8 Best Bed Bug Sprays: These bugs suck. Get rid of them with these sprays.

Bed bugs are nasty business. These little bloodsuckers can make their way into any home by simply grabbing onto a pant leg, jacket hem, or suitcase zipper. If that bed bug happens to be fertilized, she can be well on her way to starting a bed bug infestation within the first few days. It’s important to get ahead of these pests, and the best bed bug spray can help.

But there is more to choosing a bed bug spray than grabbing the first product in a fancy package. To help, we put together the following list of our favorite choices so you no longer have to ask, “what’s the best bed bug spray?”

Best Bed Bug Sprays

Best Overall: EcoRaider Bed Bug Killer Spray
Value Pick: Harris Toughest Bed Bug Killer
Best for Travel: EcoRaider Bed Bug Killer Spray 16 Oz
Best for Home: Bed Bug & Mite Killer Spray by Premo Guard
Best for Skin: Cedarcide Original (Gallon) Cedar Oil Insect Repellent 
Best Natural: Ecologic Bed Bug Killer 64 Ounces
Longest Lasting: Raid Max Bed Bug Extended Protection
Also Consider: Harris Bed Bug Killer, Diatomaceous Earth Powder

Best Bed Bug Sprays

The following list of products may contain the best bed bug spray for your needs. Be sure to keep the need-to-know information in mind before you choose your best option for bed bug treatments.

Note: Many of the following anti bed bug spray products are capable of handling multiple species of bugs. It’s not uncommon to find “bed bug flea and tick killer” sprays, and for folks on a budget, these products can make sense.

1. Best Overall: EcoRaider Bed Bug Killer Spray

Type: Combination contact and residual
Active ingredient: Cedar oil, geraniol, sodium lauryl sulfate

If you’re looking for a top-notch bedbug spray that not only kills bed bugs, but is also derived from natural ingredients, check out EcoRaider Bed Bug Killer Spray (now known as EcoVenger). This naturally derived botanical oil-based liquid bed bug killer kills all stages of bed bugs, including adults, nymphs, and any bed bug egg that may be around. It interrupts their neuron system, paralyzing and killing them.

This bed bug spray is also non-toxic and safe, allowing users to spray it anywhere, including their mattress and box spring. It lasts for up to 14 days, so although it’s expensive compared to some other products, it offers both protection and peace of mind.

Pros

• Eco-friendly, plant-based formula for a more natural approach to bed bug control
• Can be applied to mattresses and bedding without concern, allowing users to feel protected while they sleep
• Lasts for up to 14 days, giving users enough firepower to handle most bed bug infestations

Cons

• It’s expensive

2. Value Pick: Harris Toughest Bed Bug Killer

Type: Combination contact and residual
Active ingredient: Phenoxybenzyl, methylprop cyclopropane carboxylate, octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide

We know there are a ton of letters in the ingredients’ names, but Harris’s Toughest Bed Bug Killer is designed for pyrethroid resistant bed bugs, or strains of bed bugs that are resistant to traditional treatment. And while it’s not the most eco-friendly bed bug spray option, it does pack a lot of punch for its price point. And while we prefer to buy ours from Amazon, Harris Bed Bug Killer is one of the top bed bug spray Walmart generally keeps in stock (find it here).

This bed bug eliminator can knock bed bugs down instantly, but it’s also effective over the long term. For its price, it offers 16 weeks of residual protection, and it’s effective against bed bug eggs, nymphs, and adult bed bugs. It’s also odorless and non-staining. However, it’s important to realize that this product is not designed for use on humans or animals, and it’s critical to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Pros

• Affordable price point, allowing budget-minded folks to protect their homes without breaking the bank
• Offers up to 16 weeks of protection so residual protection, allowing users to treat their homes and forget about their issue
• Effective against all stages of bed bugs that have grown resistant to other treatment methods

Cons

• Not environmentally safe and it’s not for use on humans or pets

3. Best for Travel: EcoRaider Bed Bug Killer Spray 16 Oz

Type: Combination contact and residual
Active ingredient: Cedar oil, geraniol, sodium lauryl sulfate

Our top pick for travel is EcoRaider’s Bed Bug Spray in a 16-ounce bottle. Yes, this is the same exact formula as our top pick, but the fact that it comes in a small bottle that someone could pack in a bag for an overnight hotel stay is a huge plus. While it’s not quite small enough to make it through airport security, it can provide users with a bit of peace of mind when they’re in a new hotel room.  

