| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | Hot Shot Fogger6 With Odor Neutralizer |
| Second Best Seller | Black Flag 11079 Indoor Fogger |
| Best Raid Fogger | Raid Concentrated Deep Reach Fogger |
Cockroaches are one of the most common household pests in the United States and are considered public health pests. There is research that links cockroaches to asthma and the mechanical transmission of pathogens, aka bacteria, which can cause illness in humans.
Nearly every single homeowner has encountered cockroaches at one point or another in their lives, so do not feel ashamed if you are having an infestation of cockroaches in your space.
Cockroaches are naturally found outside, however, their flat bodies allow them to crawl inside easily, meaning they can access your home through small cracks and holes without you ever being aware they entered the building. This is especially true when temperatures cool in the fall or following heavy rain, as the insects seek shelter from cold temperatures and try to avoid drowning.
Unless you are wanting to kill roaches manually, then finding a pesticide is usually the best course of action. Foggers (also known as roach bombs or bug bombs) spread insecticides into an area. The chemicals fall and stick to surfaces, killing bugs that come into contact with them. But the fog is so subtle that it can even reach some crevices, suffocating any pests hiding in them!
There are quite a few manufacturers out there that make foggers, which can lead to confusion for buyers regarding which is the best choice.
So, in this article, we will go over the best cockroach foggers and tell you about each product and its benefits.
Check Amazon- Kills on contact
- Creates a fine, penetrating mist that reaches deep into cracks
- Non-staining
- One can covers over 2,000 cubic feet
Check Amazon- Control a variety of household pests
- One can treats a room that is up to 2,000 cubic feet
- Leaves a fresh scent
- Kills by contact
Top Picks: The Best Cockroach Foggers Today
#1 Overall Best: Hot Shot Fogger6 With Odor Neutralize
The Overall Best Cockroach Fogger is the Hot Shot Fogger6 With Odor Neutralize. This cockroach fogger kills on contact, controls heavy infestations, and keeps killing roaches for up to two months after your first use.
Hot Shot Fogger6 creates a fine, penetrating mist that reaches deep into cracks and crevices to kill the bugs that you see, as well as the ones you don’t see. You can use this fogger in a variety of places, from homes and apartments to cabins and boats.
This roach fogger has a special odor-neutralizing formula so you can spray it anywhere in your house or apartment. The insecticide won’t leave any stains or wet residue, so it’s safe to use on furniture and other surfaces as well.
Each can covers over 2,000 cubic feet of unobstructed space, in rooms smaller than five feet by five feet, allowing the fog to enter from other rooms. But be sure to read and follow the instructions carefully for the fogger to work well.
In addition, this product can also help with other unwanted pests, like fleas, spiders, silverfish, and beetles.
You may need to use the fogger more than once to truly eradicate your unwanted pests. Roaches hide their eggs in little compartments, and the fogger doesn’t always get to them.
Pros and Cons of the Hot Shot Fogger6 With Odor Neutralize
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This pesticide kills on contact and can help control the return of roaches for up to two months after your first use. | This fogger doesn’t destroy cockroach eggs, so you may have to use it more than once after some time. |
| The fine penetrating mist neutralizes odors and doesn’t leave any wet residue or stains behind. | If you do not read and follow the instructions, the fogger will not be very effective. |
| One can covers over 2,000 cubic feet of unobstructed space. | |
| It can also help get rid of other types of bugs in your home. | |
| You can use it in a variety of different places. |
- Kills on contact
- Creates a fine, penetrating mist that reaches deep into cracks
- Non-staining
- One can covers over 2,000 cubic feet
2. Second Best Seller: Black Flag 11079 Indoor Fogger
The second best seller is the Black Flag 11079 Indoor Fogger. This cockroach fogger kills by contact with the mist in the air.
This is a concentrated fogger that keeps on working for 12 weeks after the initial application, so you don’t have to worry about pests coming back any time soon. It can also be used on non-porous surfaces, making it an even more effective way to fight insects in your home.
The Black Flag 11079 Indoor Fogger can control a variety of household pests, including roaches, ants (except fire, carpenter, harvester, and pharaoh ants), fleas, spiders (except brown recluse), mosquitoes, silverfish, brown dog ticks, houseflies, and more as listed.
Each can treats a room that is up to 2,000 cubic feet. The Black Flag 11079 Indoor Fogger kills insects and leaves a fresh scent. You can use it indoors such as in apartments, homes, attics, basements, garages, and household storage areas. Even better, it won’t leave any residue on surfaces after you use it. Plus, you only need one canister to treat an entire room, so there’s no need to use multiple cans.
However, since this fogger is strong, it is not made to use in small areas that are less than five feet by five feet. In addition, some customers reported that bugs came back within a few weeks, so you may have to use it again if this occurs.
