If you have found bed bugs in your home, you are likely in a panic. Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to kill because they hide in deep cracks and crevices, and their eggs are immune to most standard bug sprays. If you buy the wrong product, you will waste money and the infestation will only get worse.
To actually eliminate bed bugs, you need a combination of a residual spray for surfaces, a dust for wall voids, and a steamer for mattresses. Standard foggers (bug bombs) do not work and will only scatter the bed bugs deeper into the walls.
We have researched the top-rated options to find the best bed bug sprays on the market. For a complete overview of identifying, trapping, and treating them, see our Complete Bed Bug Control Guide.
Quick Comparison: Top 3 Bed Bug Sprays
- Best Overall: Crossfire Bed Bug Concentrate
- Best Ready-to-Use: Bedlam Plus Bed Bug Aerosol
- Best Natural Option: Proof Bed Bug Spray
1. Crossfire Bed Bug Concentrate (Best Overall)
If you talk to professional exterminators, Crossfire is the gold standard. It is one of the few products on the market that kills bed bugs resistant to other chemicals. It contains three active ingredients that attack the bed bug’s nervous system, and it leaves a residual that keeps killing for up to 30 days. It is odorless and non-staining.
The Catch: It is a concentrate that must be mixed with water, so you will need a pump sprayer to apply it. It is also highly toxic to cats and fish, so you must be extremely careful if you have pets.
2. Bedlam Plus Bed Bug Aerosol (Best Ready-to-Use)
If you don’t want to mix chemicals, Bedlam Plus is the best aerosol on the market. It uses a dual-action formula that kills adult bed bugs on contact and includes an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) to stop eggs from hatching. It is specifically designed to be sprayed on mattresses, box springs, and upholstered furniture.
The Catch: It is more expensive than concentrates, and you need to let it dry completely before using the furniture again. It also has a slight chemical smell during application.
3. Proof Bed Bug Spray (Best Natural Option)
If you have pets or small children and want to avoid harsh chemicals, Proof is the best natural spray on the market. It uses a formula of cold-pressed neem oil that kills bed bugs on contact and disrupts their reproductive cycle. It is safe to use on mattresses and bedding.
The Catch: Natural oils evaporate, so Proof does not have the long-lasting residual effect of chemical sprays. You will need to reapply it frequently until the infestation is gone.
What Does NOT Work for Bed Bugs
Do not waste your money on these products or methods:
- Bug Bombs (Foggers): These only kill bed bugs on the surface. The fog cannot penetrate mattresses or wall voids, and it will actually scatter the bed bugs deeper into the room, making them harder to kill.
- Rubbing Alcohol: While alcohol kills bed bugs on contact, it evaporates instantly and has no residual effect. It is also a fire hazard.
- Diatomaceous Earth (DE) alone: DE is a great addition to a treatment plan, but it takes weeks to kill a bed bug. It cannot stop an active infestation on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to kill bed bugs?
Heat is the fastest way to kill bed bugs and their eggs. Professional heat treatments raise the temperature of the entire room to lethal levels. For DIY, using a steam cleaner on mattresses and baseboards kills bed bugs on contact.
How long does it take to get rid of bed bugs?
With a consistent treatment plan (spraying, dusting, and steaming), you can usually eliminate a bed bug infestation in 4 to 6 weeks. This is because the eggs hatch about 10 days after treatment, and you need to treat again to kill the new nymphs.
Can I use bed bug spray on my mattress?
Only use sprays that are explicitly labeled for use on mattresses (like Bedlam Plus). Never use a general-purpose outdoor bug spray on your bed.
Conclusion
To eliminate bed bugs, you must use the right combination of products. By using a professional-grade spray like Crossfire for the baseboards, Bedlam Plus for the mattress, and a steam cleaner for the carpets, you can break the life cycle and get your home back.