What kills bed bugs
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the registered active ingredients for bed bug control include 16 pyrethrins and pyrethroids, 4 neonicotinoids, 3 inorganic compounds, chlorfenapyr, DDVP (dichlorvos), propoxur, S-hydroprene, alcohol, and neem oil.
The University of Kentucky Entomology team also considers professional products such as Temprid® SC, Transport® and Phantom® effective. Among their active ingredients, not only pyrethroids are found, but also neonicotinoid compounds (imidacloprid, acetamiprid) as well as pro-insecticide chlorfenapyr.
Nowadays, pyrethrin- or pyrethroid-based (the latter are synthetic analogues of pyrethrins) remain the most popular chemical sprays. They attack nerve cells and cause multiple nerve excitation. This ultimately leads to paralysis and the death of the insects. These pesticides are one of the most powerful ones, but many insects have become resistant to them over the years.
All these products are reviewed in our Top-10 best killer sprays. Read it to learn more.
IGR products
The Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech specialists explain that today “there is only one insect growth regulator that is labeled for bed bug control – hydroprene”. However, some latest research has shown that IGRs don’t actually sterilize these insects, they slowly kill them instead. This means that bed bugs can produce at least one generation of offspring before dying. The Cornell University experts don’t recommend rely on IGRs too much either (“Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) affect the development and reproduction of insects. Although they can work well, they don’t kill bugs quickly”). Therefore, we can say that you’d better use IGRs that are complementary to other insecticides.
Natural Bed Bug Sprays
Some organic low-toxic solutions can indeed kill bed bugs on contact. As the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension unit specialists state, don’t expect any residual action after they are dry. In addition, it has been proven that pests can avoid treated places. Along with that, the scientists consider two oil-based products (based on the Rutgers University study) to be “surprisingly effective against adult species and eggs.” They are EcoRaider ™ (Geraniol & Cedar extract) and Bed Bug Patrol ™. Direct spraying of EcoRaider™ causes high initial death toll (80%) and 100% of the insects were dead within 10 days.
Are sprays better and more effective than other methods (vacuuming, bombs (foggers), traps, dusts&powders)?
There’s no simple answer to that question. According to the US FTC, bed bugs have developed a resistance to chemicals that are used in common pesticides, bug bombs, and foggers.
According to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, fumigation is not very effective: bed bugs almost always hide in crevices where fogger aerosols do not penetrate.
Vacuuming can be ineffective because while it can suck up a lot of insects, eggs are much harder to get. Besides, bed bugs can relocate to other rooms when you’ll try to empty the vacuum canister. So, all of the methods have their limitations, and you’ll have to use several for the extermination to be truly effective.
How long does bed bug spray last?
There are two types of bed bug sprays that are available on the market: contact and residual. The time it takes to kill a bug will essentially depend on which type you use in your household.
Contact vs Residual Sprays
If you choose to use contact sprays then they will almost immediately kill the bug upon contact, whereas if you happen to buy a residual one it will work slowly but will also last longer. Another thing that you have to consider before buying is what type of chemical formula it has. You need to ensure you’re buying the latest version of the product with the newest chemical compounds because bugs have developed resistance to old formulas and you’ll just waste your money on something that would be totally ineffective.
The EPA website has a tool to help you choose the latest best pesticide for your particular situation. For example, pyrethrins and pyrethroids are the oldest known compounds, that might prove to be ineffective when used alone. So, look for insecticides that would combine both pyrethrin and any another chemical class. Otherwise, go for desiccants that work physically through destroying the outer coating of a bed bug, meaning bed bugs cannot develop resistance to them.
How long does it take to eliminate all bed bugs?
Contact sprays will kill affected bed bugs immediately, while residual ones will require more time (several minutes) to kill but will also last longer, sometimes even up to a year after application. The time it would take to eliminate a bed bug infestation depends on the size of that infestation, other methods you are going to use, and other individual factors.
Why Are Insecticides More Effective Than Natural Products?
Professional products are most recommended for use by experts. Their advantage is their long-term action and residual killing effect after they are dry. However, in order for an adult insect to die of an insecticide’s residual effect, it should remain within the boundaries of the treated territory for several days. For this reason, it’s best to use chemicals in places where insects typically hide, such as floor cracks, corners, places along and under the skirting boards.
Also remember that these pests’ eggs are most difficult to eliminate as their outer shell protects future larvae from insecticides. That is why several repeat treatments will be necessary to remove any larvae that could hatch.
How Bed Bug Killing Sprays Work
Type
Active Ingredients
Killing Action
Residual Action
Natural | contact
Geranium oil, geraniol, clove oil, sodium lauryl sulfate etc
Are partially effective on contact.
N/A
Artificial chemical | contact
Pyrethrins and pyrethroids
Kill on contact, may be ineffective against certain pyrethroid-resistant populations.
High level of residual control: kill several days after drying.
Neonicotinoids (imidacloprid, acetamiprid), chlorfenapyr and other chemicals
Kill on contact, no insect resistance has been determined.
High level of residual control: kill several days after drying.
IGRs
Hydroprene
Poison the insects on contact, death will come before sterilization.
High level of residual control: kill several days after drying.
What You Should Know Before Spraying the Room
All sprays work in the same way: they kill the insects once they come in contact with them. The manufacturers promise that this is a matter of minutes or even seconds and the killing effect will last for a few hours following the application.