Pros and Cons of the Black Flag 11079 Indoor Fogger
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This fogger uses a mist that kills roaches on contact. | It is not made to use in small spaces (anything less than five feet by five feet). |
| It is designed to work for up to 12 weeks after using it. | Some customers reported that they saw bugs a few weeks after their initial use. |
| You can use it on non-porous surfaces. | |
| It also helps to control a variety of other unwanted bugs. | |
| One can treats up to 2,000 cubic feet. | |
| It leaves a pleasant, fresh scent. | |
| It doesn’t leave any residue. |
- Control a variety of household pests
- One can treats a room that is up to 2,000 cubic feet
- Leaves a fresh scent
- Kills by contact
3. Best Raid Fogger: Raid Concentrated Deep Reach Fogger
Another good option for getting rid of cockroaches, ants, and spiders is the Raid Concentrated Deep Reach Fogger.
The Raid Concentrated Deep Reach Fogger penetrates into any cracks and crevices where bugs might be living or breeding, so you can make sure you get rid of them for good. One can covers up to 625 square feet, and keeps killer bugs for up to two months.
Plus, it keeps working for up to two months, so you don’t have to worry about pesky insects coming back for a while. And there’s no need to worry about stains or residue — this fogger won’t leave any behind.
The only drawback to this product is that the cans are quite small. Customers reported that while it worked great, they had to use more than one can.
Pros and Cons of the Raid Concentrated Deep Reach Fogger
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It helps to get rid of cockroaches, ants, and spiders. | The cans are quite small. |
| The fogger penetrates into cracks and crevices. | |
| One can can cover up to 625 square feet of space. | |
| After your first initial use, the fogger can keep killing bugs for up to two months. | |
| There is no residue or any stains left behind after you use the fogger. |
- Kills ants, roaches, and spiders
- Non-staining
- Kills for up to 2 months
- Penetrates cracks
Choosing the Best: What to Look For in a Cockroach Fogger
Cockroach foggers are sold at many home improvement stores. They look like small aerosol cans and are designed to be used in confined spaces, like rooms within a house. Typically, the fogger is placed on a table or chair, and the user activates it by pressing a button or removing a tab on the top of the can.
When activated, the cockroach bomb releases a pesticide into the air. This pesticide then settles on surfaces with which cockroaches may come into contact, thereby killing them.
When choosing the best cockroach fogger there are three factors you need to consider: the manufacturer, proportions of the target area, price, effectiveness, safety, and precautions.
Price
When buying a cockroach fogger, the price is an important matter. They are some foggers that are very pricey but there are also cockroach foggers that are on the cheaper side. You are also able to buy some good quality foggers at a low price, but you may have to comprise a little on the quality or volume.
Manufacturer
Such as all other products out there, the brand is an important factor here. Some brands are ill-famed for their by-products. Some of the best brands for cockroach foggers are Raid, Black Flag, Hot Shot, and Spectracide.
Proportions of The Target Area
Inappropriate use of cockroach foggers can decrease their effectiveness of them, and can even be harmful. It is important to read the label of your cockroach fogger and make sure you are buying the fogger in the correct quantity. It is also very important that you read the instructions and follow them carefully.
To choose the best cockroach fogger for your situation, you need to know the different types that exist. Effectiveness, safety, precautions, and time and money. Each type is suited for different use cases, with clear pros and cons.
Effectiveness
Foggers may not reach all the places where cockroaches can hide. That means they will only kill the ones that come in contact with the pesticide, which is usually a very small percentage of the cockroaches present in an infestation. Plus, cockroaches often hide in hard-to-reach places like behind walls and inside appliances, so bombs are not very useful for treating large-scale cockroach issues.
If you have a roach problem in a small room, foggers can be helpful because it’s easier to control the area and cover everything before letting off the pesticide. Afterwards, cleaning up is also much easier.
Safety
It’s important to be careful when using cockroach foggers because they contain pesticides, which can be dangerous for your health. After use, the surfaces you touch often can have traces of pesticide on them, so make sure to read the instructions and warnings carefully.
Also, these products have aerosol in them which means they may be flammable, so it’s best to take extra precautions. Clean up any leftover pesticide before you do things like eat or play with pets.
Precautions
The Environmental Protection Agnecy (EPA) states that if you’re using a cockroach fogger, you will need to take some safety measures. Before you use it, make sure to cover food preparation surfaces like counters and sinks. You should also vacate the premises for two to four hours, depending on the product you’re using, and keep pets out too. After using the fogger, open windows to let in fresh air, wash all linens and vacuum carpets. It’s really important to follow all of these steps in order to keep everyone safe!
In our research, it would be best if you are using a fogger to use it in spaces that are not used as often, so you don’t have to worry as much about people possibly getting sick.
It’s really important to be careful when using cockroach foggers because of the health risks and possible hazards involved. Always make sure to read through the directions and don’t use more than one fogger per room, like the EPA recommends.
Verified Review: User Experience
Hot Shot Fogger6 with Odor Neutralizer user Lexy says “to people say it doesn’t work, you’re using it wrong!!”
“So first of all I want to say everyone who is saying it doesn’t work your using it completely wrong. So I’m a professional automotive painter and every now and then we get bugs in our paint booth, the recommended bottle we’re about 2 per a unit size of a 2 car garage. I used 8 bottles to BOMB the unit I used a paint mask to walk around while setting up the bombs, it was a think cloud of smoke. I later came back to open the doors and bam I saw dead black widows size of half your hand dead, beetles, pincher bugs, all types of bugs that hide in little cracks of behind things. Was skeptical about products like this but if used right will work Guaranteed ! Also bombed my garage at home worked amazingly! Want to do another bomb for the garage to see if I misssed anything along with my whole house to see what I find what’s lurking in the shadows!”
- Kills on contact
- Creates a fine, penetrating mist that reaches deep into cracks
- Non-staining
- One can covers over 2,000 cubic feet
Holly Sears was pleasantly surprised with the results from the Black Flag 11079 Indoor Fogger. They said:
“Okay, so it actually does really work and continues to work weeks after. Just recently moved to a place with a warmer climate, never had cockroaches in my life and suddenly they were everywhere. Hired professionals to come in and spray, they even suggested possibly replacing the stove because they thought they might be living inside the electrical unit. I tried the outlet things, those are a joke. So finally I tried the bomb. Only used it in the garage at first to test out how messy it was. Daily I was sweeping up baby cockroaches. Then when I could finally plan a day to get the cat out of the house for over two hours I tried it in the kitchen. I have since found 4 baby ones to sweep up and 2 big ones. I am still sweeping up about 6 or 7 baby’s in the garage every other day. You don’t notice the smell, and they are not messy. But I now am no longer scared of making a midnight snack or walking into the kitchen after dark.”
I’ve decided that they must be getting in the house thru the garage, but now they die before they can make it. I am happy, very happy with the results. Would definitely buy again, but probably won’t need to for a while.”
- Control a variety of household pests
- One can treats a room that is up to 2,000 cubic feet
- Leaves a fresh scent
- Kills by contact
Raid Concentrated Deep Reach Fogger users are loving this product, Jayzman Walker states:
“Worked great before I left for work I set them off the fog got thick before I could leave I used the deep reach raid it got every corner haven’t seen any bugs alive since I even got a box with 4 in it but it’s cheaper at the store I paid 7 bucks compared 13.”
- Kills ants, roaches, and spiders
- Non-staining
- Kills for up to 2 months
- Penetrates cracks
Up Next:
- How To Get Rid of Roaches Overnight — Want to get rid of cockroaches ASAP? We’ll show you five ways to do it!
- The Best Cockroach Bait: Reviewed and Ranked — Another way to tackle your cockroach problem is to use cockroach bait. Check out our list of the best options out there!
- The Best Cockroach Repellent — Check out our reviews for products to help keep cockroaches out of your home for good!
| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | Hot Shot Fogger6 With Odor Neutralizer |
| Second Best Seller | Black Flag 11079 Indoor Fogger |
| Best Raid Fogger | Raid Concentrated Deep Reach Fogger |
The Best Cockroach Fogger: Reviewed and Ranked FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Do bug bombs affect clothes?
Yes, bug bombs affect clothing. If you fog your home for pests, make sure to take off any clothes that might be in the area – or put them in a plastic bag. That’s because insecticides can contaminate your clothes and transfer onto your skin, which could cause you to get sick. So if you do leave clothes in the room while you fog it, wash them really well before wearing them.
What if I breathe in some of the fogger?
Bug bombs may seem safe, but they can still be dangerous to humans if you don’t follow safety precautions. Breathing the fumes can irritate your respiratory system and cause symptoms like nausea, shortness of breath, throat irritation, and coughing. In some cases, it can even lead to worse issues like headaches, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, and allergies.
To avoid potential problems, it’s essential to take some safety measures when setting up a fogger. Wear protective gloves and a face mask. If you have sensitive skin, cover open parts with the right clothing, like long sleeves, pants, socks, and shoes. And don’t forget to protect your eyes from the fumes!
Do I have to cover the furniture in my home?
To make sure you don’t have to clean any surfaces afterward, it’s important to properly cover beds, furniture, and other objects with plastic bags or newspapers before fogging. That way, the chemicals won’t remain on the surfaces after application.
How long do I need to stay out of the house after starting the fogger?
The length of time each fogger lasts can differ, so it’s important to check the instructions for your product. Usually, it will take around two to four hours for all the bugs to die from the fogger. After that, open up any doors and windows and let the area air out for at least 60 minutes.
Can foggers kill cockroach eggs?
Fumigators and foggers aren’t always able to get rid of all the cockroach eggs. The insects hide their eggs so well that it’s hard for a fumigator to reach them. Roaches like to hide their eggs so that even more roaches can come out later. To get rid of the eggs, you can try crushing them with a boot or sucking them up with a vacuum cleaner.
However, you may not be able to reach the eggs depending on where they are. One of the best ways to get rid of the eggs is to use growth regulators. This way the eggs won’t hatch.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.
