Best Bed Bug Killer Products

Even though bed bugs cannot fly, they’re one of the most dangerous and annoying insects. Bed bugs are small in size and move very fast. Also, people who have ever faced them know that getting bed bugs out of the house is hard.

These insects can hide everywhere, and even in hard-to-reach areas and furniture. They feed only on blood, so they live close to humans.

Bed bugs are carriers of many issues and inconveniences. They also can be a cause of different allergic reactions and asthma.

What Are Bed Bug Killer Products?

Bed bugs are parasitic insects that can live in people’s houses. Adults are brownish-red, oval, and flattened. Bed bugs hide in cracks and crevices in the day, particularly around beds, and feed at night. Bed bugs do not transmit diseases, but their bites can cause itching and swelling.

Infestations start with one mated female, and the population can triple in two weeks. Bed bugs can live in your home for months, but they die after 70 days without food.

You can get a safe and effective treatment for bed bugs if you know the proper process. However, know that when using bed bug pesticides, you should expect the following outcomes:

Improper or inappropriate pesticide usage might worsen an infestation. Bed bugs usually spread to avoid pesticides.
Some bed bugs have developed resistance to insecticides, so using them may add to the problem and contribute to their immunity to these chemicals.
Pesticides have been linked to sickness, even when label recommendations are followed. Applicators and those entering rooms after treatments are at risk. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, disorientation, and headaches.
These insecticides do not destroy eggs. Reapplication or other long-term control strategies are always needed.

If insecticides are necessary, the following are precautions to limit the risk of unwanted effects:

Avoid insecticide bug sprays and “bug bombs.” Exposure occurs while inhaling the fogger or coming in contact with surfaces coated with residue.
Avoid daily sprays. All these methods are ineffective and expose individuals to unnecessary pesticides.
Ensure the product is intended for bed bugs and authorized for indoor usage.
Use powdered pesticides only in areas out of reach of children and pets.
Let your neighbourhood know of the treatment and the measures to avoid disease.
Always read and follow pesticide label instructions. Failure to follow them may result in damages.
Only use products approved by either the Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PRMA) or the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA).

More than 300 pesticides have been authorized for use against bed bugs. Most of which contain pyrethroids. Most bed bug populations have gained pyrethroid and pyrethrin resistance.

Some bed bug insecticides can be used only by pest management experts. Experts can treat pesticides better than homeowners as they have resources and experience.

Low-Impact Bed Bug Killer Products

Botanicals – These contain neem oil, phenylethyl, and propionate. Neem is a non-toxic natural tree oil safe for humans, pets, wildlife, and plants.

Phenylethyl propionate has a low toxic botanical extract with low risk to humans. Botanical oils don’t provide residual effect bed bug prevention.

Insect growth regulators (IGRs) – These have S-hydroprene, pyriproxyfen, and methoprene. They are non-toxic and present low risks to humans and pets. However, they are highly toxic to aquatic species. Insecticides usually contain pyrethroids and these are also found in IGRs.
Mineral Compounds – These contain diatomaceous, fumed silica, and boric acid. They present low risks to humans and pets when used in restricted locations. However, boric acid is also toxic.

EPA doesn’t classify diatomaceous earth as a carcinogen. Nevertheless, avoid inhalation or skin exposure during application.

Pyrethrins – Unlike manufactured pyrethroids, these plant-derived chemicals degrade and are not hazardous. In humans and pets, they can cause allergic responses and asthma. The EPA considers them dangerous. In some cases, bed bugs’ resistance to these chemincals hinders effectiveness.
Isopropyl Alcohol – Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) is hazardous to humans and pets. Since it is combustible, you can use it externally.

Bed Bugs Killer Products with Serious Side Effects

Chlorfenapyr – The EPA considers this a potential hazard, and effective treatment takes days. It is toxic to children and animals.
N-Methyl Carbamates – These contain carbaryl propoxur. These compounds are toxic to humans and pets, especially children.

Take extra precautions near fish tanks. They are harmful to aquatic life. Carbaryl is a recognized hazard, according to the EPA. Not for use in places with children.

Neonicotinoids – This contains acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, and imidacloprid. Neonicotinoids are toxic to humans and have a mild poisonous effect.

They’re absorbed partly through the skin. Most are poisonous to aquatic invertebrates and insects. Acetamiprid is not hazardous to humans, but it is not also toxic to insects.

Neonicotinoids are commonly used with diatomaceous earth and pyrethroids in bed insect treatments.

Organophosphates – It contains DDVP (known as dichlorvos). This group of compounds is quite hazardous to humans. They’re also neurotoxic, especially to children.