This bed bug spray product uses cedar oil, geraniol, and sodium lauryl sulfate to offer an eco-friendly approach to bed bug killing. And, because it’s fast-acting against all stages of bed bugs, users can treat their sheets, mattress, bed, and even their own clothes with it before heading to bed. 

Pros

• Compact size is great for any travel that doesn’t involve airplanes
• Eco-friendly formulas containing natural oils like cedar and geraniol
• Can apply to bedding and clothing without worrying about whether it’s safe 

Cons

• It won’t make it through airport security

4. Best for Home: Bed Bug & Mite Killer Spray by Premo Guard

Type: Combination contact and residual
Active ingredient: Sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium chloride, citric acid

Premo Guard’s Bed Bug and Mite Killer could be the solution homeowners are looking for. This bed bug spray contains sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium chloride, and citric acid, killing bugs immediately but also providing residual protection (but there isn’t a fresh scent to enjoy—it’s scent-free). Since it’s safe, non-toxic, and all-natural, it’s great for spraying around the home.

This bed bug spray is eco-friendly and won’t stain. In fact, users can use it in their laundry to treat their sheets for increased protection, and it can also be used as a household cleaner. Do note that users can’t apply this spray to their skin, but if it’s used according to the manufacturer’s instructions, it’s safe to use around the house.

Pros

• Made from natural products to provide some eco-friendly peace of mind
• Can be used as a household cleaner or in laundry to help boost protection
• Safe to use on fabrics, and it’s safe for use in homes with kids and pets

Con

• No fresh scent to enjoy

5. Best for Skin: Cedarcide Original (Gallon) Cedar Oil Insect Repellent 

Type: Residual
Active: Cedarwood oil, soybean oil 

Folks looking for skin-safe bed bug spray that can kill and repel need to give Cedarcide Original Cedar Oil Insect Repellent some thought. This product is safe enough to apply directly to your skin (avoiding your eyes and mouth), as well as on dogs, cats, horses, and other animals, as well as furniture, flooring, countertops, fabrics, and more. Users can apply it to their bed, pillows, and mattress, but also to their skin and clothes for a great night’s sleep.

This residual-type product contains cedarwood oil and soybean oil. It not only repels bed bugs and other pests, but it also kills them if sprayed. However, understand that this product is extremely expensive so it’s best used as a residual bed bug prevention spray.

Pros

• Safe to apply directly to skin, allowing users dealing with a bed bug problem to safeguard not only their bed but also their bodies
• Safe for pets, home goods, fabrics, and other surfaces, allowing for a one-product approach for a variety of different bugs
• Offers residual protection for several days while being eco-friendly and natural

Cons

• It’s really expensive

6. Best Natural: Ecologic Bed Bug Killer 64 Ounces

Type: Combination contract and residual
Active ingredient: Lemongrass oil, cornmint oil

Ecologic’s philosophy is to be as transparent as possible, listing all of its products’ ingredients right out in the open. Their eco-friendly Ecologic Bed Bug Killer spray is no exception, as it’s one of the top natural bed bug sprays available. It contains lemongrass oil and cornmint oil, allowing this product to be safe enough for the environment (though it needs to be used according to the instructions) while also killing bugs on contact and up to two weeks after application (that’s a relatively short window, though). 

This affordable bed bug spray kills pyrethroid resistant bed bugs, or the bed bug strains that are resistant to typical treatment. It’s safe around children and pets if used according to the manufacturer’s instructions, as well. Folks can treat baseboards, floorboards, headboards, carpet edges, walls, mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and luggage with one product. 

