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, there are several considerations:

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.

Most rooms being treated will require multiple products such as a contact spray, longer lasting spray (such as bedlam), dust product and possible an IGR (Gentrol). All types are listed below.

The best value is to purchase all in a kit, such as the New York Bed Bug Control Kit, which gives you every type of product you need (bedlam, sterifab, dust, duster).

BedBugs Spray Products

Ready to Use BedBug Spray Pyrethroid Based Products

Two bed bug sprays 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. 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. There are three types of insecticides that are used for this purpose:

Natural Organic or Botanical Bedbug Insecticides

These products are made with natural pyrethrins. They will kill bedbugs on contact, but has a very short residual effect. Pump sprays are a preferable choice as aerosols may stain wood. If you would prefer a natural product, spray choices include the two products mentioned below. Both products are offered alone or as part of kits that contain other helpful products such as bed bug dust, which is a natural product that safely provides a long residual effect. Dust clings to the bedbugs body, which in turns kills the insect.

Benzarid Environmental Spray - this bedbugs spray has as its active ingredient benzalkonium chloride. It is a safe alternative to permetherins for elimination of bed bugs. It is virtually odorless and kills bed bugs immediately.
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

Synthetic Pyrethroid BedBugs Spray Products

This class of 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)
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.

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)

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 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: