Bed bugs aren’t the end of the world, but no one wants their ugly sight, musty odor, or painful bites in their lives. Unfortunately, the longer they remain untreated, the worse things will get and the more products you’ll have to use at once.
So, infestations sound scary and overwhelming, which is why we had to write an informative article on the subject and compile a comprehensive list of the best bed bug pesticides. If that sounds interesting to you, continue reading.
At a Glance:
- Safer Brand Diatomaceous Earth -Best Diatomaceous Earth-based Powder
- Ortho Home Defense Max – Best for Upholstery
- Harris Black Label – Best Bed Bug Spray
- MDXconcepts – Best Organic Option
- Rockwell Cimexa Dust Insecticide CXID032 – Best Silica-based Dust Powder
- Harris Bed Bug Traps – Best Glue Trap
- Bedlam Plus – Best for Mattresses
7 Best Bed Bug Pesticides On Amazon
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7 Best Bed Bug Pesticides
There are plenty of pesticides that specifically target bed bugs and the like on the market right now. But, unfortunately, the average homeowner may lose sight of what works best for them with so many different formulas and ingredients. So, here are the best products to kill bed bugs and all their details.
1. Safer Brand Diatomaceous Earth – Best Diatomaceous Earth-Based Powder
The Safer Brand Diatomaceous Earth Bed Bug Killer is the go-to product to kill bed bugs wherever they go, no matter what they’re resistant to, all while being chemical-free. Needless to say, it’s our top choice.
As a powder formula that solely relies on an earth-based mineral, this excellent product checks all the boxes that most bed bug sprays fail to do.
Firstly, it’s free of chemicals, making it safe to use around pets and children. You can also use it on all kinds of surfaces inside and outside the house, such as mattresses, bed seams, bed frames, exterior windows, and entryways. The fact that it’s free of chemicals makes it ideal for targeting pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs, as well.
Secondly, it can get rid of bed bugs and their eggs, even the ones you can’t even see. Since bed bugs usually hide in infested rooms, a powder that you can sprinkle in all nooks and crannies couldn’t be more helpful.
Thirdly, the powder is non-staining and odorless, which is more than most bed bug killers say.
What’s specifically unique about this organic insect control treatment is that it’s 100% diatomaceous earth. As a result, it’s a powder that’s soft to humans but ruthless to bed bugs, penetrating the insect’s exoskeleton and dehydrating it through ingestion. This dual-action eliminates bed bugs within 48 hours. Even better, the powder remains effective as long as it’s left dry.
There’s only one downside to this product, which is that, like many powders, it can be harmful when inhaled.
Pros:
- Eliminates bed bugs within 48 hours
- Dual-action formula that kills by dehydration and penetration
- No chance of resistance
- Works indoors and outdoors
- Non-staining powder that’s safe for pets and children
- Safe to use on all surfaces, including mattresses
- Gets into the tiniest areas
Cons:
- Problematic when inhaled
Final Verdict
The Safer Brand Diatomaceous Earth Bed Bug Killer is the leading pesticide for bed bugs, organic or chemical. It’s safe, non-staining, versatile, invasive to small crevices, and long-lasting.
2. Ortho Home Defense Max – Best for Upholstery
The Ortho Home Defense Max Bed Bug Killer is a must-have if you have upholstered furniture that’s infested or used furniture that’s suspected to be infested.
The bed bug spray is the second step in an entire three-step solution system for bed bugs, which is an excellent idea for homeowners looking for some profound pest control.
It kills all pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs and their eggs, making it stronger than traditional sprays that waste your time and money by not including adequate chemical classes to be effective against pesky pests.
Moreover, it’s a bed bug spray that stands out the most among other bed bug sprays. Its interesting battery-powered application wand ensures more consistent performance than pump and aerosol sprays. This peculiar wand is the key to getting into the trickiest places for spot treatment, a priceless quality in a spray that gets into the folds and stitches of your furniture.
It’s also beneficial if you’re targeting bed frames, baseboards, carpet edges, mattress seams, or tufts. The Ortho Home Defense Max Bed Bug Killer has multiple spray patterns that get it done. It works by spraying directly on the bed bugs or where they hide, killing them in more than one way. It’s powerful enough to keep you protected for two weeks before you need to reapply.
