A bed bug infestation can be a nightmare. The good news is that, other than giving you sleepless nights and itchy bites, bed bugs aren't likely to cause severe harm. However, that doesn't mean they'd be good bedmates, and you should take steps to eradicate them the moment you find out you have a problem. To deal with an infestation, bed bug sprays can help.
Bed bug sprays contain powerful insecticides to eradicate infestations, but using them requires caution. That's why we've compiled everything you need to know in our handy buying guide, along with the 10 best and most effective bed bug sprays in the UK available from Amazon, Wilko and More!
Bed bugs are tiny critters that live in fabrics such as mattresses, beds, furniture, clothing, or other personal belongings. They feed on human blood, which is why a telltale sign of an infestation is waking up with red, itchy, and sometimes painful swollen bites. Another sign to look for are blood spots or small brown spots on surfaces (bed bug faeces).
If you think you have bed bugs, the first step is to remove all bedding and check for signs of excrement on the mattress, bed frames, and the surrounding area. Next, wash all the fabrics at a high temperature (60°C) and put them in the tumble drier as heat will kill them. Dry cleaning can also help to get rid of bed bugs.
Deep clean the bed and surrounding areas, paying attention to cracks and crevices where bed bugs may hide. If it's a minor infestation, applying bed bug spray to the mattress, bed and affected areas is essential to completely eradicate them and prevent them from coming back. If your mattress is heavily infested, cover it with plastic and dispose of it to contain the infestation, or call in professional help.
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Pyrethrins (cypermethrin and tetramethrin) are a group of synthetic variants of pyrethrum, a natural insecticide found in chrysanthemum flowers which can be used to eradicate a number of household pests. When a pest ingests or comes into contact with these substances, it shuts down their central nervous system, causing paralysis and eventually death.
Applied properly and left to dry completely for 30 minutes to an hour, cypermethrin is safe to use around pets and children. Nevertheless, it can't be ingested and may cause irritation if it gets on the skin. Most sprays will also emit a pungent odour. Therefore, we advise that you wear protective gear such as a mask, gloves and goggles, and always follow the instructions in order to use the insecticide safely.
For a completely chemical-free insecticide, go for a bed bug spray that uses natural ingredients, such as essential oils and herbal extracts. Bed bugs are naturally weak against clove leaf, cedarwood, lemongrass and peppermint, which repel and prevent them from returning.
Another benefit of natural sprays is that they don't leave a pungent, chemical smell. Instead, it usually leaves behind a lovely fragrance due to the oils used in the formula. On the downside, when it comes to managing a full-blown outbreak, natural formulas may not be as effective because they do not contain chemical insecticides.
If the infestation is too severe to treat and you need a new mattress, you can browse our favourite memory foam mattresses here!
As they contain powerful insecticides, bed bug sprays should always be used with caution. Although most are safe to use on household objects, always check the label for any cautions or indicators, such as possible staining. You may be in very close contact with the spray for an extended period of time, so it is important to find out whether the solution is safe and effective to use on the surfaces you want to treat.
Bed bug sprays are generally designed to kill the insects upon contact and treat the nest site along with surrounding areas in which insects may be hiding. However, although sprays for soft furnishings are popular, not all formulas can be used on mattresses due to the potency of various insecticides.
Before making your purchase, make sure to check whether it is suitable and safe for the task at hand. If you have a specific application in mind, look for a formula that will be effective in treating that particular area. Additionally, opt for a non-staining formula to prevent damage to surfaces and furniture.
Add another layer of protection to your mattress with a mattress protector!
