Can I spray Wondercide on my bed?

Spraying Wondercide on your bed is an option some people consider for getting rid of bed bugs or other pests. Wondercide is a natural pest control spray made from essential oils and other plant-based ingredients. It claims to be safe for use around people and pets when used as directed. However, there are some important factors to consider before spraying Wondercide or any pesticide on your mattress.

What is Wondercide?

Wondercide is a pest control product made by the company Wondercide Natural Products in Austin, Texas. It contains a blend of plant-based ingredients including rosemary, peppermint, and cedar oils. Wondercide claims its products are non-toxic, kid and pet safe, and effective at killing and repelling insects like ants, roaches, fleas, ticks, and bed bugs when used according to label directions.

The active ingredients in Wondercide act as insecticides, repellents, and insect growth regulators. The oils disrupt the insect nervous system and interfere with functions like eating, mating, and egg laying. Wondercide products come in ready-to-use sprays, concentrate, wipes, shampoo, and dust. The company says they use only food-grade ingredients.

Is It Safe to Spray Wondercide on a Mattress?

The short answer is yes, Wondercide can be safely applied to a mattress as directed on the product label. Wondercide is classified as a minimum risk pesticide by the EPA because it contains exempt ingredients like cedar oil, peppermint oil, and sodium lauryl sulfate. Minimum risk pesticides are considered safe for use around people and pets when used as intended.

The Wondercide label states that the product can be sprayed directly on mattresses, box springs, carpets, floors, baseboards, and other surfaces. It instructs to hold the nozzle close to the surface and spray a light mist evenly over the area until it’s slightly damp. The surface does not need to be soaked or drenched. It should be safe for people and pets to come in contact with the sprayed surface once it has fully dried.

Always be sure to follow the label directions carefully when applying any pesticide. Do not over apply Wondercide or use it in a way that differs from the label. Only use the recommended amount, which will vary based on the size of the space being treated.

Should You Spray Your Mattress for Bed Bugs?

Spraying Wondercide or other pesticides directly on a mattress infested with bed bugs is one treatment option. However, there are also reasons you may want to avoid spraying a mattress if possible:

– It can be difficult to fully penetrate bed bug hiding spots inside the mattress with topical sprays. Bed bugs often congregate deep inside mattress seams, edges, and crevices. Spray alone may not reach them.

– Over-application of pesticides can cause mattress damage, odors, and residue. It’s easy to oversaturate a mattress while attempting to spray every crevice.

– Spraying may cause bed bugs to scatter and spread to other areas. Hit with pesticides, they may leave the mattress in search of untreated hiding spots nearby.

– It can be harmful for people with asthma, allergies, or chemical sensitivities to sleep on a sprayed mattress due to odor and residue.

Many experts advise against spraying mattresses as the sole treatment method. Instead they recommend using sprays, dusts, steam, and heat applied to the entire room, not just the bed. This comprehensive approach is more likely to eliminate all bed bugs and eggs.

If you do choose to spray a mattress, use caution not to oversaturate, cover it with an encasement afterward, and combine with other methods like steam and vacuuming. Monitor closely and retreat if live bugs are spotted. Dispose of the mattress if infestations persist.

How to Use Wondercide for Bed Bugs

If you want to use Wondercide as part of a bed bug treatment protocol, here are some tips for safe and effective use:

– Carefully inspect the mattress, bed frame, headboard, and surrounding areas to identify bed bug hiding spots. Focus efforts on these areas.

– Vacuum the mattress, bed frame, furniture, baseboards, and carpet thoroughly to remove bed bugs, eggs, and debris. Properly dispose of the vacuum bag afterward.

– Use a steamer to penetrate inside mattress seams, furniture joints, baseboards, and cracks. Heat kills bed bugs all life stages.

– Apply Wondercide as a light mist to mattress seams, tufts, edges, bed frame, headboard, furniture, baseboards, and carpet. Do not saturate upholstered or porous surfaces.

– Allow all treated areas to fully dry before use.

– Encase the mattress and box spring in bed bugproof covers. Leave encasements on for at least 1 year.

– Inspect and monitor daily for live bugs. Retreat if necessary. Bed bugs can be difficult to fully eliminate quickly.

Regular monitoring and repeat applications are key to succeeding with Wondercide or any other treatment. Bed bugs often require multiple applications spaced 2-3 weeks apart. Wondercide can provide residual protection against bed bugs for up to 2 weeks when applied correctly.

