The Best Bed Bug Spray Options of 2022 – Top Picks by Bob Vila – Bob Vila

Bed bugs (cimex lectularius) are tiny insects that feed on human blood, hiding in blankets, sheets, mattresses, and more. Bed bugs can also migrate to infest all areas of the house where you and your family hang out, leaving itchy, swollen bumps at the site of a bite.

The best bed bug spray typically uses active ingredients ranging from powerful insecticides like pyrethrin, pyrethroid, imidacloprid, and acetamiprid to pet- and child-friendly geranium oil and clove oil. If you want to rid your home of bed bugs of all life stages, read on for shopping tips and the most effective bed bug sprays available in their respective categories.

Bed bug spray can control and even eradicate infestations, but they can come with harmful levels of toxicitynot to mention strong chemical odorsthat require vacating the area until the spray clears.

Sprays are generally water- or oil-based formulas, the former of which could possibly damage electronics, documents, and wooden surfaces if used in excess. Oil-based sprays can stain whatever theyre applied to, and often leave a sticky residue, though thats typically removable with soap and water.

To avoid these issues with sprays, some folks plagued by bed bugs try alternative measures. These include steam cleaning and washing items in hot water, as exposure to temperatures of 185 degrees Fahrenheit kills bed bugs.

Diatomaceous eartha silica-rich powder made from the sediment of fossilized algaecan be employed to banish bed bugs by destroying their exoskeleton. There are also traps designed to lure and eliminate bed bugs. You may wish to consider the preventive measures and treatments below before reaching for a bed bug spray.

If the DIY treatments and the sprays described here fail to kill the bed bugs, then you may need to hire a professional exterminator to deal with the infestation.

Dont just grab the best-looking bed bug spray available. A flashy logo on packaging might draw attention, but the ingredients inside, application method, and longevity matter most when choosing a bed bug spray. You should also consider whether the bed bug sprays work on contact to immediately kill bed bugs or if its a residual treatment that kills slowly to increase poison transmission to other adult bed bugs and bed bug eggs.

Bed bug sprays are generally split into two types: Contact bed bug spray and residual bed bug spray.

Its necessary to determine the ingredients of a bed bug spray so that you know what the potential dangers are to you and your family, as well as the effects of the spray on the bed bugs. Common bed bug spray ingredients include pyrethrins and pyrethroids, desiccants, cold pressed neem oil, chlorfenapyr, neonicotinoids, and insect growth regulators.

Typically, bed bug spray is relatively easy to use. The most important step is to carefully read the instructions from the manufacturer before you start spraying to ensure it is safe to use on bedding, as well as any other precautions and recommendations.

Typically, you simply spray the product in common locations where the bed bugs travel, like cracks and crevices, then leave it for a few hours to several weeks, depending on the longevity of the spray. If you have a mild bed bug treatment that is safe for use on pillows, bed sheets, and mattresses, then apply the spray to the bed, allowing several hours for the bed bug spray to work.

Keep in mind that bed bugs can also hide in cracks and crevices in the headboard, footboard, rails, support slats, box spring, and any drawers that your bed may have. Additionally, bed bugs are likely to flee a toxic environment, so make sure you have enough spray to treat the entire room. If you are concerned about bed bugs in the walls, floor, or ceiling, consider using a bed bug fogger to ensure the chemical treatment seeps into all the narrow gaps, nooks, and crannies in the room.

After application, the bed bug spray will begin to work. When a bed bug comes in contact with the spray it is either immediately affected by contact killers or it may spread the treatment to other bed bugs if it was a residual killer. The longevity of a bed bug spray is not an indication of how long it will take to kill, but how long it remains active after application.

On average, a bed bug spray will remain effective for about 2 weeks after application, as long as it is not washed, rinsed, or otherwise disturbed. Some bed bug sprays can even last for up to 16 weeks, ensuring that the treated areas continue to control the bed bug population for up to 4 months. Always check the longevity of a product before investing in an easy bed bug spray.

We selected some of the best bed bug sprays in their respective categories based on high customer approval, overall efficacy, availability, and popularity.