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() Zero In | 2 ![]() Karlsten | 3 ![]() CritterKill | 4 ![]() Xterminate | 5 ![]() RepellShield | 6 ![]() NOPE! | 7 ![]() Ready Steady Gro | 8 ![]() Agro C+ | 9 ![]() PestShield | 10 ![]() SEGMINISMART |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Bed Bug and Dust Mite Killer | Bug and Insect Destroyer | Bed Bug Killer Spray | Protector C Bed Bug Spray | Natural Bed Bug Spray | CP Bed Bug Killer Spray | Natural Bed Bug Killer Spray | Advanced Insect Killer | Indoor Bed Bug Treatment Spray | Mite Spray |
Features | Treats and Prevents Infestations for up to 12 Months or More | Fast-Acting, Mattress-Friendly Solution That Forms a Protective Shield for 6 Weeks | Value for Money With Guaranteed Results | A Professional Strength Formula That’s Safe for Use at Home | A Natural and Non-toxic Solution to Eliminate Bed Bugs | Professional-Grade Insecticide Approved for Use on Mattresses, Sofas and Carpets | Plant-Based Peppermint and Lemongrass Oil to Naturally Repel Bed Bugs | Odourless, Stainless, and Effective Against Most Pests | Tetramethrin Kills off Bed Bugs on Contact Without Leaving a Pungent Odour | A Safe Herbal Formula to Treat Bed Bugs |
Price | £5.99 | £13.95 | £28.99 | £12.95 | £12.99 | £11.99 | £12.99 | £23.99 | £7.17 | £15.99 |
Insecticides | 1-r-transphenothrin and tetramethrin. | Cypermetherin | Cypermethrin & natural Pyrethrum | Cypermethrin | Clove leaf, cedarwood and peppermint essential oils | Cypermethrin | Peppermint oil and lemongrass oil | Cypermethrin | Tetramethrin | Mint, sophora flavescens, lemongrass, wild chrysanthemum, artemisia argyi |
Suitable For | Mattresses, beds and household furniture | Any surface including mattresses | Any surface but not for use on clothing or bedding | Carpets, curtains, mattresses, upholstery, bed frames, skirting boards and other hard and soft furnishings | Any surface including mattresses, sofas, carpets, and furniture. | Hard and soft furnishings including mattresses, carpets, and sofas | Any | Hard and soft furnishings, hard nonporous surfaces | Carpets, skirting boards, bed heads | Any surface including mattresses, clothing, toys, pets, or pet litter |
Non-Staining | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | Yes |
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This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
300 ml
£5.99
Insecticides | 1-r-transphenothrin and tetramethrin. |
---|---|
Suitable For | Mattresses, beds and household furniture |
Non-Staining | - |
500 ml
£13.95
Insecticides | Cypermetherin |
---|---|
Suitable For | Any surface including mattresses |
Non-Staining | - |
£28.99
Insecticides | Cypermethrin & natural Pyrethrum |
---|---|
Suitable For | Any surface but not for use on clothing or bedding |
Non-Staining | Yes |
£12.95
Insecticides | Cypermethrin |
---|---|
Suitable For | Carpets, curtains, mattresses, upholstery, bed frames, skirting boards and other hard and soft furnishings |
Non-Staining | Yes |
£12.99
Insecticides | Clove leaf, cedarwood and peppermint essential oils |
---|---|
Suitable For | Any surface including mattresses, sofas, carpets, and furniture. |
Non-Staining | Yes |
500 ml
£11.99
Insecticides | Cypermethrin |
---|---|
Suitable For | Hard and soft furnishings including mattresses, carpets, and sofas |
Non-Staining | Yes |
200 ml
£12.99
Insecticides | Peppermint oil and lemongrass oil |
---|---|
Suitable For | Any |
Non-Staining | Yes |
5 L
£23.99
Insecticides | Cypermethrin |
---|---|
Suitable For | Hard and soft furnishings, hard nonporous surfaces |
Non-Staining | Yes |
3 x 200 ml
£7.17
Insecticides | Tetramethrin |
---|---|
Suitable For | Carpets, skirting boards, bed heads |
Non-Staining | - |
100 ml
£15.99
Insecticides | Mint, sophora flavescens, lemongrass, wild chrysanthemum, artemisia argyi |
---|---|
Suitable For | Any surface including mattresses, clothing, toys, pets, or pet litter |
Non-Staining | Yes |
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