Short answer: the Health Canada label for Ortho Ant B Gon Max Ant & Roach Killer Gel (PCP Reg. No. 32560) says to "inject gel into cracks and crevices around windows and doors, inside and out, along baseboards, in dead spaces or any other tight space where the bait is protected from exposure and inaccessible to children and pets." It also says: "The boron works slowly and sufficient bait should be made available for at least 14 days of continuous feeding." And: "Do not use sprays, foggers or any chemicals or cleaners near the bait placements."
This guide covers what that label says about using the gel on cockroaches and ants, what Health Canada's own cockroach page recommends alongside any pesticide, and the other registered products we list whose labels name cockroaches. We quote the labels and Health Canada; we don't add claims of our own.
What is Ortho Ant B Gon Max Ant & Roach Killer Gel?
It is a Domestic-class insecticide gel bait registered by Scotts Canada Ltd. under PCP Reg. No. 32560. The guarantee is disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, 6.0%, and the label's unit size is a 42.5 g syringe. We list it as Ortho Ant B Gon Max Ant & Roach Killer Gel 2 x 42.5 g.
The label's use statement: "For control of ants, carpenter ants and cockroaches, use indoors or outdoors in and around homes, apartments and condominiums."
How do you use Ant B Gon Max gel?
The label's directions: "Remove a syringe from the package and inject gel into cracks and crevices around windows and doors, inside and out, along baseboards, in dead spaces or any other tight space where the bait is protected from exposure and inaccessible to children and pets."
The label also says: "Repeat placement of the bait until satisfactory control has been achieved."
How long does it take for the gel bait to work?
The label does not give a number of days to results. What it says is: "The boron works slowly and sufficient bait should be made available for at least 14 days of continuous feeding." Leave the placements in place and replace the bait as the label directs; we don't make a speed claim beyond the label.
Can you spray or clean near the gel?
Not near the bait. The label says: "Do not use sprays, foggers or any chemicals or cleaners near the bait placements." "This may contaminate the bait and cause the insects to cease feeding."
If you also use one of the sprays listed further down, that instruction on the gel label still applies to the gel placements.
Is the gel safe around kids and pets?
We don't make a safety claim for any pesticide. The gel label's precautions read: "Apply/use only in areas inaccessible to children and pets." "KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS." "Avoid contamination of water, foodstuffs and utensils." "Wash hands after use."
The first-aid section ends: "Take the container, label or product name and Pest Control Product Registration Number with you when seeking medical attention." For disposal, the label says: "Wrap empty container and discard in household garbage." If a pet may have eaten bait, call your veterinarian.
What does Health Canada say about getting rid of cockroaches?
Health Canada's cockroach page puts cleaning first: "Intensive cleaning measures and pesticides should be used jointly to control cockroaches. Pesticides alone will not be successful, since the living environment must be physically changed first." It also notes: "Their presence does not necessarily mean unclean conditions exist."
From its list of cleaning and prevention steps:
- "Clean up spills immediately. Do not leave pet water and food out 24 hours a day."
- "Keep food in tightly sealed plastic or glass containers, rather than in paper or cardboard that roaches can chew through and lay eggs in."
- "Store garbage in sealed plastic containers and dispose of it daily."
- "Repair leaky faucets and pipes."
- "Seal and caulk all cracks, crevices, and pipe openings to reduce cockroach hiding places."
On traps: "Traps, including sticky traps, let you monitor the population and location of roaches so that you know where to concentrate your efforts." On choosing a product: "If you use a pesticide to control your pest problem, read the label to make sure you are choosing the right product for the right pest." "Always look for a Pest Control Products (PCP) number on the label so you know the product has been approved by Health Canada."
Other products we list whose Health Canada labels name cockroaches
These are sprays and aerosols, not baits; each label's pest list includes cockroaches. Read each label for where and how it may be used.
- Ortho Ant B Gon Max Ant and Roach Killer Spray Aerosol 400 g — PCP Reg. No. 33725. The label's indoor-use pest list includes ants, cockroaches, crickets, earwigs, firebrats, silverfish, sowbugs and spiders.
- Ortho Home Defense Max Home Insect Killer Aerosol 400 g — PCP Reg. No. 33763. The label's crawling-insect list includes ants, cockroaches, crickets, earwigs, silverfish and spiders.
- Ortho Home Defense Max Perimeter & Indoor Insect Control Ready-To-Use 1 L — PCP Reg. No. 27521. The label's indoor list includes ants, cockroaches, crickets, firebrats, silverfish, sowbugs and spiders.
- Ortho Bug B Gon Diatom Diatomaceous Earth Multi Bug Killer Aerosol 340 g — PCP Reg. No. 32673. The label lists ants, cockroaches, crickets, earwigs, fleas and silverfish.
Choosing between the Ant B Gon Max products for ants? See our guide Which Ortho Ant B Gon Max Do You Need? Seven Canadian Labels Compared.
Crickets in the house too? See our guide How to Get Rid of Crickets in the Garage or House (Canada).
Pesticides are regulated by Health Canada; read and follow the label before every use.
Sources: Health Canada Pesticide Label Search — label for ORTHO ANT B GON MAX ANT & ROACH KILLER GEL (PCP Reg. No. 32560, Scotts Canada Ltd.), version 2017-0029 dated 2017-01-13, and the current labels for PCP Reg. Nos. 33725, 33763, 27521 and 32673, viewed October 2026; Health Canada, "Cockroaches" (canada.ca, Pest control tips), viewed October 2026.