How Long Do Roach Baits Take To Work?

Roach baits are one of the easiest and most effective ways to get rid of roaches. So how long does it take cockroach bait to work? They do not work immediately like contact sprays, but baits allow the roach to live long enough to take the poison back to its hiding place and share it with the rest of the nest. The actual amount of time that it takes to eliminate roaches depends a lot on the species involved and the size of the infestation. After a week, you should notice a big improvement, and after about a month, you should be close to getting rid of them all.

What are roach baits?

A roach bait is food that has been blended with insecticide. Usually, different types of attractants are used to lure many different species of roaches. Baits come in the form of gels, flowable dusts, and bait stations. Gels are typically the fastest acting, but they can dry out, while other forms can provide longer lasting coverage. A combination is usually the most effective.

How do roach baits work?

Roach baits use common cockroach behaviors against themselves. Roaches will eat nearly anything, including roach feces and dead roaches. By using a delayed toxicant in the bait, roaches will eat it and return to their harborages. Along the way, they will release urine and feces that are contaminated with insecticide that other roaches will then eat. When the roach finally dies in the nest, the other roaches will ingest the body and become poisoned as well. Depending on the insecticide used, kill times may range anywhere from 6 hours to 4 days.