How long should you use spray
The experience reveals that it’s better to use it few times regardless of the infestation scale instead of counting on the effect of a single use. In addition, the first spray can simply paralyze the insects rather than directly kill them.
Never go for a single measure even if it seems that the bed bugs are gone. University of California scientists advise to combine the insecticides with infestation prevention measures, such as removing and cleaning infested beds, mattresses, and other harborage sites, as well as nonchemical tactics such as steam or heat delivery. Make sure you also invest in a mattress cover.
Where to apply bed bug spray
Know the dangerous spots and objects in the room, such as:
Luggage you’ve brought from a trip. As we’ve mentioned earlier, bed bugs tend to travel and come back home with you and then spread and breed all over the house
Floor and walls, carpets, cracks in the wooden floor, in the corners, door and window frames, behind the paintings or wallpaper, outlets.
Furniture and your sleeping place, the drawers in the chest or cabinets, sofa and armchair upholstery, mattresses, pillows, bed sheets and others.
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Bed Bugs and Alcohol: How To Use Alcohol To Kill Bed Bugs
BY JACOB OLESEN
How to use alcohol to kill bed bugsIn their quest to get rid of bed bugs quickly, homeowners are always on the lookout for safe do-it-yourself remedies and pest control solutions. Important among these is the use of rubbing alcohol, ethanol or Isopropyl alcohol for bed bug treatment. Many sprays containing alcohol are available commercially to help get rid of bed bugs for good. Naturally, the question foremost on most homeowners’ minds is whether alcohol indeed kills bed bugs?
In this guide, we will consider the safety and efficacy of use of Isopropyl rubbing alcohol for eradicating bed bugs permanently.
Bed Bugs and alcohol: does alcohol kill bed bugs?
Rubbing alcohol, 70% Isopropyl alcohol as well as 91% alcohol based sprays can be used effectively to get rid of large bed bug infestations. While most of these sprays can do the trick, expert entomologists recommend the use of Isopropyl alcohol in higher concentrations when dealing with bed bugs. This means that 91% rubbing alcohol sprays will help get rid of bed bugs faster than the 70% isopropyl alcohol sprays would. As far as the safety of rubbing alcohol is concerned, one has to take into account the flammability of these sprays. Alcohol is highly flammable and it is best to inform all residents of the building where such a bed bug treatment is in progress. Additionally, alcohol can be highly abrasive on certain surfaces and fabrics, so you must ensure avoiding its use on them.
70% alcohol vs. 91% rubbing alcohol for killing bed bugs
Salient features of 70% alcohol for bed bugs– Less expensive, readily available, safer flammability levels. On the downside, they are more prone to evaporation if the bottle is left uncapped.
Salient features of 91% isopropyl alcohol– This dries faster on account of their lower water content, and the rate of evaporation will not change the concentration of alcohol in the sprays. Also, they are known to be a lot kinder on certain surfaces and materials.
Where to buy 91% rubbing alcohol to kill bed bugs?
Unfortunately, it is harder to find a store carrying the 91% Isopropyl alcohol than it is to find the ones that carry the 70% bed bug rubbing alcohol sprays. That being said, a bit of online research can help you obtain these higher concentration bed bug sprays. Do note that products containing 91% alcohol are usually more expensive than those available at lower concentrations.
How to get rid of bed bugs using alcohol
Vacuum the house completely. Make sure you cover all areas under the beds, behind the furniture etc. Take care to include curtains, upholstered living room furniture etc. Dispose off the vacuum bags far from home.
Purchase large sized bottles of rubbing alcohol or ethanol bed bug sprays. Many stores sell rubbing alcohol by the gallons. You can use empty spray bottles to fill up with rubbing alcohol to conveniently use throughout the house.
Remove all bed clothing, sheets, pillow cases etc and seal them inside plastic trash bags. Before sealing, liberally spray these items with rubbing alcohol sprays. This will kill eggs, larvae and adult bed bugs and also deter new bed bug eggs.
For very large infestations, bag all items, clothing and linen from every room and spray them with the bed bugs rubbing alcohol spray. Seal these items during the process of treatment.
Wipe down the furniture including the box springs and headboards as well as electronic goods with wipes pre-treated with rubbing alcohol. You can also liberally spray 91% rubbing alcohol all over. This will get rid of eggs and larvae hiding in cracks and crevices of each room.
To keep bed bugs from biting you when following the bed bug rubbing alcohol treatment, you can even spray yourself from head to toe with the alcohol before sleeping at night. This will protect you from new bed bug bites. In the meantime, the isopropyl rubbing alcohol sprayed around the house will repel bed bugs on contact. Make sure you avoid smoking or using fires around the sprayed regions.
Experts recommend combining the rubbing alcohol bed bug treatment with steam cleaning as this can greatly improve one’s chances of getting rid of bed bugs completely.
When using the rubbing alcohol bed bug treatment, make sure that the bugs actually come in contact with the spray. Also, it might seem that the treatment is working but it is still better to repeat it every 14 days. This will ensure getting rid of newly hatched bed bug eggs and kill all the pests once and for all.
Word of warning, please read the safety instructions on the bottle. If you’re spraying your bed and linens, you should do so in a well-ventilated area – outside would be better. Rubbing alcohol contains poison and shouldn’t be inhaled. If you experience breathing difficulty after cleaning, be sure to consult your medical practitioner immediately.
www.bedbugsbites.net/bed-bugs-and-alcohol-how-to-use-alcohol-to-kill-bed-bugs/
