Bed bugs in mattresses, pillows, and sofas are difficult to remove. If they appear, you should immediately take steps to rid your home of them. These insects quickly adapt to new poisons, so the solution must be designed to kill them immediately and en masse. South Korean Combat products, available in various forms, receive positive reviews from consumers. What range of products are available, and which one should you choose?
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Types of Combat products used against bedbugs
Combat products, available in various forms, contain one or two active ingredients that specifically kill insects: imiprothrin, cyphenothrin, or hydramethylnon. When applied to insects, they cause immediate paralysis of the nervous system—parasites die, but not before losing their ability to navigate and find food. These products are more effective because they kill not only the infected insects but also any other insects they come into contact with, including the larvae. This is due to a chain reaction: the parasites carry particles of the product on their legs.
It's worth noting that the official website for Henkel's Combat brand doesn't specifically state that the products combat bedbugs. The manufacturer classifies its products as follows:
- from crawling insects (sprays);
- from cockroaches (gel, traps);
- from flying insects (sprays and mosquito repellents).
Imiprothrin has a rapid knockdown effect on parasites. Cyphenothrin ensures high mortality and has a residual effect, "finishing off" the bedbugs (while also being low toxic to pets).
Cockroach gel: How it works against bedbugs
The gel is used as a barrier when the bedbug infestation is unknown, or when aerosol treatments pose a health risk to household members. Bedbugs that become contaminated with the gel can carry it back to their nests and spread it among other bedbugs. The bedbug deaths don't occur immediately, but rather within two to three weeks. However, gel alone won't completely eliminate them. However, this product is beneficial because it:
- has a minimal risk of toxic poisoning when used correctly;
- does not cause allergic reactions, as it does not come into contact with the skin or respiratory tract;
- does not have any specific odors or toxic fumes (after applying them, there is no need to leave the room or ventilate it);
- Safe for children and pets (provided it is applied in places inaccessible to them).
A convenient syringe containing Combat gel allows you to quickly apply the product to any surface.
Application method
The gel is applied in small dots or dashes in places where parasites may accumulate (behind furniture, under baseboards, on the back of beds, in closets, etc.) and around the perimeter of the room and bedroom furniture (including around the legs). For ease of application, the product is placed in a syringe. During processing, gloves and a gauze bandage are sufficient; no additional protective measures are required.
As a preventative measure, you can treat the entire perimeter of your apartment to prevent bedbugs from establishing a presence.
Combat gel is viscous and sticky, so it can be used with equal ease on both vertical and horizontal surfaces.
Advantages of the drug
The gels are easy to use, and their active ingredients begin to work on parasites immediately after application. Among the product's main advantages is its long-lasting effect. The insecticides present in the composition are active for nine months after application.Combat gel is also indispensable for preventing bed bugs. This is especially true when the risk of infestation is high, particularly if these insects have infested your neighbors.
Sprays against crawling and flying insects
Combat offers a wide range of sprays. Each product has a different composition (type of insecticide), so you can choose the right one for your specific situation.
The convenient Combat sprayer helps cover all cracks and small holes during treatment.
There are three types of Combat sprays that can deal with bed bugs:
- Superspray;
- Superspray+;
- Multispray.
Composition and action:
- Combat Superspray contains the insecticides cyphenothrin and imiprothrin in concentrations that can destroy bedbugs quickly.
- Superspray+ is an improved version of the spray, which has a higher concentration of active ingredients. This product can also be used to get rid of many other pests. In addition to crawling insects, it kills microbes and is suitable for treating rooms with mold and mildew stains on the walls.
- Combat Multispray is formulated with other insecticides—tetramethrin and permethrin. These compounds enhance each other's action, doubling the product's effectiveness. This spray is effective not only against bedbugs but also against other insects, such as flies and cockroaches. However, it is less effective against parasites.
Combat Multispray is not effective in getting rid of bed bugs.
It's important to remember. Bed bugs often develop a tolerance to products containing low concentrations of dangerous chemicals. Once adapted, the most difficult pests to control.
The most effective “weapon” against bedbugs from the Combat line is Superspray+, which is characterized by the highest concentration of active ingredients.The product helps quickly get rid of parasites.
The sprays take effect immediately after application—bed bugs begin to die within the first hour. The product is particularly effective over the next seven days and continues to kill bed bugs for 20 days. After this period, the concentration of the substance gradually decreases. Daylight and sunlight do not affect its effectiveness.
How to use sprays
To treat a room for bedbugs, simply spray the substance. Sprays with a thin spray tube make it easy to treat hard-to-reach places: the substance gets into all cracks and holes. Superspray+ has a flexible nozzle that allows you to change the spray direction during treatment. By pointing it downwards, you can specifically kill the insects you see. By pointing the nozzle upwards or sideways, you can easily treat hard-to-reach areas and ensure the product penetrates narrow crevices. This way, you'll kill hidden pests without damaging wallpaper or furniture.
