Safe cockroach killer: how to check SFDA registration

When cockroaches show up in the kitchen, many people go to the nearest shop and buy any spray. But the real question isn’t which pesticide is strongest – it’s which cockroach killer is safe and registered, and how to use it without putting your children or anyone else at home at risk.

In this guide you’ll learn why you should buy only registered household pesticides, how to check a product’s registration with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, how to read the label, the steps for safe use, the difference between gel and spray, the warning signs of poisoning, and when to call a licensed company.

Why only registered pesticides?

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority defines public health pesticides as pesticides registered for disease-vector control programmes or any other use aimed at protecting public health – which includes the cockroach, ant and mosquito products used in homes.

In a consumer alert, the authority stresses that unregistered pesticides have not been evaluated, so neither their effectiveness nor their effects on human health and the environment are known. An unknown product may be weaker than you need, or more toxic than suits a home with children.

How to check a pesticide’s registration with the SFDA

1. Look for the SFDA registration number on the container. The authority says the label of a registered pesticide carries its registration number.
2. Open the downloadable information lists page on the authority’s website and download the “Public health pesticides list”, an Excel file. The version published at the time of writing is dated 6 September 2026.
3. Search the file for the product name and registration number, and make sure both match the container, as the authority advises.
4. If you can’t find the product, or the number doesn’t match, don’t buy it. For any question, use the SFDA contact form.

Read the label before buying and using

According to the authority’s safe use of pesticides guide, make sure the label shows:

• Directions for use.
• The target pest.
• Safety instructions.
• The production and expiry dates.
• The pesticide’s registration number.

Also note the name and strength of the active ingredient. If someone is exposed, you’ll need the product name, its ingredients and strength when you call for help, as MedlinePlus notes. The US Environmental Protection Agency advises checking the label to confirm the product is approved for indoor use, and never using outdoor pesticides indoors, because they can stay toxic longer inside.

Safe use, step by step

1. Start with prevention: keep food in sealed containers, clear food scraps and dishes, fix water leaks, seal cracks and get rid of rubbish daily. This is the authority’s advice for keeping pests out before reaching for a pesticide.
2. Choose a pesticide suited to the target insect, and buy only the amount you need, in its original sealed container.
3. Take children and pets out of the area, and never let children apply pesticide. Wear a mask and gloves.
4. Move food and dishes away, and don’t spray bedding, kitchen utensils or food-preparation surfaces.
5. Spray directly where the insects are, such as cracks and hiding places – not the whole room. The EPA advises limiting spraying to targeted spots.
6. Don’t eat, drink or smoke while spraying, and don’t spray near an open flame. Put out the incense burner and bukhoor and turn off the gas stove before you start.
7. Leave the area and stay out for the time written on the label, then air the room well before going back in, as the authority advises.
8. Close the container tightly and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Gel or spray?

The EPA describes baits as the first line of chemical defence after prevention, because the risk of exposure is low if they are kept away from children and pets. It advises against spraying whole rooms with pesticides that aren’t in baits or traps, and against fogging devices unless absolutely necessary. Place gel dots in cracks, behind appliances and under the sink, out of children’s reach. For more detail, see our cockroach control guide for Riyadh.

Storage and disposal

• Close any leftover pesticide tightly, and store it away from food, children and direct sunlight.
• Keep it in its original container and never transfer it to another one – especially not a water or juice bottle.
• Don’t reuse an empty pesticide container for anything; it can hold toxic residue even after washing, as the EPA notes.
• Dispose of empty containers and expired pesticides according to the instructions on the package.
• Tell everyone at home, including your housemaid, where the pesticide is kept and that it isn’t for play or any other use.

Safety: signs of poisoning and what to do

MedlinePlus notes that poisoning from some household insecticides can cause breathing difficulty and skin irritation. Other types can cause drooling, increased tears, small pupils, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, dizziness, headache and weakness, wheezing, and even seizures.

⚠️ If any of these signs appear after exposure to a pesticide:

1. Call the ambulance on 997 immediately. You can also call the Ministry of Health emergency number 937, which the authority lists.
2. Don’t make the person vomit unless a professional tells you to.
3. If they breathed it in, move them to fresh air at once.
4. If it got on the skin or in the eyes, flush with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Remove contaminated clothing, as the authority advises.
6. Take the pesticide container with you to the hospital if you can.

When to call a licensed pest-control company

• If the insects come back after weeks of using baits correctly.
• If there is a baby, someone with asthma or an older person at home who shouldn’t be exposed to pesticides.
• If you suspect termites, which need a different treatment. See our termite guide for Riyadh.
• If the infestation has spread through a large villa or across more than one floor.

When you hire a company, the EPA advises asking them to fix the source of the problem first, such as leaks, to use baits and crack-and-crevice treatments where possible, and to write down the name and registration number of the product used.

Frequently asked questions

What is a safe cockroach killer for the home?

No pesticide is risk-free. The safest choice is a pesticide registered with the SFDA, made for household use and applied according to its label. The EPA considers baits lower-exposure than spraying, as long as they’re kept away from children.

How do I know if a pesticide is registered with the SFDA?

Look for the registration number on the container, then match the product name and number against the “Public health pesticides list” file on the downloadable lists page of the authority’s website.

After spraying, when can I go back into the room?

It varies from product to product, so follow what the label says. Before going in, air the room well, as the authority advises.

What should I do if a child swallows pesticide?

Call 997 immediately, don’t make the child vomit unless a professional tells you to, and have the pesticide container ready along with the child’s age, the time it was swallowed and roughly how much.

The short version

Buy registered products only, check the number against the authority’s list, read the label, start with prevention and baits before spraying, and store pesticides away from children.

If the insects come back, or someone at home shouldn’t be exposed to pesticides, you can book a team from our pest-control service.