Bed bugs are some of the most common house bugs homeowners come across, and they’re notoriously hard to get rid of. While some homeowners opt for professional pest control companies to handle their bed bug problems, others prefer DIY pest control methods, such as using Raid spray. This begs the question, “Does Raid spray kill bed bugs?” Some Raid users claim that it kills bed bugs instantly, while others claim it doesn’t do anything. As it turns out, both groups are partly right.
The main reason Raid doesn’t always work is that you need to follow directions exactly for it to be effective. Both Raid Bed Bug Foaming Spray and Bedlam Plus Aerosol Spray advertise that they can kill bed bugs and their eggs, but customers have mixed reviews on how well they work and how long the treatment lasts. Read on to learn more about insecticides and compare Raid to some of the best bed bug sprays on the market. Remember, if you’re looking to get rid of bed bugs, hiring a professional pest control expert is the best way to do it. Get a free quote from two of the best pest control companies in the industry below.
4.6
Over 90 years of experience
Nationwide service area
Free retreatments if pests return
4.7
Treats 20 types of pests
Offers instant online quotes
30-day money-back guarantee
Do Pesticides Work Against Bed Bugs?
Many bed bug killer manufacturers advertise that their products will kill bugs on contact, which simply isn’t true. Any chemical strong enough to kill bugs instantly would also be strong enough to harm people on the spot. Rather, these pesticides begin killing bed bugs when they come into contact with them. The actual killing process can take some time. Also, for bed bug control to work correctly, you need to spray every square inch of your house with a pesticide. Otherwise, there will be areas where bed bugs can roam freely, unharmed.
Another crucial thing to remember is that some pesticides can’t kill bed bug eggs. Many insecticides can’t penetrate the shells of bed bug eggs, so they aren’t able to kill them. Unless you kill the eggs, bed bugs will keep coming back. Some brands, like Raid and Bedlam Plus, advertise that their sprays will kill bed bugs as well as their eggs, but you’ll still need to spray repeatedly for best results.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are tiny, blood-sucking insects that normally live on or around beds, hence their name. They’re small, reddish-brown insects with flat, oval bodies. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, bed bugs aren’t known to spread diseases, but they can leave itchy bites.
What Is the Bed Bug Life Cycle?
The life cycle of bed bugs is pretty straightforward. After mating, the females begin laying eggs in protected areas such as cracks and crevices in your home. Each female bed bug lays between 200 and 250 eggs during her life, averaging about five eggs per day. After six to 10 days, the eggs hatch. About a month later, the hatchlings will be fully grown and ready to mate. Then, the cycle starts all over again.
Pesticide Active and Inactive Ingredients
Many different pesticide brands contain similar active ingredients (the part of the product that does the actual killing of the pests). This is true for both Raid and Bedlam Plus, two leading names in the pest control industry. Like many products, Raid and Bedlam Plus contain much more inactive, or “other,” ingredients than active ingredients. These other ingredients preserve the active ingredients, protect them from environmental degradation, help them stick to the surface they were sprayed on, shield them from UV damage, and activate them.
The other ingredients make the biggest difference in terms of a pesticide’s overall performance and how long it keeps working (residual effects). That’s why the results from using Raid as opposed to Bedlam Plus can be very different.
Which Is Better: Raid or Bedlam Plus?
In most situations, Raid Bed Bug Foaming Spray is the better bed bug treatment. The biggest difference between Raid and Bedlam Plus is in their residual effects. Raid Bed Bug Foaming Spray advertises that it keeps killing bed bugs for up to four weeks on surfaces. Some users spray Raid every week or two for better results.
However, Bedlam Plus advertises that it has residual effects for up to 16 weeks on ceramic (nonporous) surfaces. Still, many pest professionals and users recommend spraying Bedlam Plus once every two weeks.
How To Use Bed Bug Sprays
Whether you’re using Raid or Bedlam Plus sprays, you’ll need to follow some steps to get rid of bed bugs. For other forms of pesticides, you may need to use a pesticide sprayer or fogger. These are general steps, so if your can of bed bug spray instructs you differently, follow those instructions instead.
Start by targeting areas where bed bugs hide, then spray the following:
- All the baseboards and floorboards in the house
- The entire frame of every bed
- The seams of all the mattresses and pillows
- The box springs, box spring seams, and headboards
- Inside and outside every drawer in the bedrooms
- All the door hinges and closets
- The blinds in the windows and all the cracks and crevices in the windows
- Around all the electrical sockets
- Every inch of rugs and carpets
It’s worth noting that for rugs and carpets, spot treatment won’t be enough. If you want your Raid spray to be effective, you need to spray the entire surface area. You may also want to consider vacuuming frequently. Once you’ve finished spraying, keep an eye out for bed bugs over the following weeks. You’ll probably need to reapply Raid for it to be effective against bed bugs.
How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of Bed Bugs?
Because bed bug eggs may keep hatching after you spray, you’ll need to respray for at least eight weeks. Raid Bed Bug Foaming Spray advertises that it lasts for up to four weeks, but some users say they spray every two weeks for better effectiveness. With Bedlam Plus Aerosol Spray, you should spray every two weeks over the same eight-week period.
Spraying repeatedly will ensure that you kill all the eggs, hatched or not, so they can’t mature and begin laying more eggs. Bed bugs can survive for weeks at a time between meals, so make sure you complete the entire eight-week course of treatment.
So, Does Raid Spray Kill Bed Bugs?
While Raid spray can technically kill bed bugs, it’s not the best method for getting rid of them. Instead, I recommend hiring a pest control professional or exterminator to handle your bed bug infestation. These pros have the tools and know-how to quickly and effectively kill bed bugs in your home. Do you have bed bugs and think you might need professional help with your bed bug problem? If so, use the form below to connect with local pest control experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I avoid bringing bed bugs home from a hotel?
One of the best ways to avoid bringing bed bugs home is to inspect the room before sleeping. If you don’t see any bed bugs, that’s a good sign. Additionally, you can spray your luggage with Raid or another pesticide before you come home from your trip as a precautionary measure.
Can bed bugs jump or fly?
Bed bugs can’t jump or fly, but they can crawl very fast. Even though they’re not as mobile as other insects, they can still spread rapidly.
How quickly do bed bugs spread?
Bed bugs can travel several feet in a few minutes. This means they can travel throughout your whole house in a matter of hours, so it’s best to act quickly at the first sign of bed bugs.
Are bed bug bites dangerous?
Bed bug bites are generally not dangerous because bed bugs don’t carry diseases. However, the bites can be itchy and make people lose sleep or have allergic reactions. While these are small risks, they’re still important to look out for.