If you want to tackle bed bugs on a budget, you’ll like how affordable this one-gallon spray is.
That being said, these chemicals kill bed bugs at a price. The spray has a chemical odor that you wouldn’t like to be around. In addition, it only becomes safe for children and pets after it dries.
Pros:
- Kills pyrethroid-resistant bugs and eggs
- Comes with a wand to spot treat hard-to-reach areas
- Kills directly and indirectly
- Relatively affordable
- Part of a three-step bed bug solution system
Cons:
- Has a chemical odor
- Not safe for pets and children
Final Verdict
Thanks to its battery-powered application wand, the Ortho Home Defense Max Bed Bug Killer is the ideal bed bug pesticide for precise spot treatment of upholstered furniture and mattresses.
3. Harris Black Label – Best Bed Bug Spray
The Harris Black Label Bed Bug Killer is the best bed bug spray that spares you from having to call a pest control company. It kills bed bugs fast and lasts for months, making it our favorite spray for bed bugs.
Harris is the oldest EPA-registered company in the pest control industry, so it is no surprise that it produced the perfect spray.
The spray kills bed bugs while being odorless and leaving no stains behind, making it cleaner to use than many counterparts. Fortunately, you can use it on box springs, wall moldings, wallpaper and carpet edges, furniture, and so much.
More importantly, it kills those stubborn pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs that other sprays struggle to kill, thanks to working with the right ingredients. In fact, it’s intense that it remains effective for up to 16 weeks, which is more than enough to kill each bed bug in its hiding place.
Since Harris is one of the most affordable pest control product brands, you won’t have to worry about the price.
However, similar to other chemical sprays, it’s only safe for pets and children when it dries down.
Pros:
- Kills pyrethroid-resistant bugs and eggs
- Relatively affordable
- Lasts for up to 16 weeks
- Odorless and non-staining spray
Cons:
- Not safe for pets and children
Final Verdict
The Harris Black Label Bed Bug Killer has everything that you want from a bed bug spray. It’s budget-friendly, long-lasting, strong, and comes from a reputable brand.
4. MDXconcepts – Best Organic Option
The MDXconcepts Bed Bug Killer is the perfect alternative to chemical bed bug sprays that don’t leave you worrying about your family and pets.
Many homeowners are rightfully worried about the number of harsh chemicals used in bed beg pesticides. But, while everyone wants these pesky bugs dead, nobody wants any harm to happen to their own family.
So, the organic pest control spray comes in handy here. It replaces harmful chemicals with essential oils, namely peppermint and spearmint oil. It also kills pests and bed bug eggs and proved its efficiency on stubborn bed bugs resistant to chemicals since it doesn’t have any. The best part is that you can reapply it whenever you want since it has no side effects on anything except bed bugs.
Unlike other bed bug sprays that have a horrible smell or are odorless at the finest, this one has a pleasant smell, creating a fresh and clean scent in the place while killing the pests as well.
As beautiful as it is, it’s notably less budget-friendly compared to other sprays for bed bugs. Yet, it’s definitely worth it.
Pros:
- 100% free of chemicals
- Depends on peppermint and spearmint oil
- Has a pleasant smell
Cons:
- Not the most affordable spray
Final Verdict
The MDXconcepts Bed Bug Killer is the most effective chemical-free spray for bed bugs. It’s safe for everyone and even smells nice.
5. Rockwell Cimexa Dust Insecticide CXID032 – Best Silica-Based Dust Powder
The Rockwell Cimexa Dust Insecticide CXID032 is the best silica-based dust for killing bed bugs. It’s an alternative to our first choice if earth-based powders aren’t what you’re looking for.
As a powder, the Cimexa Insecticide Dust gets into all the places that the best bed bug sprays can’t reach, such as cracks, crevices, attics, voids, and pet rest areas. It’s even safe for mattresses and carpets, as well.
The silica powder kills bed bug adults and nymphs by causing rapid dehydration that destroys the insect’s waxy cuticles.
If you can’t afford to hire a pest control professional, this silica powder is a unique DIY solution with the longest-lasting powers for up to 10 years. Not even pest control companies can protect you from bed bugs for a whole decade.
