BedBugs Spray

A bedbugs spray can be an effective way to kill both bed bugs and their eggs. There are many sprays on the market. When choosing a spray, considerations include:

Ingredients such as Chemical or Non Chemical: Insecticide or Organic
Recommended Use/Safety:

Is it safe to use on mattresses, with pets, children in the house and/or
is the product limited to cracks, crevices, head boards, furniture etc.

Type of Sprayer: Aerosol or Pump Spray

The following table lists some of the more popular options with links that lead to where they can be purchased. At the bottom of this page we also list other helpful products that should be used along with a bedbugs spray to ensure that the bedbugs are completely removed from your home, apartment or office.

Note that it might take 2 to 3 treatments before the problem is brought under control. ALWAYS follow manufacturers instructions and keep out of reach of children and pets as these types of products can be toxic. Also note that bed bugs in the Northeast have shown some insecticide resistant. It is noted below when a product has been independently tested against these types of bed bugs.

Always follow the manufacturers directions.

Bedbug Spray Overview

A combination of sprays, products and methods are needed to effectively treat any bed bug infestation. In terms of bedbug spray products, two types are needed::

Knock Down Mattress Safe Spray: This spray will kill bed bugs and bed bug eggs on contact. They do not provide lasting protection against any bed bugs or eggs you might have missed. Sprays are either insecticide based or organic. We recommend using Sterifab as the best insecticide based spray (tested against insecticide resistant insects) and Bug Patrol for those that prefer an organic product.
Residual sprays: These sprays are applied to surfaces after they have been treated with a knock down spray. These invisible products will kill any bed bugs that crawl through the area sprayed. They are usually not mattress safe, but perfect for the edges of the box spring, bed frame, furniture and baseboards. We recommend using Phantom as it has also been tested against insecticide resistant bed bugs. There is no natural product in this category. If you prefer to stay all natural, apply fossil dust in a thin layer to all cracks and crevices after the knock down spray dries. Dust can be applied in all mattress and box spring seams. It is also a good idea to apply a dust product, even if using a residual spray.

The most economical best value is to purchase all in a kit. There are insecticide based bed bug kits and natural organic bed bug kits.

BedBugs Spray Products

Ready to Use BedBug Spray Pyrethroid (insecticide) Based Knock Down Sprays

Two knock down bed bug sprays that are registered for safe use on mattresses, for pet bedding, on carpets and other areas. They are both effective at killing bed bugs on contact, will kill bedbug eggs, and have a residual effect of seven days. Both products have been tested and are effective at killing insecticide resistant bed bugs. The two products are:

Bedlam (aerosol)
Sterifab (pump spray)

Other insecticides and bedbug sprays are meant for use in areas such as window frames, cracks, headboards, furniture, baseboards etc.

Apply a light coating of a mattress safe bed bug spray to all mattress and box spring seams. Be sure to peel back the cloth on the bottom of the box spring to treat inside the box spring.
Source: Bed Bug Supply

Natural Organic or Botanical Bedbug Insecticides

These products are made with natural pyrethrins (plant extracts). They will kill bedbugs on contact, but have a very short residual effect if any at all. Pump sprays are a preferable choice as aerosols may stain wood. Recommended products include:

All Stop Dead Bed Bugs Spray
Bug Patrol - made from plant extracts which have been shown to kill bed bugs within moments of contact
Kleen Free - Natural Ginesis enzyme based bed bug killer. Kills on contact as enzymes cause skin of bedbug to molt prematurely, killing the bedbug

All products are offered alone or as part of kits.

Another type of natural bed bug product is bed bug dust (also called fossil dust or diatomaceous earth). This product is 33% to 86% silica, 5% sodium and the rest is made from ground fossils. The dust kills bed bugs by clinging to the insect's exoskeleton, which results in a scab that leads to dehydration.

Synthetic Pyrethroid BedBugs Spray Products

This class of bedbugs spray products contain ingredients which are referred to as synthetic pyrethroids. These products have a long lasting residual effect and will kill bed bugs on contact. This class of products is primarily used in cracks and crevices such as baseboards, bed frames, along the edges of the room and furniture. They will stain the same surfaces that will be stained by water. Products include:

Phantom Aerosol Spray (chlorfenapyr) - Recommended Bedbugs Spray (note that this spray is not available in New York. New York residents should use Bedlam Bedbugs spray or one of the products listed below instead).
Onslaught� (esfenvalerate)
Demand CS (lamba-cyhalothrin) - microencapsulated liquid insecticide, lasts for months
Suspend SC (suspended concentrate, deltamethrin) - can be used in a sprayer. Residual effect for 3 months.

Be sure to apply these bedbugs spray products per the manufacturers directions in order to avoid any problems with exposure to people and pets in the home. Used properly, Phantom, a newer product, in particular can be safe and effective.

Use a residual bedbugs spray along the baseboards to kill any bed bugs that are hiding underneath or in the walls
Shown: Bedlam Aerosol Spray

If treating a mattress, Phantom can only be used along seams, better to use products in the Natural/Organic category or Bedlam/Sterifab when treating a mattress or other surfaces that come in direct contact with the skin. Phantom does not have this problem, although it make take up to 10 days to kill bed bugs. This in itself can be problematic as female bedbugs can lay eggs during this period.

Recent studies have shown some bedbug resistance to products such as Onslaught, Demand CS and Suspend SC, although they are still thought to generally be effective in helping to reduce the size of the bedbug population in a given room.

These products are also used on carpet along walls. Be sure to test in an out of the way place to avoid discoloration. For treating carpet surfaces, consider a carpet cleaner mixed with a strong disinfectant such as PuraCleenRX. Also test in a small area to avoid discoloration.

Inorganic Bed Bug Products (not sprays)

Three types of bed bug products fall under this category. They all help control a bed bug infestation over a longer period of time as they don't dry out and disappear. They are not as effective in areas that have higher levels of humidity. Active ingredients include:

Pyganic Dust (Silica Gel); avoid contact with children, adults, pets, use to fill in cracks as directed by manufacturer
Bed Bug Dust (also called diatomaceous earth, may contain an inseciticde)
Fossil Dust: All natural ground fossils

These products are placed in cracks, along baseboards and other areas where bed bugs might hide. Dust can also be used where liquids can be dangerous such as around electrical outlets. They are often used in combination with spray products as the last step during treatment. The reason is that bed bug eggs are hard to spot. When a late hatching bedbug comes in contact with dust/gel, it will kill them.

Bed Bug Dust can be applied to mattress seams after applying a mattress safe bedbugs spray
Source: Bed Bug Supply

Bed Bug IGR (insect growth regulator)

This class of bedbugs spray products interrupt the bed bug life cycle by making the adult bed bugs sterile. It does not actually kill any of the bedbugs, but can be helpful in reducing the size of the bed bug population. The most popular bed bug insecticide in this category is: