Pronto Bed Bug Spray
Manufactured by Church and Dwight, Pronto is a spray used
to minister to infestations of bed bugs. At about $5.99 for a 10 oz can,
this do-it-yourself remedy provides a cost-effective treatment option for
consumers.
How to Treat With Pronto
In order to treat for bed bugs, first carefully sanitize the mattress and box springs with a standard household cleaner. Next, making certain to properly ventilate the affected area, apply Pronto to places in and around your bed where pests might camouflage themselves. These include cracked or contoured areas in the mattress (eg: seams, tufts, and folds), bed frame (eg: baseboards, headboard), and adjacent structure, (eg: floorboards, walls). Be careful, because they will run away from the spray - it's best to "cordon them off" by spraying around the area first.
Does it work?
Users report needing more than one can to complete the job entirely. Because of the chemical content, the product has a strong scent and can be harmful to humans and animals if ingested. The U.S. EPA rates this product at a level 3, or slightly toxic. The Active Ingredients are 3-Phenoxybenzyl-2, 2-Dimethyl-3, Cyclopropane Carboxylate (0.4%), and N-Octyl Bicycloheptene Dicarbo. It's definitely a good idea for travelers, but it may not work for getting rid of a full-blown infestation (which is tough to do). You can buy Pronto online here.
Sources and Useful Links:
Toxicity
http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Product.jsp?REG_NR=00102101767&DIST_NR=002398
Recent Studies
http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.aspx?docID=625602
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol11no04/04-1126.htm
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