Photo: amazon.com

The HARRIS bed bug spray is a powerful spray designed to be used on cracks, crevices, furniture, closets, wall moldings, mattress seams, bed frames, and almost anywhere else a bed bug could hide, without leaving behind stains and odors or damaging fabrics.

The chemical spray kills bed bugs on contact with imidacloprid, n-Octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide, and phenothrin. It continues to treat the infestation for up to 16 weeks, even eliminating bugs and eggs that are resistant to traditional pyrethroid insecticides. While this product is EPA approved for use in your home and around pets, it should not be used on your clothing, pillows, or bedding. Always follow label directions to ensure safe use.

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Get the HARRIS bed bug spray at Amazon, Walmart, and The Home Depot.

Photo: amazon.com

While other sprays can damage a mattress bedding and other fabrics, Bedlam Plus Bed Bug Aerosol Spray, with its water-based formula, can be used on all fabrics, wood furniture, and carpets to kill bed bugs and their eggs. This dual-action chemical treatment that includes imidacloprid can kill pyrethroid-resistant infestations, destroying bugs on initial contact and remaining active for up to 2 weeks.

Its safe to spray on every part of the bed, behind wall fixtures and on the carpet or hardwood floor without concern. The spray is non-irritating to humans and common pets, but should never be used in a food preparation area or around consumable food and beverages, as its unsafe to ingest the spray.

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Get the Bedlam Plus bed bug spray on Amazon and at Walmart.

Photo: amazon.com

Hot Shot Bed Bug Killer is an affordable bed bug spray that treats infestations in every part of the bed, upholstered furniture, luggage, baseboards, and carpets. The water-based imiprothrin and lambda-cyhalothrin formula kills bed bugs, bed bug eggs, and fleas on contact, but needs to be reapplied every 2 weeks if infestations persist in problem areas.

The spray leaves no oily residue or stains behind and theres no noxious chemical odor. However, because the spray also kills fleas, the manufacturer specifically states that the spray must not be used on pets due to its harmful toxins. If the dog or cat comes down with fleas, see the veterinarian for an approved product to treat them.

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Get the Hot Shot bed bug spray on Amazon and at Walmart.

Photo: amazon.com

MDXconcepts Natural Organic Bed Bug Killer is safe for the environment and all members of your household. The bed bug spray uses a natural, 100 percent plant-derived formula to instantly kill bed bugs on contact. The active ingredients, peppermint oil and spearmint oil, effectively treat bed bug infestations, imparting a fresh, pleasant scent.

This bed bug spray can be used on all moisture-safe surfaces and items, including mattresses, baseboards, and carpets, without staining or leaving an oily residue. Repeat treatment per the manufacturers directions until the infestation is eliminated.

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Get the MDXconcepts bed bug spray at Walmart.

Photo: amazon.com

If more than one insect species has invaded a space, JT Eaton Oil-Based Bed Bug Spray is a broad-spectrum solution that targets multiple pests, including bed bugs and their eggs, fleas, brown dog ticks, silverfish, spiders, carpet beetles, and some roaches.

It relies on a pyrethrin and piperonyl butoxide formula and can be sprayed on all bed parts, baseboards, and flooring to kill on contact. It may leave an oily residue if too much is used, and its harmful to both humans and pets, so be sure to follow manufacturer directions exactly to ensure your safety.

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Get the JT Eaton bed bug spray on Amazon and at Walmart.

Photo: amazon.com

This efficient bed bug spray uses three different active ingredientsdinotefuran, pyriproxyfen, and pralethrinto quickly and effectively treat all stages of bed bug infestations and can be effective on pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs. Despite its impressive results, PT Alpine Flea and Bed Bug Killer is rated for use on all areas of your bed, including your mattress, pillows, and other bed coverings.

Its specially formulated to avoid drenching fabrics and it dries quickly so that you wont need to air out the house for too longbut it does have a chemical smell characteristic of powerful insecticides. Use a respirator mask during application and follow manufacturer recommendations for reentry.

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Get the PT Alpine bed bug spray on Amazon and at Walmart.

