We researched dozens of the top bed bug sprays and powders available online, evaluating effectiveness, ease of use, formulation, and value. Our best overall pick, the Ortho Home Defense Max Bed Bug Killer, is an effective solution that targets bed bugs, fleas, and ticks and comes with a wand for easy application. Here are the best bed bug sprays. The Ortho Home Defense Max Bed Bug Killer is our best overall choice for treating the earliest signs of bed bugs in your home. This product stands apart from others for its low price and effectiveness. Its battery-operated wand sprays more evenly than other methods, allowing you to cover hard-to-reach areas like curtain edges, behind mattresses, and under furniture. When you’re ready to apply it, this stain-free, unscented spray is easy to use and doesn’t linger, and can be sprayed directly on bugs or in spaces where their eggs may be. It kills on contact, so make sure to clear the room before using it since it can be harmful if ingested by pets or children. This product works for up to two weeks on bed bugs, fleas, and ticks (including pyrethroid-resistant bugs). One thing to note is that while the wand design is key to this product’s usability, it’s best to read the instructions thoroughly to get the best results with the correct application. Price at time of publish: $23 While Harris Pyrethroid Resistant Bed Bug Killer is available by the gallon, order the convenient 32-ounce spray bottle to keep handy and spritz bed bugs at first sight. As with most bed bug products, this spray is most effective when used in conjunction with thorough cleaning and multiple treatment options. Price at time of publish: $27 For long-term control, it’s hard to beat CimeXa’s staying power—simply apply the powder, keep it dry, and it can keep working for up to 10 years. A suggested usage is to take a paintbrush and apply a thin layer along baseboards or in cracks and crevices where bed bug activity has been noticed. You’ll only need a little because the fine particles of silicon dust will attach to passing bed bugs using electrostatic charge. Price at time of publish: $15 While the Eco Defense Bed Bug Killer is an effective, natural bed bug spray, it only kills on contact and doesn’t have residual effects. So for serious infestations, best results are seen when this product is used along with other treatment methods. Price at time of publish: $60 A common question is whether you can spray the entire surface of your bed with this bed bug spray for mattresses. The answer is yes, but you don’t necessarily need to. Because bed bugs prefer to hide rather than be exposed in the open, they’re most likely to be live and breed in enclosed spaces and crevices. For that reason, it’s recommended to spray Bedlam Plus along the tufts, seams, and folds of your mattress. Price at time of publish: $29 You’ll still need to eradicate any bed bugs and eggs from your mattress or furniture, and it’s also suggested to move furniture away from the walls to prevent bed bugs from accessing your bed by another route. But for a few dollars, the Trapper Max Glue Boards are super sticky and will collect any bed bugs that are trying to make their way to your mattress. Price at time of publish: $7 This travel-size bed bug spray comes in a convenient 2-ounce bottle that will easily pass TSA-safety requirements and won’t take up a lot of space in your luggage. It has a cinnamon scent that’s a nice contrast to some of the harsher smelling travel bed bug sprays available. Use the Rest Easy Bed Bug Spray to treat mattresses and furniture when you’re traveling. While it isn’t designed to treat a home infestation, it can create a barrier that will keep you from picking up bed bugs when you travel. It is a great idea to use this bed bug spray for luggage also.
Use
Most bed bug sprays can be used on a variety of surfaces. But if you have a specific application in mind, then look for a formula and applicator that are best suited for your purpose. Bed bug sprays are generally designed to be used in treating the nest site, along with baseboards, furniture, draperies, and other places the insects may be hiding. Bed bug sprays for mattresses are also popular. It’s worth noting that many of these formulas can also be used on other furnishings as well, but not all bed bug sprays can be used on mattresses due to the potency of various insecticides.
Ingredients
To get the upper hand on a bed bug infestation, most sprays are formulated with powerful insecticides, such as pyrethroids. You should always take precautions to protect children and pets. Natural bed bug sprays exist as well, using the power of plant oils such as geranium oil. But be forewarned that a bed bug infestation can be very hard to eradicate without the help of insecticides. Most bed bug sprays are safe for use on general household objects, but you should read the label for any warnings or indicators of possible staining. It’s especially important to note whether a specific spray is safe for use on items that you will be in very close contact with for an extended period of time, including mattresses, bedding, or clothing. Not all insecticides are considered safe for such purposes.