Pros

• Made from lemongrass oil and cornmint oil, making it an eco-friendly product for killing bed bugs
• Affordable for folks who don’t have the cash for a pest control company
• Effective bed bug spray works on a variety of surfaces including beds, floors, baseboard, nightstands, and many more places

Cons

• Residual effect window (two weeks) is relatively short

7. Longest Lasting: Raid Max Bed Bug Extended Protection

Type: Residual
Active ingredient: Phenoxy Benzyl dimethyl cyclopropane carboxylate, octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide, imidacloprid

If you’re finally done reading this bed bug spray’s ingredients, let’s cut Raid some slack on this one. If you want a bed bug insecticide to last as long as Max Bed Bug Extended Protection (up to 8 weeks), it might take some chemical names that are hard to pronounce. However, with 8 weeks of protection, you won’t have to pronounce them often.

This bed bug spray from Raid works on all bed bugs, including adults, nymphs, and bed bug eggs. It even works for the tougher stains of pyrethroid resistant bed bugs, or the bugs that are used to traditional treatments. It’s suitable for a variety of surfaces, including fabrics, mattresses, and other areas, but it really shines on hard surfaces where it can last as long as possible (it won’t last 8 weeks on a carpet or mattress).

Pros

• Long-lasting bed bug insecticide formula gives users up to 8 weeks of treatment for bed bugs
• Works on all types of bed bugs, including adults, nymphs, bed bug eggs, and insecticide-resistant bed bugs.
• Effective bed bug spray is safe for a variety of surfaces including hardwood and laminate floors, as well as fabrics

Cons

• Won’t last as long on carpets, mattresses, or furniture

8. Also Consider: Harris Bed Bug Killer, Diatomaceous Earth Powder

Type: Residual
Active ingredient: Diatomaceous earth

No, it’s not a spray, but for folks who’d like an additional approach to the bed bug battle, Harris’ Bed Bug Killer Diatomaceous Earth Powder could be it. This residual powder can kill bugs that interact with it within 48 hours, yet it’s safe for children and pets. It even comes with a powder duster that makes applying a thin film of DE powder to cracks and crevices a breeze.

Here’s the best part about Harris’ Bed Bug Killer Diatomaceous Earth Powder: It’s effective for weeks after application if it’s kept dry. It also works for many species including the common bed bug, fleas, ants, silverfish, and cockroaches. 

Pros

• Residual product kills bugs that interact with it within 48 hours
• Comes with a duster to make applying a thin film to cracks and crevices easier
• Works for weeks after application as long as it’s kept dry
• Works as a bed bug and flea killer

Cons

• It’s not a liquid spray

How We Chose These Products

Choosing the best bed bug sprays was important to us. We know how frustrated readers are feeling with their bed bug infestations, so we wanted to ensure that whatever products we were suggesting were actually top-notch. So, we called upon all of our pest control experience to think of all the important features and facets we needed from a bed bug spray.

Once we knew what to look for, we started researching every product we could find that we thought would meet our needs. We compared their ingredients, their efficacy, their price points, and their longevity so we could ensure that whatever products we suggested offered real value. If they didn’t offer value, we toss them aside. 

What are bed bugs?

After learning about which bed bug sprays are the best for the job, it’s helpful to learn a little bit about them. These small bloodsuckers have been a hot topic of conversation for years now, but very few folks actually understand them or know what they look like.

Description

Bed bugs are small, oval, brownish insects with six legs, and they do not fly or jump. For reference, adult bed bugs look similar to apple seeds in both shape and size. However, nymphs tend to be clear in coloring and almost too small for the naked eye to see. When these bugs feed, whether adult or nymph, they become rounder and their coloring changes to a deep red. 

Bed bugs live solely on blood meal (drinking blood from humans or animals). It’s believed that humans first came into contact with bed bugs thousands of years ago, when mankind was still sharing caves with bats. The bed bugs would feed on the bats but eventually found humans were a better meal. Humans have dealt with bed bugs ever since. 

Life cycle

Bed bugs start their lives as eggs laid in tight quarters: cracks of moldings and bedframes, along mattress seams, and even in suitcases. Eggs can hatch in as little as 6 days, which allows infestations to grow quickly.

The immature bugs that emerge from the eggs are nymphs. They’re almost too small for the human eye to see, and they start feeding immediately. They feed because they need the energy to complete the required five stages of molting until they become sexually mature adults. This can happen in as little as five weeks. 

