Fifteen leading industry suppliers report on their bed bug solutions, insights and what the future holds for this industry segment and pest management professionals (PMPs).
Allergy Technologies
Joseph Latino
President
RECENT INNOVATIONS: ATAHC Plus — which targets cockroaches, rodents and other structural public nuisance pests — now complements ATAHC Bed Bug as a complete solution for comprehensive, property-wide, prevention-based pest control in affordable housing. The acronym stands for Allergy Technologies’ Total Affordable Housing Control.
ATAHC Plus uses advanced information technology (IT)-based rodent monitoring, allowing PMPs to assess activity across a complex without manually checking every bait box. When the two programs are used in conjunction, the solution is known as ATAHC Complete.
ATAHC Bed Bug has been highly successful over the past few years, largely because of its emphasis on preventive measures, including Allergy Technologies’ ActiveGuard Mattress Liners and periodic technical monitoring every 90 days. The program has been so effective that we’re now evaluating a reduction in inspection frequency to every 120 or 180 days, given the extremely low rate of reinfestation complaints.
PREDICTIONS: The ATAHC platform represents a paradigm shift toward a more effective, human-centric approach to pest control. In a world that’s becoming increasingly automated and impersonal, companies that provide genuinely personalized service will stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Our commitment to engaging with the residents and staff of affordable housing communities has enabled us to overcome one of the industry’s biggest hurdles: inaccessibility because of tenant wariness. By hiring and training residents as liaisons, we build trust through familiarity and consistent performance — a “neighbors serving neighbors” model. This relationship- and respect-based system has virtually eliminated the need for forced entries, enhancing both the effectiveness and the overall experience of our pest control solutions.
AMGUARD
Dr. Chuck Silcox
Product Development Manager
RECENT INNOVATIONS: AMGUARD’s Nuvan ProStrips and the larger-sized Nuvan ProStrips+ have proven to be valuable tools for managing bed bug infestations. They are effective against all bed bug life stages and have a mode of action (Group 1B of the Insecticide Resistance Committee, or IRAC) that controls even pyrethroid-resistant bed bug populations.
AMGUARD continues working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to improve these product labels and clarify their use directions. Both products are now classified as restricted-use pesticides (RUPs), which means they only can be purchased and used by certified applicators or persons under their direct supervision. Many recent updates on these labels resulted from questions posed by professional applicators regarding their use.
Nuvan ProStrips and Nuvan ProStrips+ may be used in an unoccupied room that is properly closed and sealed to contain product vapors. The room may be in a home, apartment, hotel, motel, school or other residential, commercial or industrial building. The labels now allow their use in hospitals to control bed bug-infested gurneys, beds, electronic equipment and other labeled items.
Both products may now be used to control bed bugs in automobiles and other modes of transportation, provided the vehicles are not in use while being treated and a certified applicator performs the treatment. Also, they now may be used in drop ceilings. Because of their smaller size, only Nuvan ProStrips now may be used to control bed bugs infesting wall voids.
PREDICTIONS: We predict the industry will continue to research and produce new and innovative ways to combat the increased resistance among bed bug populations.
Aprehend
Dr. Nina Jenkins
Founder and Chief Technology Officer
RECENT INNOVATIONS: Minimizing callbacks is a core focus for bed bug work. Setting your treatment up for success is critical for recruiting your client as an ally.
Overwhelmingly, callbacks can be attributed to client error. And, most often, they have no idea they’re doing it. For example, clients must maintain everyday sleeping routines to drive bed bugs out of their harborages Switching sleeping areas or leaving the property to avoid contact with bed bugs only extends eradication time. Similarly, an infested stuffed animal or other items brought into the bed can create a situation where bugs remain close to the bloodmeal and never have a chance to come in contact with your treatment.
Thus, educating your clients on post-treatment dos and don’ts will arm them with the best defense against reinfestation. The Aprehend team provides post-treatment door hangers that detail “Keys to a Successful Aprehend Treatment” to help you and your clients align.
In addition, because many PMPs use Aprehend in multi-unit housing and hospitality accounts, the Aprehend spray gun extension wand is a real knee-saver. The original extension wand design, however, wasn’t ideal. It used retention straps to hold the trigger in the “on” position. We listened to PMP feedback and designed a locking trigger. This allows PMPs to ditch the straps to make extension wand use easier and more robust.
