If you’re starting to see signs of bed bugs in your home, it’s time to take immediate action. Bed bugs are masters of hiding, yet they’ll often stay within 8 feet of their food source: humans. Bed bugs eat your blood at night, and while these bugs are not known to cause any serious health issues, we do recommend buying the best bed bug spray and taking additional control measures.
When infestations are allowed to grow, they can become uncontrollable even for the best bed bug killer.
Today we’re going to review the best products on the market in 2019 that are effective and well-reviewed. When applied properly, these products will be able to curb the infestation and allow you to live a life completely free of bed bugs.
But if they do not work, you will want to call in an exterminator.
Since a bed bug can live for up to a year, there’s little chance of these pests leaving on their own.
These products will help you deal with even the most difficult infestation.
Table of Contents
Our Top Pick: Ortho 0202510
Ortho offers the industry’s best bed bug spray. This product is non-staining, can be applied directly on the bed bugs and will require you to dampen the area to offer three-week bed bug prevention.
This product features:
- Application wand
- 1/2-gallon size
- Non-staining formula
Top 7 Best Bed Bug Killer
1. Best Bed Bug Spray: Ortho 0202510
Ortho’s 0202510 comes in a half-gallon bottle that has an easy spray wand. Even the most resistant of bed bugs are not match for this product. And when sprayed on the carpet, you’ll protect your home for two weeks at a time.
The spray offers a non-staining application, and it will kill any bed bug eggs it comes in contact with.
When spraying, make sure that the applicator is sprayed away from the body at a distance of 8 to 10 inches. You’ll want to continue spraying until the applied surface is damp. Spray in any areas that you see bed bugs, but do not spray on the following:
- Pillows
- Clothing
- Bedding
If you want to spray on these delicate items, I recommend going with one of the organic options below. Some users have effectively used this product on their mattresses, but you’ll be using an insecticide that should not come in contact with your skin.
A tip that all users have is that you’ll want to spray heavily enough so that the surface of the fabric looks damp.
When applying in crevices and corners, make sure to be very generous with your application. You need to spray enough for the spray to reach the eggs and any bed bugs that you see.
The product is unscented, so you won’t have to worry about the smell taking over your home.
- Unscented formula
- Doesn’t stain
- Lasts for up to three weeks
- Doesn’t kill fleas well
The one drawback is that this product doesn’t kill fleas as effectively as the manufacturer suggests. If you want to kill fleas, go with another product. But if you want to kill bed bugs,this is one of the best sprays that you can purchase.
2. EcoRaider
EcoRaider is very potent, and if it came in a larger size, we would have chosen this over the first Ortho product we reviewed. When you choose this product, it comes in a 16-ounce bottle and will be able to kill bed bugs quickly.
This product is so effective that it was mentioned in the Journal of Economic Entomology as the only natural bed bug killer that has a 100% efficacy.
Field tested, this product will work well to kill any bed bugs you’re dealing with. Kill eggs, adults and nymphs with one single product that is proven to work wonders. When you use EcoRaider, you’ll also be able to enjoy residual protection for up to two weeks after the product has dried.
That’s a long-lasting product.
What really impresses me about this product is that it has been tested by universities and professionals. You can see all of the tests proving that this product works, and you can safely spray your:
- Bed frame
- Headboard
- Mattress
You can safely spray this product on linens, and it will not stain. The key ingredients include Geranol, sodium lauryl sulfate, monooleate, glycerol, cedarwood oil, water and silica hydrate.
It would seem, based off of reviews and the product’s description, that this product is 100% safe around pets and children. If you’re a parent, you know just how deadly some of these harsh sprays can be.
EcoRaider keeps the harsh ingredients out of their spray so that you can confidently put an end to your bed bug infestation.
- 100% safe to use
- Highly researched and studied
- 100% efficacy
- Smell you either hate or love
A lot of consumers claim that this product has a terrible smell. But there are a lot of reviewers that also claim that this product smells great. The smell doesn’t lend to the efficacy of the product, so even if you don’t think it smells good, it will work wonders on killing bed bugs.
3. Best Powder: Harris Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is one of the most effective bug killers on the planet. It’s an organic compound that is made from fossilized algae. You can use this product for pests of all types from fleas to ants, but it’s one effective way to kill bed bugs, too.