As impressive as this powder is, it still has its downsides. Since it has a powder formula, the tiny particles can be problematic for some when inhaled. In addition, some people are allergic to silica, which means that they’ll have to look elsewhere for a safe pesticide.
Pros:
- Most long-lasting powder, for up to 10 years
- Gets into the tiniest areas
- Safe to use on all surfaces, including mattresses
Cons:
- Problematic when inhaled
- Some people may be allergic to silica
Final Verdict
The Rockwell Cimexa Dust Insecticide CXID032 is the supreme silica insecticide dust that lasts for up to a decade and can be used on anything anywhere.
6. Harris Bed Bug Traps – Best Glue Trap
The Harris Bed Bug Traps is the ideal glue trap to include in a whole system for killing bed bugs. There’s no better way to trick bed bugs into thinking that they’re the boss.
During the first stages of identifying and tackling an infestation, you need a delicious trap to lure in and eliminate bed bugs immediately. So, all you have to do is place it where bed bugs may crawl, such as near bedposts and headboards.
One of the glue trap’s most significant advantages is that it has no chemicals, so it’s safe for everyone except the bed bugs that will walk right into it.
Nonetheless, the trap has two disadvantages. Firstly, while it effectively kills nymphs and adult bed bugs, it doesn’t affect the eggs since they can’t walk into traps. Secondly, it can’t be the only product you use for fighting an infestation.
Pros:
- Lures in and kills bed bugs
- Free of chemicals.
Cons:
- Doesn’t affect bed bug eggs
- Not to be used alone
Final Verdict
The Harris Bed Bug Traps is the easiest way to lure these pesky pests into their death, making this infestation their final one.
7. Bedlam Plus – Best Aerosol Spray for Mattresses
The Bedlam Plus is the optimal bed bug spray that’s safe for all surfaces, including mattresses, which is a quality that most bed bug sprays lack.
Its water-based formula enables it to be safe on all kinds of surfaces without staining. So, go ahead and spray it on mattresses, carpeting, ceramic, wood furniture, fabrics, and everything else. It’s even strong enough to kill bed bugs that are resistant to hell itself, with a lasting power of up to two weeks.
The only downside that this bed bug spray has is that it’s not budget-friendly. However, if you want to keep your mattress safe the next time it’s infested, you may need to consider raising your budget.
Pros:
- Safe to use on all surfaces, including mattresses, carpeting, and wood furniture
- Non-staining water-based spray
- Kills pyrethroid-resistant bugs
Cons:
- Not cost-effective
Final Verdict
The Bedlam Plus is one of the safest bed bug sprays on the market. Feel free to spray it on mattresses and all other surfaces without worrying about staining them.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Bed Bug Pesticides
While it’s tempting to buy the next bed bug treatment that you find, it’s better to decide on careful considerations. So, here are a few features and properties to keep in mind the next time you buy something to fight bed bug infestations.
Active Ingredients
When it comes to bed bug sprays, the most commonly used pest control type, the products’ ingredients rely on count; therefore, reading the label is crucial.
For example, many bed bug populations have become resistant to pyrethrin and pyrethroids because of how common they are in bed bug sprays. So, it’s critical to choose sprays that combine them with other chemical classes that bed bugs aren’t immune to.
Natural bed bug sprays depend on essential oils, such as peppermint and neem oil to kill bed bugs. They’re safe in your household but may not be as effective as their chemical counterparts.
On the other hand, powders rely on a mineral-based active ingredient to slowly but surely kill these pesky pests.
Uses and Properties
Before buying any product to fight a bed bug infestation, ask yourself exactly what you’ll use it on. Where have you noticed the bed bug activity? Are they on an entire mattress, bed frames, bed linens, stuffed animals, upholstered furniture, behind wallpaper, or somewhere else?
The reason why it’s an important question to ask is because not every product is safe or suitable for use on every type of surface.
For example, if a mattress, carpet, or fabric is infested, you only use a mattress-safe bed bug spray to treat it because many bed bug sprays leave a stain behind. Powders can treat bed bugs in tight cracks and crevices better than any other treatment.
Plus, some chemical treatments only work when you spray them directly on a bed bug, while others can suffocate it from a distance, even when it’s hiding.
