Before discussing sprays and treatments for getting rid of bed bugs, it might be helpful to learn about the little
critters.
Bed Bug Basics
Bed bugs are not something you want to have because they feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals like humans.
These tiny parasites can cause allergic symptoms, skin rashes, and even psychological issues. Though they were largely eradicated in the 1940s, they have
made a reappearance since the year 1995, most likely due to increased international travel and restrictions in use of the chemical DDT. Fortunately, using
bed bug spray helps to rid the home of these pests.
In their adult stage, these bugs are oval, wingless, flattened, and reddish-brown in color. They are usually about
four or five millimeters long and are often confused with carpet beetles and booklice. What makes them particularly troublesome is that they can survive in a
wide variety of temperatures and humidity conditions. These parasites are found almost all over the world and are able to survive in cold temperatures and
without food.
Bed
bugs can live and hide in many places but most commonly are found in beds, hence the name. These bugs use two hollow feeding tubes to pierce the skin of
their host, injecting saliva and withdrawing blood for about five minutes. Their bites can result in red itchy welts.
Amazingly enough, they can live for up to one year without feeding. A home can be infested with bed bugs carried in
on pets, luggage, or clothing. The bugs can also crawl from nearby dwellings or items that are infested, traveling through false ceilings or
ductwork.
Getting Rid of Bed Bugs
People with bed bug problems should research the types of bed bug spray available and purchase a product that can
be used to safely treat the infested area. Treat the home as soon as the issue is discovered to prevent inhabitants from getting rashes or allergic
symptoms.
Although there are several ways to get rid of bed bugs, using a good quality bed bug spray is a very cost effective
method. This is a lot cheaper than hiring a professional exterminator, who might charge over $300 for just one treatment. And they might not even guarantee
it works!
Sprays are used either directly on the bed bugs, the bed bug eggs, or in miscellaneous crevices and cracks. Even
though there are restrictions on some pesticides these days, there is still a good variety of sprays and insecticides available. For as little as five
dollars, a spray can be purchased to treat contaminated items. This spray usually contains chemicals like Permethrin and most products are safe for people
and animals. All-natural, non-pesticide sprays are available that use a blend of natural oils to kill infesting bugs and repel new ones.
There are so many products available that finding one that really does work well can become confusing. Most sprays
will be at least somewhat effective, but you want the most effective ones, and the ones that are safest for your family and pets. Not all sprays fix all
situations; each infestation can be different.
Things you will be checking for:
The spray should be affordable and easy to use.
Preferably, the spray is non-flammable.
It should kill beg bugs in all of their life stages, and kill them quickly.
The bed bug spray must be registered with the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) for your
safety.
The spray should be non-toxic so that you may use around pets and kids.
Be aware of oil-based versus water-based sprays. You will probably want water-base as it is more likely to not
be staining and therefore can be used on more surfaces.
Do you want a non-residual or residual spray? This depends on the areas you want to treat. Residual sprays
linger, so they are best used in where there will be no human contact. Non-residuals are for use in mattresses and box springs or other
furniture.
Determine if you need mattress or fabric-safe products.
Do you prefer aerosol or pump.
Different classes of insecticides are available, such as neonicotinoids, synthetic pyrethroids, acetyl
cholinesterase inhibitors, and chemicals that affect insect reproduction and growth. The most common ingredients are resmethrin, permethrin, chlorpyrifos,
propoxur, cyfluthrin, hydoprene, and fencalerate. Most of these products are available in retail and hardware stores. Read instructions for use so you know
which are safe for bedding and which are for use in crevices or other non-living areas. If you prefer the use of organics, there is a non-residual compound
called pyrethrin. This comes from an African variety of the chrysanthemum flower.
What are the brands you will find? Some of the most common brands are Pura Cleen, Phantom, Kleen Green, Bug Patrol,
Sterifab, Bedlam, Eco Friendly Living, and BestYet.
Currently, Sterifab is a consumer favorite. It can be found online and in stores. This spray is also used by some
mattress retailers, hotels, and pest control companies. If you want to spray directly on bed bugs, Bug Patrol is a good choice. It is a natural pump spray
that uses concentrated plant extracts such as clove, peppermint and coconut. It kills bed bugs on contact and tends to be a safer than other products as it
has natural ingredients. Eco Friendly Living is another good non-toxic product, which great to use if you have allergies or sensitivities to chemicals and
cleaning agents.
There are a few other things you will want to keep in mind when it comes to treating infestations after and before
use of bed bug sprays. Infested bedding needs to be thoroughly washed. Thorough vacuuming helps remove bed bugs and eggs from mattresses and carpeting. You
will then want to discard the vacuum contents carefully in a sealed bag. Pillows and mattresses themselves should be cleaned, paying extra attention to any
seams if the mattress. It is helpful to use plastic or vinyl mattress covers to prevent bed bugs from imbedding themselves in the first
place.
Do a comprehensive search online for reviews and precautions before deciding which bed bug spray to use. And
remember, bed bug spray is always best to use in well ventilated areas.