PREDICTIONS: PMPs have a solid understanding of bed bug biology and the tools available to eradicate them. Protocols are effective and efficient. Bed bug work has become profitable. We see much opportunity and growth in the proactive bed bug service area. Aprehend’s up-to-three-month residual makes bed bugs an ideal add-on for quarterly servicing accounts and upselling. Nothing can prevent a reintroduction, but preventing a reinfestation with Aprehend gives clients peace of mind. And it costs less than tackling another active infestation. Eradication of active infestations is still a focus for PMPs, but we foresee an increase in preventive bed bug work.
BASF
Dr. Bob Davis, BCE
Technical Services Representative, Professional & Specialty Solutions
RECENT INNOVATIONS: While not a health crisis, bed bug infestations can be a significant nuisance, causing itching, discomfort and psychological distress. These small, wingless insects feed on blood and hide in the cracks and crevices of furniture and walls. They’re usually found around beds and other areas where people sit and rest.
Signs of bed bug infestations include:
- Itchy bites on people. Look for itchy, red welts, often appearing in a line or a cluster.
- Spotting and debris. Inspect for tiny, black fecal spots, shed skins and a sweet, musty odor in areas where people sit, rest and sleep.
- Insects. Check mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, headboards, sofas, chairs and other areas where bed bugs can hide.
One recent bed bug control innovation, BASF’s Ridesco WG Insecticide, uses a single application with two chemistry classes and two modes of action (MoAs) in one product.
Advantages include:
- Quick-release formulation that allows the two active ingredients (AIs) to impact pests immediately.
- Rapid reduction of pest populations, which provides visible relief for your customers.
- Dual active power that harnesses two proven AIs that impact different physiological pathways, overpowering bed bugs and a broad range of additional labeled pests.
- Resistance busting, because its two AIs are from two different classes of chemistry with differing MoAs. The double MoAs help control populations that are resistant to single classes of chemistry.
- Flexible and easy-to-use design with its dry formulation, broad label and simple application rate.
PREDICTIONS: Some bed bug populations have developed resistance to various insecticides, especially pyrethroids. Our team expects resistant populations to become more of an issue in the future.
Control Solutions Inc.
Dr. Danny McDonald
Technical Service Manager
RECENT INNOVATIONS: As a PMP, you are undoubtedly familiar with the scale of bed bug issues in homes, apartment complexes and hotels, but you may not have heard that over the past 15 to 20 years, bed bugs have become a frequent pest in poultry breeder barns. These barns provide abundant resources for bed bugs — including thousands of birds and rodents — from which to take a bloodmeal, as well as the ideal temperatures for reproduction and protection from the elements. Effective control strategies demand the same diligence, treatment precision and product selection.
Novaluron is an IGR that prevents immature insects from making exoskeletons, which kills them when they attempt to molt. In an unpublished 2018 laboratory study, a third-party cooperator with Control Solutions Inc. demonstrated that 90 percent of immature bed bugs treated with Tekko 10 — a novaluron product for the poultry industry — died within nine days after treatment. This discovery showed the utility of using IGRs in combination with adulticides to manage bed bug populations.
D-Fense NXT is an aerosol formulation with a 360-degree actuator that allows for multi-directional spray into cracks and crevices in urban structures for bed bug management. D-Fense NXT contains the pyrethroid deltamethrin and two IGRs: pyriproxyfen, a juvenile hormone mimic, and novaluron, a chitin synthesis inhibitor. This triple MoA kills bed bug adults, nymphs and eggs.
PREDICTIONS: Combination products like D-Fense NXT that target multiple life stages will be key to combating ever-evolving bed bug populations.
Ensystex
David Newfang, ACE
Western Region Technical Representative
RECENT INNOVATIONS: Ensystex is committed to providing effective and innovative solutions for bed bug management. Our latest offering, Bithor SC insecticide, combines two AIs with distinct MoAs, ensuring quick kill and extended residual control of bed bugs across all life stages. This dual-active formulation is a powerful tool against even pyrethroid-resistant bed bug strains. Field trials have demonstrated Bithor’s efficacy, achieving 100 percent control in highly resistant bed bug populations.
Ensystex also offers products to enhance bed bug treatment protocols. For example, we distribute Nature-Cide Insecticidal Dust, which is labeled for application to the folds and tufts of mattresses to provide an additional layer of control. Together, Bithor and Nature Cide Insecticidal Dust create a one-two-punch to eliminate a bed bug infestation.
PREDICTIONS: We anticipate the bed bug segment will continue to be a significant focus within the pest management industry over the next five years. As global travel and urbanization increase, so does the potential for bed bug proliferation. Ensystex is dedicated to staying at the forefront of this challenge by continually developing and providing advanced solutions to support pest management professionals in delivering effective bed bug control.
Envu
Dr. Alvaro Romero
Entomologist and Technical Services Manager, Professional Pest Management
RECENT INNOVATIONS: Envu is committed to advancing the pest management industry with effective, easy-to-use solutions — and its Temprid Dust delivers. Introduced in June 2024, this innovative, dual-action product delivers quick knockdown of bed bugs, including resistant strains, while also targeting ants, cockroaches and other labeled pests in hard-to-reach areas.
As a quick-acting, long-lasting solution, Temprid Dust helps PMPs confidently tackle even the most persistent infestations. Used as part of the Envu comprehensive bed bug portfolio, which includes Temprid FX insecticide, Temprid Dust adds another layer of control to any treatment program.
PREDICTIONS: The bed bug market likely will see continued growth, especially in cities, tourist areas and places with high travel activity. Urbanization is expected to increase over the next decade, which can further promote bed bug spread thanks to higher population density and increased movement of people. As bed bugs evolve and become resistant to current products, companies will innovate new control products to manage them. Awareness and sensitivity to bed bugs are increasing, leading to more reported infestations.
There’s also growing interest in the development of new detection methods as well as increased use of heat treatments and fumigations. This helps, but response times decrease in areas with limited budgets, particularly in low-income housing. Bed bugs will remain a significant concern for the pest control industry worldwide. Envu is responding with continued investment in innovation and product development so we can help PMPs tackle their toughest challenges.
J.T. Eaton
Isabelle Lucero
Education and Compliance Officer
RECENT INNOVATIONS: Just the idea of bed bugs can conjure feelings of panic and dread. But do not fear: J.T. Eaton’s Kills Bed Bugs PLUS Professional Aerosol Spray (#217P) is here.
Kills Bed Bugs PLUS Professional Aerosol Spray has a water-based formulation with two hard-working AIs: pyrethrin and permethrin. With the addition of piperonyl butoxide (PBO), a pesticide synergist that increases the effectiveness of the two AIs, studies have shown that this product can knock down 98 percent of the population in as little as 24 hours.
Kills Bed Bugs PLUS Professional Aerosol Spray is just one of the many tried-and-true products in J.T. Eaton’s bed bug management product line, accompanying “the greats” like the ClimbUp bed bug trap and the Kills Bed Bugs and Crawling Insects Powder. However, Kills Bed Bugs PLUS isn’t just for bed bugs. It also provides control of dust mites, ants and cockroaches. You can apply Kills Bed Bugs PLUS to more than just hard surfaces and baseboards — including, but not limited to, clothing, upholstered furniture, carpets, mattresses and drapes, which are all locations bed bugs like to hide.
As bed bug calls continue to rise, effective and vigilant control is essential. Kills Bed Bugs PLUS can be used as a follow-up to the initial knockdown for any missed bugs or eggs or to prevent future infestations, resulting in 12 weeks of continuous protection. We can sleep easy knowing J.T. Eaton’s Kills Bed Bugs PLUS Professional Aerosol Spray is fighting off any bed bugs that might be present.
PREDICTIONS: With new information emerging on potential health threats associated with bed bugs, we predict there will be a greater need for more proactive measures to prevent bed bugs from establishing.
MGK
Anna Hansen
Technical Service Support Specialist
RECENT INNOVATIONS: Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to treat for several reasons, from their resistance to pyrethroids to their ability to find hard-to-reach nooks and crannies for their harborage areas. An additional challenge with bed bugs is their ability to switch hosts. While people are their preferred hosts, bed bugs are also known to feed on dogs, cats and even chickens, increasing concern in poultry houses.