If you want to prevent bed bugs from re-infesting an area that’s frequented by bed bugs and dust mites, foggers may be the ideal choice. However, each product tells you how long it lasts and how fast it works, so keep that in mind.
Many homeowners want non-toxic alternatives to chemical treatments, so they’ll probably like glue traps and natural bed bug sprays to be the most comfortable to use. Glue traps need to be placed strategically under furniture and bedding to trap bed bugs where they crawl up to surfaces.
Types and Formulas of Pesticides for Bed Bug Control
The most important feature to consider when buying a bed bug treatment is the type since they come in different types and formulas.
Sprays
Bed bug sprays are the most popular type. They’re either water-based or oil-based. Go for the water-based sprays if you don’t want any stains on softer surfaces. Yet, if you don’t want to damage documents, electronics, and wooden surfaces by continuous spraying, you will need an oil-based bedbug spray.
However, the oil-based type will leave a stain or sticky residue behind, but it’s not the end of the world; you can easily fix that with a little bit of soapy water.
Some people don’t want to use a chemical spray containing harsh chemicals in their homes or find out that bed bugs have grown resistant to them, which is why natural organic bed bug sprays exist. They depend on essential oils rather than chemicals. So, they’re great for killing bed bugs around pets and children.
Foggers
Foggers, also known as bug bombs, work similarly to bed bug sprays because they’re also insecticide aerosol. However, instead of spraying directly on specific locations, you leave the fogger in a central spot indoors, and it’ll emit a fog-like cloud that gets rid of bed bugs, even those in their hiding place, making it more potent than a bed bug spray.
Furthermore, foggers are powerful and effective because they contain insect growth regulators that prevent bed bugs from developing into the adult stage, immediately stunting the insect’s development. They also inhibit bed bug infestation from reoccurring for months to come.
Since fogging is such an effective chemical treatment, it’s not safe to be around it. Unfortunately, this means that you’ll have to vacate the infested rooms immediately after activating the fogger. Therefore, it’s essential to use it cautiously and read the label before buying a fogger to know what’s up.
Powder or Dust
Moreover, bed bug sprays and foggers aren’t the only types of DIY bed bug control. Powders or dust play a vital role in treating bed bug infestations. Insecticide dust works by dehydrating and penetrating bed bugs’ exoskeletons, leaving them no chance to survive. You mostly sprinkle these powders into cracks, crevices, and corners of the infested room.
They come in boric acid, fumed silica, and other types. While powders are considered a natural bed bug treatment, some people may be allergic to them, so it’s best to check if it’s safe to use around the entire household.
Glue Traps
When households are infested with nymph and adult bed bugs, a handy way to trap and kill them is a glue trap.
It’s an old-school bed bug treatment that’s been proven successful because bed bugs can’t fly; they have to get to the top of the bed by climbing the bed frames, box springs, bed posts, legs, and so on. So, by strategically placing these traps where bed bugs prefer to climb, you’ll be able to kill them.
That being said, glue traps don’t kill bed bugs as fast as bed bug sprays or dust. So they need a little bit of patience. In addition, glue traps do not affect eggs; they can only kill insects that can walk. Since female bed bugs lay eggs after every blood meal, you’ll have plenty of eggs to deal with some other way.
How Do You Get Rid of Bed Bugs Permanently?
The most effective way of killing bed bugs is a collaboration between different treatments, not just one. Each treatment targets a particular type of area or surface and becomes effective for a certain period. A variety of bed bug products also ensures that you kill bed bugs at different life stages. So instead of overdoing it with one product, each pest control product should target a certain area.
In addition, there are additional steps that you do at home to completely get rid of bed bugs and go back to having a squeaky clean home. The most efficient treatment is a comprehensive routine of numerous steps.
Identify and Prepare
After identifying bed bugs and their eggs, write down or remember exactly where you found them. They leave behind dark or rusty spots, musty odor, blood stains, fecal spots, and eggshells.
The first step in handling the bed bug infestation is to contain it by removing any clutter that may hinder getting rid of bed bugs. However, you should remember not to move an infested item into a clean area because that’ll be counterproductive.