Photo: amazon.com

Bed bugs in upholstery can be tricky to treat because they hide in the folds and stitches of furniture. Fortunately, Ortho Home Defense Max Bed Bug Killer outsmarts the insects with a unique battery-powered application wand. It delivers multiple spray patterns for precise application and a finger trigger for continuous spraying.

This odorless bed bug spray, which relies on bifenthrin, imidacloprid, and piperonyl butoxide, can be used once every 2 weeks on bed frames, couches, chairs, and baseboards to kill pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs, bed bug eggs, fleas, and ticks. It should not be used on mattress bedding, clothing, or pillows, however, and the manufacturers treatment instructions must be followed for best results and to ensure safety.

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Get the Ortho bed bug spray at Amazon, Walmart, and The Home Depot.

Photo: amazon.com

HARRIS 5-Minute Bed Bug Foaming Spray is best for use in baseboards, cracks, crevices, bed frames, box springs, and wall moldings thanks to a unique formula that expands into these areas, eliminating hidden nests within 5 minutes of contact. The spray continues working for a month before needing to be reapplied if bed bugs persist.

This spray relies on metofluthrin, clothianidin, and piperonyl butoxide to kill pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs in all stages of life. The foaming spray is non-staining and odorless, allowing it to be used all over the home without concern for residual stains, and it turns clear when it dries. While the EPA has approved the product for use on the entire mattress, the manufacturer recommends bed linens not be treated with this product.

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Get the HARRIS bed bug foaming spray on Amazon and at Walmart.

For long-lasting bed bug control, HARRIS bed bug spray reliably treats bed bug populations for up to 16 weeks. However, if you are concerned about the treatment irritating or affecting you, your family, and any pets, then its better to opt for the more mild treatment of MGK Bedlam Plus bed bug spray.

One problem currently affecting the bed bug extermination industry is that many populations of bed bugs have become resistant to pyrethrins and pyrethroids. So, during the selection of products, it was necessary to keep this in mind and look for top-quality options that could deal with pyrethroid-resistant infestations.

Extensive research into the ingredients, longevity, application, and effect of each bed bug spray was necessary in order to determine the top options for this list. The best bed bug sprays treat infestations while causing minimal disruption to the daily life of users and their family. Additionally, both natural and chemical bed bug sprays were selected to provide a range of treatment options.

Take a look at the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about bed bugs, bed bug treatments, and how to deal with bed bug infestations.

There are many reasons bed bugs might find their way into your home, but the most common cause of bed bugs is travel. The insects get into your luggage and clothing from hotel or motel beds, allowing them to infest your home if they are not killed immediately, which is why its a good idea to spray your luggage outdoors as soon as you get home, and then wash all contents of the bag.

Yes, you can sleep on a bed that is infested with bed bugs, but expect to wake up to itchy, red bite marks. You wont even feel the bed bug bite or them feeding for up to 10 minutes due to a numbing agent in the bite of the insect, but the evidence will be there in the morning.

Professional exterminators can use a range of options to kill bed bugs, like heat treatment, foggers, powders, and sprays. Common professional bed bug sprays will contain pyrethroids, pyrethrins, imidacloprid, piperonyl butoxide, bifenthrin, or lambda-cyhalothrin.

If you suspect that bed bugs may be hiding, then you can use a hair dryer to increase the heat over the suspected area to force the bed bugs to come out of hiding. Hold the dryer about 3 to 4 inches away and move it back and forth across the area for about 30 seconds to a minute.

The best way to permanently get rid of bed bugs is thorough repetition and diligence. Wash and dry clothes, bedding, and other linens at temperatures of at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit to kill bed bugs in the laundry. Vacuum regularly to suck up bed bugs from the carpet and make sure to immediately seal and throw out the vacuum bag.

If you have items that cannot be heated up enough to kill the bed bugs, consider freezing these items for at least 4 days straight to ensure they are bed bug-free. You will also need to regularly inspect the home and treat with a bed bug spray as necessary.

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The Best Bed Bug Spray Options of 2022 - Top Picks by Bob Vila - Bob Vila