Bed Bug Pesticide

Bed bug pesticide choices come in the from of sprays, foggers, liquids and dust. Each varies by the underlying active chemical or non-chemical ingredient, any lasting effect, effectiveness on bed bug eggs and if the product is mattress/fabric or food preparation area safe.

Pest control experts have access to a broader range of bed bug pesticide products than does the consumer. If you want to try the do it yourself approach to bed bug control, the most economical approach is to purchase a kit from a company such as All Stop, since it comes with all the tools (Spray, Dust, Steamer, Covers, Anti bed bug bite and itch reliever) and importantly information on how to kill bed bugs.

Bedbug Video on Sprays

This video provides a helpful overview of different spray products include bed bug pesticide based products and natural products.

Bedbug Spray

There are many bedbug sprays on the market. Three of the most popular bed bug pesticide sprays are listed below. If you are treating a mattress surface, then the Sterifab and Bedlam products are the best choice, as they will kill bed bugs, bed bug eggs and have a 7 day residual effect (continue killing bedbugs for 7 days).

Phantom is a good choice for cracks and crevices, but can only be used on mattress seams and folds. This product has a significantly longer residual effect .

Follow the manufacturers directions on the label. If you have children or pets, at minimum make sure that whatever insecticide is applied has completely dried. Of course, refer to the label regarding children and pets.

These include:

Phantom Aerosol Spray : This spray is effective against a broad array of insects in addition to bedbugs. It's key selling point in that it is undetectable to bedbugs and therefore the bugs will not avoid the areas sprayed. The product has a residual effect after spraying and is effective on both the bugs and eggs. The manufacturer indicates that it can be used on mattress seams and folds, but not on the surface.

Phantom Bedbug spray uses Chlorfenapyr as the active ingredient. While other base ingredients such as pyrethroid has seen some bedbug resistance, this chemical base has not.

Bedlam Professional Bed Bug Insecticide : This product is mattress safe and has a 2 to 4 week residual effect against bed bugs and their eggs. This spray is specifically marketed to target bedbugs.

Sterifab : This product is alcohol based and will kill bed bugs on contact. It is not marketed as having a residual effect. It indicates on the label that it is safe for treating the mattress surface, and is generally considered safe by the EPA. It is also pet safe, but of course should not be sprayed directly on pets.

There are also several bedbugs spray products available that are insecticide free. These effectively kill bed bugs on contact, but do not have a residual effect. They are mattress, children and pet safe. All of the following are good choices:

Benzarid Environmental Spray: Good alternative to chemical based sprays. Also available as part of a kit which includes mattress covers and bed bug dust.
All Stop Dead Bed Bug Spray: Eco-Friendly, true 25(b) exempt, non pesticidal Bed Bug Spray. Fast acting and effective with minimal application on bed bugs
Kleen Free - This Natural Ginesis type spray (mentioned in the above video) is safe to use. It uses enzymes to penetrate and cause the bed bug to molt before they should, causing them to die.

Bed Bug Pesticide Studies

Recently, Purdue University studied the use of popular pesticides on bed bug infestations. They researched a 15 story apartment building.

Products Used in the Study:

Liquid pyrethroid (deltamethrin, Suspend® SC)
Dust pyrethroid (cyfluthrin (Tempo® 1% dust)

The test treated the apartments in 2 week intervals when they observed that the bed bugs weren't fully removed. The study determined that to completely remove bed bugs it requires 2 to 4 treatments.

A University of Kentucky study showed that pyrethroids are starting to lose effectiveness against some bed bugs, but since there is no way to determine a resistant bedbug, the products are still used.

Professional Bed Bug Pesticide Products Available For Use:

Active Ingredient	Product Name(s)	Class	Formulation*
Chlorfenapyr	Phantom	pyrrole	SC
Cyfluthrin	•Tempo SC Ultra •Tempo 20WP •Tempo WP	pyrethroid	SC WP WP
Cyfluthrin & pyrethrins	•Intruder HPX	pyrethroid & pyrethrins	A
Deltamethrin	•DeltaDust •D-Force HPX •Suspend SC	pyrethroid	D A SC
Diatomaceous earth or Silicon dioxide	• Natural Guard Crawling Insect Control • Safer Brand Ant & Crawling Insect Killer	inorganic desiccant	D D
Esfenvalerate	•Onslaught	pyrethroid	ME
Hydroprene	•Gentrol	insect growth regulator	EC
Lambda cyhalothrin	•Demand CS •Bug Stop-Spectracide(OTC)	pyrethroid	ME RTU liquid
Permethrin	•Prelude	pyrethroid	EC
Phenothrin with isopropanol with MGK264	•Sterifab •Bedlam	pyrethroid	RTU A
2-Phenethyl-propionate (PEP) with piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and pyrethrins	•EcoPCO EC •EcoPCO DX	botanical (PEP) synergist (PBO) pyrethrins	EC D
Pyrethrins/ pyrethroids with piperonyl butoxide	•Kicker •Prescription Treatment PI •CB-80 •CB-123 Extra •565 Plus XLO	pyrethrins/ pyrethroids and synergist	EC A A A A
Silica and pyrethrins	•Drione •Tri-Die * Pyganic Dust	inorganic w/ pyrethrins	D D
Tralomethrin	•Saga WP	pyrethroid	WP