What makes this protect even better is that it comes with a duster.
The duster is very important because you’ll be able to get DE in all of those hard-to-reach places where bed bugs hide. There are multiple size options available, too:
- 1/2-pound
- 2-pound
- 4-pound
I recommend the largest size for a home. If you live in an apartment where harsh chemicals can permeate throughout the building, DE is another great options. Since this is an organic compound, kids and animals can safely come in contact with it without any adverse side effects.
With that in mind, you would not want to have a pet eat an entire bag of this product although it will not kill them.
DE has worked even in times when the exterminator failed to kill bed bugs.
If you want to use DE on your mattress, I recommend buying a zip cover for the mattress. You’ll be sprinkling the DE on the mattress, zipping up the cover and trapping all of the bed bugs inside. This will keep the bed bugs from being able to feed and will trap them with the DE that will kill them.
Remember to remove the cover and wash it when you’re done on hot.
- 100% effective
- Comes with a duster
- Works even when extermination does not
- Messy
The only complaint I have is that powders tend to be messy. You’ll need to vacuum or clean up the powder in the future, but it will still work very well to kill bed bugs. You’ll also receive a duster so that you can apply the DE easier (a nice bonus over other powder products).
4. Best Bed Bug Trap: Harris
Harris offers the best bed bug trap, and this is an early detection trap meant to alert you when you have an infestation that needs to be properly controlled. The trap is not the best option for killing bed bugs, so I do not recommend this as your lone bed bug killer.
Pesticide-free, there are no chemicals used in this product.
The idea is simple:
- Fold the trap
- Insert the tba holding it together
- Bugs jump on the glue and get stuck
That’s it. Four traps are included, and you’ll want to place the traps at all four of your bed posts. Bed bugs will stay within 8-feet of you while you sleep, and a trap at each posts allows for the utmost in trapping power.
You can also choose to slide the trap under furniture or bed if you choose.
While effective at early detection, you will have to discard the trap and use alongside a spray or fogger. There’s no terrible smells or concerning chemicals when using this product. If you haven’t identified which infestation you have, the glue trap will be a great option for you.
- Comes in a four-pack
- Very cheap
- Offers early detection
- Not highly effective at killing infestations
One bed bug may go into the trap and others may ignore it. The trap will work to trap the bug in the glue, but it will not work on the large scale needed to get rid of an entire infestation. Keep this in mind when using this product and you will not be disappointed.
5. Most Potent: Harris Bundle
If you want to cover all of your bases, you’ll want the Harris bundle. This is the ultimate in bed bug control, and it’s like having your own exterminator on-call whenever you need them. This package has everything:
- Spray
- Glue trap
- Powder
You’ll even receive a bite relief gel which will stop the bed bug bites from itching so bad. This is the ultimate package, but it does contain pesticides which will be harmful to animals and children depending on which product you use.
The 32-ounce spray is one of the toughest in the industry and will provide 16-weeks of residual protection.
Traps can be placed at bed posts, and there’s a four-ounce bottle of powder which you can sprinkle on impacted areas to kill more bed bugs. It’s truly the ultimate bed bug killing kit, and for a serious infestation, it may be your best option.
You will pay more for this bundle than buying an individual product.
When using this product, you’ll want to use each product in a specific order. The powders, for example, will not be effective if they’re used first and then the liquid spray is applied. Powders ought to be used last, after the spray has been applied and allowed to dry properly.
There is even a spot treatment option for cracks and crevices, so you’ll be able to properly treat areas that a single product may not be able to treat.
The label does have all of the instructions listed so that you can apply your elimination and prevention methods to put an end to your bed bug infestation.
- Comes with 4 products
- Comes with bite relief
- Covers all bases
- Expensive
Again, you’re purchasing a massive bundle, and bundles cost more money. Aside from this one minor complaint, this bundle works exceptionally well and offer up to four months of residual protection. From the early stages of detection to complete eradication, this is a product bundle that does it all.
6. Best Fogger: Hot Shot 95911
Hot Shot offers a product that kills both fleas and bed bugs. This three-count pack allows you to treat three rooms with one purchase. The main ingredient in this product is Nylar which is designed to prevent insects from growing into adults.
Each can will be able to treat an area of 2,000 cubic feet unobstructed.