Mature bed bugs feed about once each week, coming out at night, biting their host, and draining their blood for 5 to 10 minutes. After they feed, male bed bugs attack female bed bugs and forcibly impregnate them by puncturing the females’ right sides with their reproductive organs. To be honest with you, this aspect of bed bug life is really quite sad, and these two researchers from Virginia Tech can shed more light on the topic. 

Once fertilized, the female bed bug will lay 1 to 5 eggs each day, producing up to 500 eggs in her lifetime. This life cycle carries on for several months until the bed bug dies. 

Threat

Believe it or not, bed bugs aren’t nearly as dangerous as folks make them out to be. Like chiggers (which are often mistaken for bed bugs), their bites don’t hurt. They will likely itch after the bed bugs are done feeding, but as long as the host doesn’t scratch themselves enough to create an infection, the bite marks will go away. 

Also, according to the CDC, bed bugs aren’t known to spread disease. Unlike mosquitoes and biting midges, these bugs are unable to transmit pathogens. 

This is not to say that bed bugs are altogether harmless. Their bites can become very uncomfortable. And the fear of being bitten overnight can cause insomnia, while a bed bug infestation can actually cause anemia. For that reason, it’s important to use a bed bug spray or other treatment to get rid of them ASAP.

How we get them

We love to blame hotel rooms and dirty neighbors, but the reality is that bed bugs are everywhere. We can get them on a public bus, on a restaurant bench, in a daycare center, or anywhere else people congregate. All it takes is bumping into the wrong person for a bed bug to latch on, and the rest is history. 

Bed bugs can be especially prevalent in winter. This is for several reasons, including kids hanging up winter jackets next to each other at school and vacations involving hotel stays in warmer climates.

Also, these pests can infest clean homes just as easily as dirty homes, with the exception being that cluttered spaces are easy for them to hide in. There are certain bed bug sprays that can actually be used as household cleaners, adding a level of protection.

What To Know About Bed Bug Sprays

Don’t just grab the first bed bug bomb Home Depot has on sale off the shelf. The following points are the things you need to consider before purchasing a bed bug spray for your home. 

Bed Bug Spray Types

There are essentially two types of liquid bed bug sprays, and they include contact and residual sprays. Contact sprays are perfect for individual bed bug eradication or small infestations, as they kill the bugs within a matter of seconds. However, they aren’t as long-lasting as residual bed bug sprays, which take longer to kill the bed bug, allowing them to spread the poison to others.

Neither of these bed bug spray types is superior to the other. In fact, the best bed bug solution is to use both of these types of sprays in conjunction with one another to ensure all angles are covered.

Active Ingredients

Each bed bug killer product will contain one, two, or three active ingredients that do the actual killing. Which type of active ingredient depends on the bed bug spray, but the following are the most common types. 

• Chlorfenapyr: Chlorfenapyr is a chemical insecticide that kills many different types of bugs, including bed bugs. It’s actually a pro-insecticide, which means that it’s primarily inactive until digested, at which point it kills the insect from within by disrupting the bed bug’s nervous system.
• Pyrethrins and pyrethroids: These chemicals come from chrysanthemum flowers, and they’re effective at killing most insects (including bed bugs) in indoor settings. They attack bugs’ central nervous systems, causing the system to shut down, resulting in paralysis and death.
• Desiccants: Desiccants are powders that contain sharp particles, and these particles break down bed bugs’ exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate and die. Products in the desiccant world include diatomaceous earth and boric acid.
• Cold Pressed Neem Oil: Neem oil is pressed from the fruits and seeds of the neem tree, and it’s an effective bug repellent and killer. Products containing neem oil can be effective against bed bugs, but typically only when it comes in direct contact with the bug or a small infestation.
• Neonicotinoids: Neonicotinoids contain synthetic nicotine, and it overstimulates bug nicotinic receptors. The nerves start firing faster and faster until complete overload occurs, and the bug’s body shuts down. 
• Insect Growth Inhibitors (IGRs): Insect Growth Regulators do exactly as they sound: stop bugs from growing. They either prevent bugs from reaching sexual maturity, or they prevent the bug from molting effectively and dying. These can be very effective for bed bugs over time, but aren’t helpful for immediate results.
• Natural Insecticides: Believe it or not, there are some natural remedies for these nasty little bloodsuckers. Carefully-designed formulas that include cedar, lavender, peppermint, and other natural oils can be effective at not only repelling bed bugs but also killing them on contact. 

