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Does Lysol Kill Roaches? [YES, But…]

Nature has designed roaches and palmetto bugs, with an open circulatory system.

This means that, unlike other creatures, they do not breathe through the mouth and lungs. Instead, they rely on respiratory openings on the surface of the body. These openings are called Spiracles.

Does Lysol Kill Roaches?

Yes! Lysol kills roaches by physically interfering with respiration. This is achieved by clogging the respiratory openings on the body and choking them to death.

The Popular Choice
Lysol Disinfectant Spray, Sanitizing and Antibacterial Spray, For Disinfecting and Deodorizing, Crisp Linen, 19 Fl. Oz (Pack of 2)
9.4/10Our Score
  • A disinfectant spray that kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria
  • Antibacterial bleach-free disinfectant
  • Disinfecting spray for germs
  • Sanitizing spray for hard and soft surfaces ​
  • Leaders in disinfection

Lysol is a spray made of a solution that contains alcohol and other antiseptic chemicals. Due to low surface tension, Lysol has excellent penetrating and absorbing properties due to low surface tension, making it ideal for destroying eggs. So I am going to explain in detail does Lysol kill roaches.

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2. Hot Shot Foggers (To kill in masses – 95%)
3. Pet Safe Killers (Uses Essential Oils)
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How does Lysol kill roaches?

The market is flooded with insecticide sprays, and almost all of them contain a chemical neurotoxin that affects the nervous system of insects, including roaches.

No doubt that insecticide sprays are pretty effective and quick in action, but they do have downsides. Impact on the environment and aquatic life is notable, among others.

As discussed above, insects breathe through openings in their bodies, and physically blocking them will suffocate them to death. Lysol is intended for antisepsis due to the high percentage of alcohol. But it also contains a sticky substance called Benzalkonium Chloride, which makes it sticky.

Like any other sticky substance, if Lysol is sprayed on the roaches, it will either directly block the openings or cling the wings and legs to the body and block them. Hair spray will also kill a roach. You can check my article on does hairspray kills roaches here.

Quick Caution: It must be kept in mind that Lysol works when directly sprayed on the bug. It does not work like a typical insecticide spray.

How quickly can Lysol kill roaches?

In most cases, humans can’t withstand hypoxia (lack of Oxygen) for more than 5 minutes. But you will be amazed to know that cockroaches can remain alive for up to 8 to 10 hours without Oxygen.

So how quickly can Lysol kill roaches? Once you spray Lysol onto the roach, it will immediately incapacitate the bug. It seems like the bug has died instantly, but Lysol takes 6 to 12 hours to kill a bug or a cockroach.

Depending on personal preference, once you incapacitate the bug, you may squash it to make the job easy.

Do all types of Lysol kill cockroaches?

Lysol is not the name of any chemical solution but is a registered trademark like Dettol. Just like Dettol is synonymous with a brownish-colored solution, the same is true with Lysol.

Lysol comes in wipes, cloth disinfecting solutions, bleaches, and antiseptic sprays. So do all types of Lysol products kill cockroaches? No, you need to have antiseptic spray by Lysol. Other products will not work and will most likely fail to kill cockroaches.

It is interesting to know that Lysol has an excellent ability to destroy the eggs of roaches. This is due to the high concentration of alcohol. Learn more on how to get rid of roach eggs. So it’s now quite evident if Lysol kills cockroaches or not.

The Popular Choice
Lysol Disinfectant Spray, Sanitizing and Antibacterial Spray, For Disinfecting and Deodorizing, Crisp Linen, 19 Fl. Oz (Pack of 2)
9.4/10Our Score
  • A disinfectant spray that kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria
  • Antibacterial bleach-free disinfectant
  • Disinfecting spray for germs
  • Sanitizing spray for hard and soft surfaces ​
  • Leaders in disinfection

Is Lysol More Effective Than Roach Killers?

Insecticide sprays have revolutionized the way we exterminate cockroaches. They are readily available, cost-effective, quick, and powerful to kill cockroaches like palmetto bugs. The insecticide sprays contain D-Allethrin and DEFENSA, two potent neurotoxins that act very quickly by interfering with nerve conduction.

Will Lysol Kill a Palmetto Bug

Apart from these benefits, the drawbacks to using insecticide spray include the damage to the atmosphere, aquatic life, and allergies to atopic people. On the other hand, Lysol spray is also effective at exterminating cockroaches but must directly be sprayed onto the roach and their eggs.

Given the above discussion, I conclude that Lysol is not better and more cost-effective than an insecticide spray. But if you do not have a readily available Insecticide spray, Lysol will do the job nicely.

You can also opt for natural palmetto bug repellants to keep these insects at bay.

Bait Station
Combat Max 12 Month Roach Killing Bait, Small Roach
9.5
Combat Max 12 Month Roach Killing Bait, Small Roach
  • Start killing small roaches in hours
  • Prevent them from returning for up to 12 months
  • Easy to use
  • Simply place them where roaches are found
  • Best for under sinks, behind toilets, and behind appliances
  • 18 child-resistant bait stations are included
  • No vapor, fumes, mess, or odor.
Foam Killer
Combat Max Ant and Roach Killer Quick Kill Foam Spray, 17.5 Ounce
9.4
Combat Max Ant and Roach Killer Quick Kill Foam Spray, 17.5 Ounce
  • Kills ants and roaches by contact
  • Visual reference of treated areas
  • Foam expands into hard-to-reach places where pests hide
  • Dries invisible and keeps killing for up to 10 months (German cockroaches on non-porous surfaces)
Roach Strip
Combat Roach Killing Bait Strips (Indoor/Outdoor)
9.3
Combat Roach Killing Bait Strips (Indoor/Outdoor)
  • Roaches find the bait strips and eat the bait.
  • Roaches carry the bait back to the nest
  • Stick the strip to a clean surface. Discard film in trash. Use all strips at once.
  • For indoor and outdoor (adjacent to home) use
  • This package contains 10 roach killing bait strips.

Is it painful to kill roaches with Lysol?

Roaches do not have emotions and are devoid of specialized pain receptors; therefore, they do not feel pain but sense irritation. This is built to protect them from environmental insults and dangers.

You may see a bug flapping wings and legs after they are sprayed with insecticide, but this is not due to pain but is the result of uncontrolled spasms elicited by the neurotoxin.

To make it brief, it may seem painful to kill a cockroach with Lysol, but they do not suffer any pain.