The EPA considers DDVP a potential carcinogen. Malathion is a possible carcinogen and endocrine disruptive force.

Pyrethroids – It contains bioallethrin, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, deltamethrin, permethrin, and esfenvalerate. Pyrethroids are neurotoxic to humans and animals.

They can also irritate others, producing allergic responses and asthma. They may have long-term reproductive effects due to endocrine disturbance.

Permethrin is a potent toxin, while bioallethrin and bifenthrin are potential carcinogens. Also, it is a developing toxin.

Most pyrethroid formulations also contain a synergist, which increases the pyrethroid’s insecticidal activity. Synergists include PBO and N-octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide.

The EPA considers both synergists carcinogenic. Resistance impacts therapy efficacy in various areas.

Sulfuryl Fluoride – This central nervous system depressant and volatile gas are toxic to humans and pets. A structure must be thoroughly sealed or tented to use sulfuryl fluoride fumigants.

It is a specialized and regulated therapeutic option. Professionals can only perform fumigations. Also, to other control measures, fumigants have no lasting effects.

How Do Bed Bug Killer Products Work?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved over 300-bed bug killer products. Most of these can be used by homeowners, but a handful is only available to experts.

Each chemical class uniquely eliminates bed bugs. Using this in different modes reduces the risk of pests developing resistance.

Aerosol “fumigators” or “bug bombs” are useless at getting rid of bed bugs. These only kill visible insects and drive them out of their hiding spots.

When using pesticides, you must work with caution and pay close attention to proper application, especially indoors. Don’t use these insect killers unless they specify whether it is safe indoors.

Never use a pesticide on yourself, your children, or your pets. Also, pay attention to the label’s safety instructions. Failure to follow instructions can possibly lead to danger for yourself or your family.

Types of Bed Bug Killer Products

Below are the following types of bed bug killer products available in the market.

Pyrethrins and Pyrethroids

Pyrethroid insecticides are an active component used in modern pesticides used by professionals.

Pesticides of the same class are not all toxic or efficient against the same pests. Despite this, most pyrethroid pesticides are effective.

The following are the best characteristics of pyrethroids:

Less toxic to pets and animals alike
Toxic to fish when applied to water
Doesn’t need a higher dosage to kill insects
May be absorbed by walking over the dry residue
Bind to the soil and organic substances
Dissolve slowly in water

Some pyrethroid insecticides can survive for days or weeks in the environment, while allethrin and resmethrin break down within minutes to hours after application.

Desiccants

Desiccant products work by absorbing moisture from the air. Drying chemicals attract moisture molecules from the air to the desiccant surface. Some products use capillaries condensation, where microscopic pores fill with water molecules.

If you live in a place with high humidity levels, then desiccant products can be pretty helpful. They are also known as dehumidifiers since they absorb moisture in the air to make it dry and clean.

Desiccants are used for both commercial and domestic purposes. Some people use rice as an organic desiccant to keep food fresh.

Rice in the spice container will help keep it fresher longer by absorbing moisture. Salt is also a natural desiccant. It’s essential to choose the best desiccant to protect your products.

Biochemicals

Biochemical insecticides are gaining popularity as more people move to greener solutions. Plants, fungus, and other organisms produce biochemicals.

They kill pests in non-toxic ways that are safe for pets and people, even in the kitchen. Biochemical insecticides kill adults, nymphs, and eggs.

Pyrroles

In treating bed bugs, chlorfenapyr is the only form used in pyrrole. Chlorfenapyr is a “pro-insecticide,” which means another chemical must activate it to work.

The produced chemical affects a bed bug’s body in a variety of ways, causing it to die.

Neonicotinoids

Neonicotinoids are substances that can kill pests immune to pyrethroids. Their synthetic characteristics alter the nicotinic receptors found in the nervous system.

They’re manufactured and do not come from a natural source. Neonicotinoids induce nerves to fire until they fail.

How to Choose the Best Bed Bug Killer Products

Depending on their purpose, bed bug killers are either insect repellents or insecticides and they are different sorts of pesticides.

Pesticide encompasses any material designed to kill or repel pests. But, insecticides are commonly thought of as chemicals meant to kill insects alone.

Below are the best bed bug killer products that might work well for your needs:

Bug Repellents – You can use insect repellents to keep some bugs at bay. Mosquitoes and ticks are usually the most common targets for these, but some are also efficient with flies and other pests like biting gnats.

Bug repellents are produced for skin or clothing usage. One insect repellent’s most famous active chemical is diethyltoluamide (DEET). Its amount in various insect repellents varies and can range from 15% to 40%.