Using Wondercide Safely Around Pets

Wondercide states that their products are safe for use around people and pets, including dogs, cats, horses, and birds, when used as directed. However, you still want to exercise some caution using any pesticide around pets:

– Read the label and follow all instructions carefully. Never use more than recommended. Over-application poses risks.

– Avoid spraying directly on pets or allowing them prolonged contact before fully drying.

– Keep pets away during treatment until surfaces are completely dry.

– Do not allow pets to lick, sniff, or ingest treated surfaces. Clean pet items like bedding in hot water if exposed.

– Monitor pets after use for any unusual reactions like skin irritation, gastrointestinal upset, or breathing issues.

– Speak to your veterinarian first if your pet has sensitivities or health conditions.

With proper precautions, most pets can tolerate Wondercide. Natural ingredients like essential oils are generally less toxic for pets than synthetic pesticide ingredients. But they can still pose risks like skin and eye irritation in some sensitive animals. Monitor your pet and call your vet if any abnormal symptoms develop after use around your home.

Precautions When Using Wondercide

Exercise the following general safety measures when using Wondercide pest control spray:

– Review all label instructions carefully and follow them exactly. Never use more than directed.

– Avoid contact with eyes, nose, mouth, and open wounds. Wondercide contains oils that may cause irritation.

– Wear gloves and wash hands after application. Be careful not to touch eyes or face during use.

– Only apply to recommended surfaces like floors, walls, countertops, and exteriors. Do not spray directly on people, pets, plants, or food surfaces.

– Use in well-ventilated areas and avoid breathing in spray mist. Open windows and turn on fans to allow fresh air circulation after application.

– Keep children and pets away from treated surfaces until fully dry.

– Clean food surfaces and prep areas if accidentally over-sprayed. Rinse produce that may have residue.

– Do not use Wondercide in areas with poor ventilation, in nurseries, or indoors around infants, elderly, or infirm. The oils may aggravate respiratory issues.

When used carefully according to label directions, Wondercide is generally safe. But exercise special caution around children, pets, and individuals with sensitivities or health conditions. Stop use and seek medical help if an adverse reaction occurs.

Is Wondercide Effective?

Studies on Wondercide’s efficacy are limited. Some small trials show promising results for insects like mosquitoes and cockroaches:

– A Rutgers University study found Wondercide spray resulted in 100% mortality of cockroach nymphs and over 80% mortality of adult cockroaches.

– Researchers at Texas A&M found exposure to Wondercide essential oils resulted in up to 100% mortality of mosquito larvae.

– The company cites internal lab testing showing Wondercide kills and repels bed bugs for 2 weeks after application.

However, real world effectiveness depends on proper application directly on and around all pest hiding spots. Results may vary depending on infestation levels, thoroughness of use, and repeat applications. Using Wondercide alone is often not sufficient to fully eliminate bed bugs in a heavily infested home. Most experts recommend combining it with other methods like encasements, steaming, and discarding infested furniture for best results.

For outdoor pests like mosquitoes and ticks, the short residual activity means you may need frequent reapplication. Essential oil pesticides often don’t provide the weeks or months of control synthetic pesticides do.

While some users report good results with Wondercide, outcomes can be hit or miss depending on the pest issue and thoroughness of application. It takes patience and diligence to see success with natural pesticide sprays.

Pros and Cons of Wondercide

Here is a quick overview of some of the key pros and cons to consider about using Wondercide spray as a pest control method:

Pros:

• Made from natural plant-based ingredients like essential oils
• Contains no synthetic pesticide chemicals
• Classified as minimum risk by the EPA
• Claims to be safe for use around people and pets when used properly
• Provides residual pest protection when applied correctly
• Can be used on mattresses, furniture, and other household items
• Available in ready-to-use and concentrate formulas

Cons:

• Short residual activity means frequent reapplication may be needed
• Not as effective on heavy pest infestations as synthetic pesticides
• Some essential oils pose risks for irritation, allergies, and asthma
• Must be applied vigilantly to all pest hiding spots
• More expensive than many synthetic pesticide sprays
• Unpleasant smell from oils may linger after application
• Staining possible on some furniture fabrics and surfaces

Wondercide can be a good option for people looking for a pest control spray made of natural plant oils rather than synthetic ingredients. However, it may require more diligent application and repeat treatments than harsher broad-spectrum pesticide sprays. Consider if the pros outweigh any potential cons for your specific pest situation and preferences.