The stigma and anxiety that come with bed bug infestations lead to all kinds of potential and sometimes desperate solutions. Enter Crossfire Bed Bug Concentrate, designed for optimal bed bug control in homes, commercial sites and poultry houses by combining three AIs and multiple MoAs:
- Metofluthrin, a fast-acting pyrethroid
- PBO, a synergist to combat metabolic resistance
- Clothianidin, a long-lasting neonicotinoid
The product is available as a 13-ounce bottle, ideal for mixing a single gallon of finished spray, and an updated 130-ounce bottle (pictured) that allows for faster and more precise mixing. Third-party research has found this solution kills pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs at all life stages, including eggs, and shows more than 90 percent efficacy on mattresses and unpainted wood for up to 12 months. Crossfire also is compatible with heat treatments, so you can apply the product while waiting for the space to come to temperature after turning on the heaters.
PREDICTIONS: Bed bugs are one of those public health pests where even a single bug is considered unacceptable. Poultry houses are particularly challenging, given how long birds remain there. Our industry has been seeing success with assessment-based pest management (APM) for German cockroaches, and we expect more widespread use of APM to treat bed bug infestations. A targeted approach based on the level of infestation saves time, money and materials.
Neogen
Andrew Fisher, BCE, PHE
Business Unit Specialist
RECENT INNOVATIONS: One of the biggest headaches when dealing with bed bugs is trying to find them. Inspection is an important aspect of bed bug treatment because if you miss an area, a callback almost certainly will be next. The SureKill Advanced Insecticide Products Flusher (pictured) can be used as an inspection tool to help find bed bug harborages. Its dry fog dispersion method penetrates the deeper voids where bed bugs can hide; it can be sprayed in any orientation for easy application. This nonflammable, dual-synergized pyrethrin can be used in several labeled public settings, including schools, hotels, nursing homes and transportation equipment.
The next critical step involves treating all the areas of harborage, which most likely will be in tight spaces, cracks and crevices. Finding a tool that checks these boxes can be challenging, but the SureKill Liquid Pro Applicator does just that. Its interchangeable tips offer precise treatment. Its compact belt design allows discreet applications in sensitive accounts and hands-free mobility for ongoing inspections or maneuvering items during treatment. Combining the SureKill Flusher for inspections with the SureKill Liquid Pro Applicator for targeted liquid applications forms an effective duo to tackle any bed bug issue in nearly any environment.
PREDICTIONS: We anticipate a steady level of bed bug activity overall in the coming years. The education and technical proficiency in the industry are sufficient for effective bed bug management. With that said, though, certain regions could still naturally have increased bed bug activity. This will ensure an ongoing demand for bed bug treatments.
Polti USA
Stefano Montesano
North America Marketing & Sales
RECENT INNOVATIONS: Bed bugs are a persistent and challenging pest, particularly affecting the housing and hospitality sectors. Prompt identification and effective treatment are critical to controlling and eliminating infestations.
Effective bed bug protocols should incorporate at least two compatible control methods, along with careful monitoring and scheduled follow-ups. The superheated dry steam of the Polti Cimex Eradicator is effective against eggs, nymphs and adult bed bugs. It also is a flexible tool that complements any method with which it is paired. Moreover, we offer clear, easy-to-follow instructional materials to train new technicians on how to get the most out of the device.
The environmentally friendly Polti Cimex Eradicator uses patented technology to generate superheated dry steam, instantly killing bed bugs and their eggs on contact. Its 356-degree Fahrenheit steam is lethal to all life stages of bed bugs, leaving no chance for the pests to develop resistance. This is especially important with the increasing pesticide resistance within certain bed bug populations, as noted by the EPA.
PREDICTIONS: As the pest control industry shifts toward more sustainable and health-conscious practices, the demand for natural, low-risk solutions continues to rise. Tools like the Polti Cimex Eradicator exemplify how innovation can meet that demand, delivering effective, eco-conscious results without compromising on performance.
Rockwell Labs
Dr. Cisse Spragins
Founder and CEO
RECENT INNOVATIONS: CimeXa Insecticide Dust remains a gold standard in long-lasting bed bug control. Comprised of 100 percent engineered amorphous silica as the AI, it quickly desiccates bed bugs without repellency and inherited resistance. As an inorganic mineral, it is not affected by heat, other than to make it work even better if combined with a heat treatment. We can confirm that it is the only bed bug or general pest control product with an EPA-approved label claim of lasting up to 10 years when undisturbed.