Of course, you’ll wash any infested clothes, bed linens, and fabrics in hot soapy water and dry them. Then, get a stiff brush and go to town on the mattress seams to remove as many bed bugs as possible.
Next, it’s time to vacuum the mattress, bed, electronics, furniture, and any other infested area that you could vacuum. Don’t forget to use the proper vacuum attachment to vacuum cracks and crevices wherever they may be. When you’re done, take out the vacuum bag, place it in an enclosed plastic bag, and dispose of it outside immediately.
Grab the vacuumed items, seal them up in bug-proof covers, and remove them from the infested areas. Anything that’s infested beyond rescue should be thrown out at this point.
Kill Bed Bugs
While decluttering and cleanup are necessary for dealing with a bed bug infestation, there’s no killing them without products and treatments that are meant to eradicate bed bug populations.
At this point, you can use extreme temperatures to your advantage. Steam cleaning, heating, or freezing items infested with bed bugs have proven effective, but these methods take time and may not get rid of bed bugs altogether.
Nonetheless, they’ll help eliminate bed bugs on items that can’t be washed, dried, or chemically treated, such as books, shoes, jewelry, and pictures.
The next step would be a bed bug spray to attack the bed bugs that you see directly. However, note that many bed bug sprays depend on active ingredients that bed bugs have grown resistant to, such as pyrethrin and pyrethroid. In that case, get a bed bug spray that explicitly tells you that it works for these immune bed bugs, as it properly utilizes different chemical classes into one product.
You can also get a natural bed bug spray that replaces the harsh chemicals you don’t want near your family with plant oil-based ingredients, such as peppermint oil, geranium oil, soybean oil, cedarwood oil, clove oil, and neem oil. The child and pet-friendly nature of non-toxic sprays allow you to spray anywhere without a worry, although chemical insecticides are more effective.
However, since bed bugs prefer to hide, your bed bug spray will need some help. Enter powders. They kill the bed bugs that you can’t even see, which is why you should sprinkle them where bed bugs hide, especially in tight corners and inaccessible places. While they work slightly slower than sprays, they’re better as bed bugs can’t resist them.
Finally, to cover an entire room that’s been plagued with a bed bug problem, a fogger or bed bug bomb can finish the job with a bang, no pun intended. While previous methods have probably killed most bed bugs, a fogger will emit a cloud that suffocates most bed bugs in an indoor area. Don’t forget to use it when nobody’s around, as its fumes are harmful to humans and pets.
Monitor and Retreat
Most beginners will probably think that the job is done by now. While this is theoretically correct, you should ensure that you haven’t missed a bed bug or two, as one female bed bug is enough to start another bed bug infestation.
So you need to monitor the infested areas to ensure that there aren’t any live bugs or eggs here and there. Bed bug interceptors may come in handy at that stage. If you found proof that they’re still around, it’s time to retreat the area with the ideal product. Then, wait about a week and monitor the site, and so on.
If the bed bugs persist after a long period to the point that you can’t do it yourself anymore, call a pest control company as a final resort. The biggest advantage of hiring pest control companies is that they’re equipped with everything and will get rid of bed bugs much faster.
Finally, dispose of the dead bed bugs and enjoy a pest-free home.
How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of Bed Bugs?
It depends on how long your house has been infested, the size of the infested area, and how severe the level of the infestation is. However, the average range is anywhere between four to six weeks. Severe infestations can take anywhere from months up to a year.
On average, to serious infestations that last for a few weeks, you’ll probably need to reapply treatments to ensure that all bed bugs and eggs have been eradicated.
7 Best Bed Bug Pesticides On Amazon
Last update on 2024-03-28 at 10:05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, our article on tackling bed bug infestation and the best products to kill bed bugs has provided you with enough armor for your battle against the most annoying pests. Here’s a recap of our list.
The Safer Brand Diatomaceous Earth Bed Bug Killer is our top choice because it checks all boxes among chemical and natural sprays and insecticide dust.
Our second suggestion is the Ortho Home Defense Max Bed Bug Killer because its wand helps you get into the details of your upholstered furniture pieces.
Finally, Harris Black Label Bed Bug Killer is the perfect spray that’s strong, long-lasting, and affordable.
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