There are many, many more active ingredient types than those listed above. Also, there are strains of pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs that are able to withstand traditional attacks. Be sure to check for a product that can handle these bugs, as well. Also, remember that there are products that work for multiple species, such as a bed bug flea spray that will work just as well for fleas as they will these bloodsuckers.

How To Use Bed Bug Sprays

One of the appeals of bed bug sprays is that they’re easy to use. However, we always stress the importance of the responsible use of insecticides, so it’s worth discussing.

First, read the bed bug spray’s manufacturer instructions to determine where you can and cannot use the spray. Bed bug sprays aren’t always safe for humans and pets, and some can stain fabrics. Some products are better for hardwood floors or baseboards, while some may be effective on mattresses and pillows.

Once you know where you can spray, there are some areas to target that typically harbor bed bugs. Use your chosen bed bug spray on areas like the mattress and its seams, the headboard, the bed rails and legs, the box spring, any slats stretching across the bed rails under the spring, the footboard, and anything underneath the frame itself. Also, spray floors underneath furniture to cover all bases.

Also, bed bugs can hide in other cracks and crevices, too. Move the bed into the center of the room and spray any baseboards and floorboards in the area, as well. If you get any spray on you, rinse skin immediately.

When the Best Bed Bug Spray Isn’t Enough

There may be bed bug infestations that are far beyond the DIYer’s ability regardless of whether they’re using the best spray to kill bed bugs. When that’s the case, it may be worth trying a bed bug steamer.

Bed bug sprays and steamers do work, but sometimes, they require a professional pest control technician’s touch. A Google search of “bed bug control near me” will reveal a slew of options.

We say this not to worry you, but if you’re having a hard time getting rid of the bed bugs around your home or apartment, it’s better to call pest control right away. These pros know how to keep bed bugs away from your home, and some even use environmentally friendly methods. They’ll know the best way to handle your bed bug issue for the best results.

Bed Bug Spray FAQS

That’s a lot of information about the best bed bug sprays, but there may be some additional questions that need answering. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions on the topic. 

Which spray is best for bed bugs?

In our opinion, EcoRaider (now EcoVenger) is the best bed bug spray. It’s eco-friendly, lasts up to 14 days, and is safe enough for mattresses and bedding.

What is the most powerful bed bug killer?

The most powerful bed bug killer in our round-up is Harris Toughest Bed Bug Killer. While it’s affordable, this product is made to kill bed bugs quickly without much care for environmental safety.

How do I permanently get rid of bed bugs?

Permanently getting rid of bed bugs requires a lifestyle change. You need to be careful about where you sit on a bus, where you lay your winter coat, where you place your suitcase, and what hotels you stay in. You also need to keep your home neat and free from clutter. These bugs are tough to shut out permanently, but folks who are diligent about them and use the best bed bug spray for their needs may be able to avoid a bed bug infestation. 

What’s good for bed bugs?

We believe that EcoRaider (now EcoVenger) is the best bed bug spray. It’s eco-friendly, lasts up to 14 days, and is safe enough for mattresses and bedding. Many sites and forums may suggest alcohol spray for bed bugs, but that can actually be extremely dangerous and can cause fires.

Do bed bug sprays work?

The best bed bug sprays work, however, there are strains of bed bugs that are resistant to typical or old-fashioned treatments. It’s important to look for products that can tackle those bed bugs as well. Also, folks often forget that bed bugs are as likely to hang out in the bed frame as they are the mattress, and if they don’t spray there, most bed bug sprays will fail.

How do you draw bed bugs out of hiding?

Heat can draw bed bugs out, and many folks use hair dryers or steamers to apply heat to areas they believe they’re hiding. 

What repels bed bugs instantly?

Certain oils can repel bed bugs instantly. They include lavender, peppermint, cedar, and lemongrass oils. 

Do bed bugs leave little black specks?

Yes, they can leave little black specks. This is likely bed bug poop, which is digested blood. This is slightly different from the large, goopier spider poop which consists of bug waste.