At the other end of the spectrum, EcoVia research-based botanicals combine several naturally occurring botanical oils that provide multiple MoAs, overcoming inherited resistance to traditional synthetic chemistries that have evolved because of widespread use. While most EcoVia formulas have been tested, and all of the ones tested have been shown to work, we find that the best option is EcoVia CA aerosol. The aerosol spray is easy to apply and will continue working for up to two weeks. Paired with CimeXa, it’s a lethal combination for fast control and long-lasting protection against the re-establishment of newly introduced bed bugs, even in susceptible accounts.
PREDICTIONS: There is much more awareness of the potential for problems in susceptible accounts, and more proactive measures are being taken. So, there are generally fewer accounts with exceedingly heavy infestations. That said, many areas still have endemic and persistent issues and a high likelihood of reintroduction. Until proactive and effective treatments are used in those accounts, we expect that problems will continue. We also expect continued evolution, particularly in green solutions, to control them.
Syngenta
Dr. Chris Keefer, BCE
Technical Services Manager, Professional Pest Management
RECENT INNOVATIONS: Syngenta is committed to providing high-quality bed bug solutions to PMPs that can deliver success and simplify applications. We’re constantly working to develop university- and PMP-tested protocols that are scientifically proven to be successful.
Our bed bug solutions include Demand CS insecticide (pictured) and Tandem insecticide.
Featuring an AI of lambda-cyhalothrin, Demand CS offers not only control of bed bugs, but more than 30 additional pests, including mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, ants and cockroaches. Formulated with iCAP technology, its multiple-sized microcaps easily adhere to pests’ waxy cuticles, ensuring quick knockdown and lasting control.
Tandem combines lambda-cyhalothrin and thiamethoxam to provide a double assault on bed bugs with one product. Also formulated with iCAP technology, Tandem provides quick knockdown and long-lasting control of bed bugs and more than 90 additional labeled pests, indoors and outdoors.
Syngenta spends more than $1 billion annually and employs more than 5,000 research and development staff members globally searching for new urban pest management solutions for PMPs. Syngenta works with universities and private research companies worldwide while also conducting internal testing on new AIs, formulations and pest management techniques.
PREDICTIONS: Bed bug calls, complaints and revenue are not showing signs of slowing down in the foreseeable future. We believe it won’t be long before new AIs and formulations for bed bugs will become available. These can help combat bed bug resistance and increase efficacy, decrease the time needed to maximize control and increase the length of control. Implementing an IPM approach for bed bugs that includes these solutions also can help further improve efficacy.
Zoëcon
Mel Whitson
Director of Sales & Marketing, Pest Control
RECENT INNOVATIONS: Protecting residential and commercial clients from bed bug infestations is a challenge PMPs encounter year-round. The rapid spread and immediate threats of bed bugs, ranging from skin irritation and allergic reactions to damaged personal and business reputations, is enough reason to watch out for early signs of infestation.
Bed bug bites can seem comparable to other insects, especially at first. Noticing a musty-sweet odor or rust-colored stains in bedding and furniture are additional signs to pinpoint a bed bug infestation. Bed bugs like to travel, latching onto anything they can get close to, thus allowing infestations to develop quickly. Zenprox EC, a solution from Zoëcon Professional Products, is a flexible and powerful option that helps PMPs fight against spreading bed bugs. The non-repellent AI etofenprox suppresses future bed bugs from hatching, helping provide long-lasting, residual control. Under the label, Zenprox EC can be broadcast applied, allowing the product to reach bed bugs that may be harboring away from beds. With reliable tools such as Zenprox EC, PMPs have the advantage over bed bugs and can help protect clients from growing infestations.
PREDICTIONS: Awareness surrounding bed bug infestations is growing nationwide, especially with the uptick of travel in recent years following the shutdowns from the pandemic. As the impact of bed bugs on both residential and commercial settings increases, proactive prevention measures will become even more critical.
Bed bug infestations will be a continual challenge because of their tenacity and tendency to spread anywhere they can. Controlling bed bug infestations requires attentiveness, research and collaboration. Through complete comprehension of the situation, PMPs can take effective action. Zoëcon Professional Products is dedicated to helping PMPs succeed and will continue to provide the necessary tools to help them effectively manage the most challenging pest infestations.
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