Mosquitoes have a hard time detecting you as prey because of DEET, however, they cannot die from it. So, when you apply DEET to your skin and clothing, it will only keep them away. Just be sure not to use DEET near leather, synthetic textiles, plastics, and painted things.
Natural Bug Repellents – Instead of manufactured repellents, you can use essential oils or active compounds obtained from plant clove oils.

Take note, however, that natural products are less effective than synthetic products. These are good solutions if you have only irritating pests rather than disease-bearing bugs.

Bug Killer Sprays – While insect repellents keep pests away, insecticides kill pests that come in contact with them. Also, it disrupts their life cycle to prevent reproduction in some cases.

These bug sprays usually kill on contact. Some are spot treatments and last for a single application. But like perimeter or barrier protection, some can kill insects for weeks or months before reapplication is required.

Pyrethroids are active ingredients in many synthetic bug killer sprays. Pyrethroids are pesticides that kill insects by disrupting their nervous systems.

The frequency of reapplication of these bed bug killer products depends on several factors, including the repellent’s active ingredients and how much you sweat.

Although some active ingredients provide a shorter defense against insects, you can use them when you’re outdoors. For outdoor activities like walking and running, however, you will require a higher dosage or more frequent reapplications of these repellents.

The pest variety may also affect how long treatment lasts. For instance, a repellent may protect you against mosquitoes longer than flies.

Best bed bug sprays have a shelf life of several years, but this also varies by product. You can find the expiration date on the packaging or by contacting the manufacturer. Remember that improper storage can reduce the shelf life of these products.

Ortho Home Defense Max

Kills ants, spiders, cockroaches, fleas, ticks, and other insects. This product is odorless and doesn’t leave any residue. Also, it dries up to 30% faster, and pets and children may enter treated locations after the spray has dried.

Features:

Easy to apply
Designed for outdoor use
Has an attached spray trigger included

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EcoRaider Bed Bug Killer

EcoRaider is the only natural solution that eliminates bed bugs completely. It is an extremely popular and effective bed bug spray designed to get rid of insects.

Entomologists have tested this product for eliminating bed bug infestation in public housing. It is recommended for sensitive environments. It contains non-toxic chemicals, is eco-friendly, and is safe around pets and children.

Features:

Does not contain harmful toxins
Easy to apply
Long-lasting effect

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Eco Defense Bed Bug Killer

Eco Defense Natural Organic Formula spray is meant to kill bed bugs in all forms and subspecies. Natural, organic, and non-toxic substances were used to create this product.

There is no need to be concerned about odours or harmful chemicals coming into contact near you. Unlike some other products, it won’t stain your clothing.

Apply straight to the sheets, mattress, and cover to eradicate bed bugs on the spot. It is extremely quick and easy to use. It is easier to use and more efficient than other bed bug solutions.

Features:

Kills on contact
Works quickly
Easy to use

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Harris Bed Bug Killer Liquid Spray

Harris Bed Bug Killer uses Imidacloprid, n-Octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide, d-Phenothrin. Also, it has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (No. 1021-2597-3) for use at home around people and pets.

Features:

It is easy to use
An odourless, non-staining formula
Kills pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs

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Hot Shot Bed Bug Killer

Hot Shot Bed Bug & Flea Home Insect Killer will work for some and not for others. Spray desired areas until wet but not saturated, and reapply after two weeks while bed bugs are active.

Use this solution as part of a bed bug treatment. For the best bed bug control results, treat these pests as part of a cycle.

Features:

Easy to use
Approved by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency
Very effective in killing insects

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Harris Bed Bug Killer Diatomaceous Earth

This formula contains diatomaceous earth. This powder kills bed bugs within 48 hours and continues to work where applied when kept dry.

The puffer tip allows for easy application into cracks and crevices and as surface treatment. The powder is ideal for a complete treatment as it can reach hard-to-reach places.

Features:

Bugs die within 48 hours of contact
Continues to kill bed bugs for up to 4 weeks
Comes with a free powder applicator

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Bedlam Plus Bed Bug Aerosol

Bedlam Plus Bed Bug Aerosol by MGK was created to kill even the eggs of insects. It reduces the hatching of bed bug eggs in both vulnerable and resistant bed bug strains.

Best as a surface spray for mattresses, wood furniture, and carpets. This water-based product will not stain textiles or surfaces.

Features:

Highly effective
Affordable price
Kills bed bugs resistant to pyrethroid

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Raid Bed Bug Foaming Spray

Raid Bed Bug Foaming Spray is formulated to kill bed bugs and eggs. The foam expands into hard-to-reach places, and it is easy to see where you sprayed.

Features:

Kills bed bugs and their eggs
Foam expands into hard to reach places
Easy to use

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