This means a can will be able to treat an entire master bedroom or living room with ease. You will want to read through the instructions thoroughly to ensure that you use your fogger properly. You will not want to be in the same room as the fogger, and you will need to remove all pets and children from the area, too.
Hot Shot will be able to reach common hiding places, deep inside of cracks and crevices where bed bugs hide away.
You’ll want to place the product in the middle of the room so that it is most effective.
Foggers tend to work for some people and not others. It’s very important that you thoroughly clean all of your bedding, clothes and other items or areas where bed bugs hide away. Hot water will be able to kill bed bugs.
But you have also remove any of the debris or items under your bed or in your closet where bed bugs hide.
The goal is to leave no hiding place remaining so that the fogger can reach the bed bugs and kill them effectively.
- Covers 2,000 cu. ft.
- Kills fleas and bed bugs
- Reaches into cracks and crevices
- Hit or miss with some infestations
You either love foggers or hate them. Some foggers will kill off an infestation as well as an exterminator, but other foggers will not work well. Hot Shot’s products often work well, and you have a three-pack to give the product a try in most rooms in the home.
Remember: you need to treat the entire home and use preventative measures, such as cleaning linens and other key items where bed bugs tend to hide.
7. Harris Toughest Bed Bug Killer
Harris is the last product on our list, and this is a very expensive option otherwise it would have been listed much higher on the list. This is an odorless liquid spray that is said to be the “toughest” spray against bed bugs.
And it comes in a gallon bottle, so it will be able to treat large spaces with ease.
Harris offers residual killing powder, so you can spray today and the product will continue killing bed bugs for weeks to come. The product has been designed to fight back against bed bugs that have become resistant to traditional pesticides.
Fast-acting, you can spray bed bugs directly and they will die almost instantly.
The EPA has approved this product to be used in homes with pets and people, but that doesn’t mean that anyone or animal should come in direct contact with this product.
Apply the product, and it will offer 16 weeks of residual killing power after the first application. Completely odorless, you will not be able to smell this product so long as you use it as directed.
Potent and effective, eggs will also die when they’re sprayed.
When spraying, remember to remain 8 to 10 includes from the surface. The nozzle has an “off” and “on” position to prevent accidental spraying. If you plan on using powders, be sure to spray first and allow to dry before using the powder.
You will be limited to using this product on mattress folds, edges and seams only.
- Large size allows for extended treatment area
- Spray attachment is convenient
- Offers 16 weeks of residual protection
- Can’t be used on entire mattress
The only con of this product is that it cannot be used on the entire mattress. But most sprays, aside from the organic ones we reviewed earlier, cannot be used on an entire mattress safely.
Types of Bed Bug Killers
When trying to find something to get rid of your bed bugs, you’ll come across a variety of different products. Which is best? It really all depends on your usage and your home. If you have pets or the bed bugs are all in your bed, you’ll want to use powders over some harsh sprays.
The following types of products can be found online:
How to Best Apply Bed Bug Spray
If you want to apply spray, you need to make sure that you’re doing it properly. A lot of people will use sprays directly on bed bugs to kill them instantly. You’ll want to do a few things to make sure that you’re using your spray safely and in the most effective way possible:
- Read the safety instructions or usage guidelines to prevent any injuries or mishaps when spraying.
- Always spray from a distance of 8 to 10 inches from the surface.
- Turn your face away from the spray to avoid inhaling the spray.
- Wear a mask or eye protection during an intense spray.
These sprays can be harmful to children, pregnant women and animals. You’ll want to keep the spray away from areas where pets and children may be present.
When spraying, you’ll want to be very generous with your application.
A lot of sprays will want you to spray enough to dampen the surface of a carpet. When you dampen the surface, it will allow the spray to penetrate into the carpet and kill any bed bugs that may be roaming around inside.
Reapplication is also important, so you’ll want to apply every few weeks or as directed.
Products that we recommend can last for up to three weeks on the surface of carpet or furniture. This is an exceptionally long period, and it will be the best avenue to kill off bed bugs that continue coming back.
Sometimes, you’ll notice that bed bugs have formed a resistance to the spray that you use. These sprays will be completely ineffective, and the only way around this immunity is to use another form of bed bug control or a different spray that has a different active ingredient.
If the infestation continues and you cannot seem to put an end to the bed bugs, use a fogger or other measure.