the best pet safe roach killer and repellent on your own using essential oils above, take 10 ounces of water and drop 15 drops of oil (whichever oil you like above) into a spray bottle. Shake the bottle to mix the solution and spray it around your home wherever you have seen or suspect roach activity.
Another way to use essential oils to repel roaches and other pests is by soaking cotton balls in the essential oil of your choice and placing it around your home and in areas where roaches hide like in basements, crawl spaces, bathrooms, and attics. Experts suggest replacing old cotton balls every two to three days for them to work most effectively.
- Baking Soda And Sugar Roach Killer
One of the best pet safe roach killer home recipes requires just three simple ingredients:
- Baking Soda
- Sugar
- Water
All you need to do is put a bit of water in one flat dish and mix some baking soda and sugar in another flat dish in areas where you suspect roach activity.
Because roaches are suckers for anything sweet, they’ll gobble up the baking soda and sugar. Next, they will take a drink of the water in the second dish. When they do, the baking soda will expand in their stomachs and kill them.
- Instant Potatoes
You can also use instant potatoes as another form of the pet safe roach killer. Simply sprinkle instant potato flakes wherever you have noticed roach activity and leave water out for roaches to drink. Roaches love starchy foods and will be very attracted to the instant potatoes.
Like baking soda, the instant potatoes will expand in the roaches stomachs and kill them when they take a drink. This is a completely pet safe and kid safe way to control and reduce a roach infestation in your home.
- Boiled Catnip Palmetto Roach Repellent
Catnip may not kill roaches, but it can help repel them. This is the best pet safe roach killer and repellent recipe for those with dogs and cats because it requires the use of catnip and is completely safe.
You will need:
- 1 liter of water
- Catnip
- A spray bottle
Just boil the catnip in a liter of water for around ten minutes. Once the mixture has cooled, pour it into a spray bottle and spray it around your home to repel roaches and other pests. Make sure you spray around entry and exit points and in basements, attics, bathrooms and crawl spaces.
- White Vinegar And Water
Like the catnip and water spray, white vinegar and water will not kill roaches, but it will repel them. For this reason we have included it here as one of the best pet safe roach killers and repellents you can make at home. Plusc it requires just a few ingredients that you almost certainly already have at home.
To make this spray at home you will need:
- 1 cup of white vinegar
- 2 cups of water
- 1 spray bottle
- 10 drops of peppermint oil (optional)
Combine vinegar and water into a spray bottle. For extra roach-repellent power and a delightful smell, you can also add peppermint oil.
This is not only a wonderful roach repellent but is also a pet safe and kid safe natural cleaner you can use to sanitize surfaces to further repel roaches and pests.
Tips On Preventing Future Roach Problems In Your Home
You can protect your home and family members from roaches by using preventative measures.
Once you have decided what the best pet safe roach killer is for you and your four legged family members, your next focus should be on how to prevent roaches from returning to your home in the future.
Luckily, preventing roaches from returning to your home is often a bit easier than trying to prevent a roach infestation once it begins.
Along with using the best pet safe roach killer and repellents to get rid of roaches, we also recommend you follow the below preventive measures to help keep roaches at bay.
- Practice Good Home Hygiene
One of the best ways to protect your home from pests like roaches is to practice keeping a clean home. Roaches are attracted to clutter, decay, and unsanitary conditions like left out foods.
You can help reduce your chances of having a roach infestation by sweeping, vacuuming, and sanitizing often. Declutter your home to reduce hiding places roaches like and don’t leave dirty dishes out in your sink overnight.
- Store Pantry Foods In Airtight Containers
Roaches often enter homes in search of food. Open pantry foods make excellent meals for these pests, so you can help reduce your chances of having a roach infestation by keeping foods sealed in airtight containers that are made of either hard plastic or glass.
Experts also suggest storing perishable foods in the refrigerator and tossing any overripe or rotting fruits and vegetables that usually reside on your counter fruit bowl.
- Implement Routine Home Maintenance
Along with keeping your home clean and tidy and storing food properly, it’s also wise to implement routine home maintenance.
Check your home often and caulk and seal any cracks, crevacises, or openings that could provide pests like roaches access to your home. We also recommend repairing ripped screens and ensuring doors and windows shut and seal properly.
- Keep Your Lawn Tidy And Landscaped
Roach infestations often begin outside, so before you find yourself investing in the best pet safe roach killer, make sure you do some good landscaping. Keep your lawn cut short, keep gardens tidy, and use straw in place of mulch.
You can also help keep roaches from entering your home by keeping plants and vegetation at least three feet from the perimeter of your home.
- Fix Leaky Pipes And Reduce Moisture Build Up
Many roaches can survive for up to a month with nothing but water, and they will often seek out moisture in your home for this reason. You can help keep roaches at bay by making sure you fix leaky pipes and dry and repair water damage as soon as you notice it.
Remove stagnant water sources around your home like dirty bird feeders, and keep gutters clean and debris free.
- Remove Debris In Your Yard
Speaking of debris, the final step experts recommend you take to keep roaches from becoming a problem in your home is to keep your yard debris free. Roaches like dark, damp places to hide so remove dead trees and logs. Rake up leaf litter and keep your yard clean and organized.
And remember, there are many species of roaches that infiltrate our homes. Before you purchase the best pet safe roach killer, trap, or repellent, make sure you have an idea of which type of roach you are dealing with.
Do you have any more ideas of which type of best pet safe roach killer works most effectively? Which one would you use to protect your home and family from roaches and other pests? Let us know your thoughts below in the comment section.
Jack founded our blog after two decades of working in the pest control industry. His vast experience dealing with a wide array of pests allows him to diagnose issues quickly and get to the heart of pest problems quickly and effectively. He has serviced more than 2,000 homes over his career and there is hardly any pest situation that he has not seen before.