Alternatives to Wondercide

Some comparable alternatives to Wondercide natural pesticide spray include:

Essentria IC3: Contains rosemary, peppermint, and geraniol oils. Marketed for bed bugs, ants, roaches, and other pests. Available as concentrate and ready-to-use formula.

EcoRaider: Made from plant-based geraniol and cedar oils. Lab tested effective on bed bugs, ants, spiders, and roaches. Available as spray and gel.

Rest Easy: Uses plant-based active ingredients like peppermint, cedarwood, and clove oils. Can be applied to mattresses, furniture, carpet, and fabrics.

Bed Bug Patrol: Contains essential oils like clove, peppermint, and cedar for bed bugs. Can be sprayed on mattresses, furniture, floors, and walls.

Orange Guard: Made from d-limonene oil extracted from oranges. Kills fire ants, fleas, and other household pests. Can be used indoors and outdoors.

These products contain similar plant oil-based active ingredients to Wondercide. However, always check each label carefully as allowed uses may differ. Natural sprays are often most effective when rotated with other treatment methods as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) program.

Tips for Using Wondercide Spray

Follow these tips to get the most out of Wondercide when treating pests:

– Read and follow all label directions carefully. Do not over apply.

– Test fabrics and surfaces first for potential staining before wide scale application.

– Apply directly on and around all known or suspected pest harborage areas like crevices, seams, and holes.

– Ensure good ventilation while applying and allow treated areas to completely dry before re-entering.

– Hit pests directly with spray if possible when seen.

– Retreat every 7-14 days for 2-3 applications to control infestations.

– Combine with nonchemical methods like vacuuming, steam, traps, sanitation, sealing cracks, etc.

– Monitor treated areas closely and retreat if live pests are spotted.

– Rotate using different essential oil sprays and pest control tactics to prevent pest resistance.

– Store in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.

– Dispose of unused product responsibly according to label guidelines.

With diligent, thorough application focused on pest hiding spots, Wondercide can provide good control, though results may vary. Always integrate spraying with non-spray methods like vacuuming, sanitizing, and clutter reduction for best success. Monitor closely and repeat treatments if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Wondercide kill bed bugs?

Yes, when applied correctly and thoroughly, Wondercide can kill bed bugs it comes into direct contact with. However, it often takes repeat applications and combining with other methods to fully eliminate an infestation.

How long does Wondercide last?

Wondercide claims to provide residual pest protection for 2 weeks after application when applied according to label directions. However, results vary based on factors like application method, pest type, and infestation level. More applications may be needed.

Is Wondercide safe for pets?

The company states Wondercide is safe for use around dogs, cats, horses, birds, and other pets when used as directed. But always exercise caution when applying pesticides around pets and monitor them closely. Consult a vet if concerns arise.

Can Wondercide be used on skin?

No, Wondercide is not meant for use directly on human or pet skin. It is only intended for surface application per the label directions.

Does Wondercide have a smell?

Yes, you may notice a strong smell from the essential oils in Wondercide, especially right after application. The scent should fade over time but may linger for a few days in treated rooms.

Can you use Wondercide indoors?

Yes, when used as directed Wondercide can be applied to indoor surfaces like baseboards, floors, walls, and mattresses. Always ensure proper ventilation while applying.

Is Wondercide effective on roaches?

Research shows Wondercide can kill cockroaches. However, results depend on application to all hiding spots. Combining with other methods like traps may enhance control.

Conclusion

Wondercide contains plant-based active ingredients that make it a potentially safer option than synthetic pesticides for use around the home. When applied thoroughly according to directions, it can control pests like bed bugs in some cases. However, the relatively short residual activity means repeat applications are often needed, especially for heavy infestations. Wondercide is likely most effective when combined with nonchemical treatment methods as part of an integrated pest management program.

Carefully read and follow all label precautions and directions when using Wondercide or any other pesticide. While deemed a minimum risk product, Wondercide still contains plant oils that can potentially cause irritation or reactions in some individuals. Monitor children, pets, and your home closely during and after application. Consider trying small test applications first before wide scale spraying.

With diligent, repeated use focused on known pest hiding spots, Wondercide can provide adequate short term control of some pests for many homeowners seeking a plant-based spray option. But results vary greatly based on the specific infestation situation. The essential oils may need to be applied more frequently than synthetic pesticides. If issues persist despite proper application, stronger chemical options or professional pest control assistance may be warranted.