To control bed bugs, use Superspray or Superspray+
The cylinders have a capacity of 400–500 ml (usually this is enough for a full treatment of a house or apartment).
Before using sprays from the Combat line, you should carefully prepare your house or apartment for the procedure:
- It is necessary to remove any residue of insecticidal preparations against bedbugs (if you first used other means).
- It is necessary to completely block insects' access to places where they can hide (remove all carpets from the walls, paintings and light bookshelves and flower shelves, remove fabric floor coverings).
- It is necessary to check where large concentrations of bed bugs with laid eggs may be located, not missing a single corner, crack or hole.
- It is recommended to carefully inspect the premises again.
If the bedbug removal procedure is carried out in freezing weather, then carpets, shelves, paintings and other items should be taken out to the balcony and left there for at least 4-5 hours.
Advantages of the drug
Combat sprays are chosen in cases where it is necessary to quickly destroy parasites in the home by specifically targeting them. It is important that these products fall into the category of “odorless” preparations. Fruity and floral fragrances are added to their composition.
Sprays kill both the bedbugs themselves and their larvae and eggs.
Superspray+ is recommended by the Russian Ministry of Health for use in children's educational institutions (schools, kindergartens), as well as in medical institutions, stores, food warehouses, etc.
Why cockroach traps don't work
Another form of Combat products are traps in the form of small boxes. These devices are designed specifically for cockroach control, but according to consumer reviews, they can also be effective against bedbugs. However, these traps are unlikely to rid your home of these blood-sucking pests. The manufacturer does not classify such devices as bedbug control products for one simple reason: bedbugs feed on human blood and therefore do not respond to food baits that are attractive to cockroaches.
How to choose an effective remedy
If your goal is to completely eliminate a large infestation of bedbugs, use Combat Superspray+. Manufacturers recommend repeat treatment 10-12 days after the initial extermination. Superspray+ is also effective because it destroys any remaining fungi and mold that bedbugs carry and spread. Combat Multispray can also kill other household pests (cockroaches, ants), but it contains a lower concentration of toxic components, making it easier for bedbugs to develop a habit.
Combat gels are the right preventative measure. If your neighbors have bed bugs, it's important to prevent them from spreading to you. These products will help restrict access and prevent them from entering your home.
Toxicity of insecticides to humans and animals
Combat products are classified as hazard category three: moderately toxic (to humans and pets). It is important to know that drugs in this group are practically safe for all mammals, but are extremely dangerous for fish and bees, reptiles (frogs, lizards, etc.).
If the substance enters the respiratory tract, immediately rinse your mouth with plenty of water. If the product comes into contact with your skin, wash it with soapy water. To minimize the risk of such consequences, take protective measures when spraying: wear a protective suit, respirator, and gloves when spraying the area. For the first two days after the procedure, it's best for family members to stay in a safer area.
Protect yourself as much as possible during the procedure: make sure you have special clothing and a respirator.
If you have an aquarium in your home, be sure to remove it or at least cover it with a thick cloth when spraying it to prevent the chemical from contaminating the water. Combat, like other chemicals, should be kept out of the reach of children. Also, be careful not to let dogs and cats lick insecticide residue from treated surfaces.
Video: Tips for getting rid of bed bugs
Reviews
After reading reviews claiming that Combat is supposedly one of the most effective bedbug repellents, I decided to buy it. I bought three cans at once, just to be sure. The product has a fairly strong scent, which at first I even found pleasant. But that was only at first. We sprayed the entire sofa, all the cracks, baseboards, cabinets, cornices—everything we could reach. It was simply impossible to stay in the apartment after that. Combat has a convenient spray tube, making it easy to spray in hard-to-reach places, which is especially important when fighting bedbugs. But, alas, the miracle didn't happen. All our attempts to get rid of the bedbugs in the apartment on our own were unsuccessful. Ultimately, we had to call professional exterminators anyway.
We tried a lot of different mass-market products, but nothing worked. Combat was the answer. It has a pleasant scent, and the insects immediately start scurrying around like crazy. If they get into the product, they die within 10 seconds. It's toxic, but I didn't use any protective equipment during the treatment, and nothing serious happened. The packaging is very convenient, with a long tube for reaching hard-to-reach places. A significant drawback is the steep price of a can—400-450 rubles.
I decided to get Combat spray with a floral scent. I sprayed it all over the sofa, especially where they were hiding. They immediately started falling over and slowly dying. It's also convenient that there's a special tube that lets you spray the product in hard-to-reach places (cracks, baseboards, etc.). I slept on the sofa today. I woke up with two small bites, though, so I must have missed something. For that many bedbugs, I should have bought two cans of the product. Well, I'll say the results are very good for just one treatment! I'll buy another Combat today and repeat the treatment. Then I can definitely sleep soundly. We were about to throw out the sofa. Anyway, if you have any insects, don't hesitate, buy Combat!
The battle with bedbugs had been going on for three years. The bedbugs were winning. We couldn't find the Fas-Dubl (Fas-Dubl) product to completely kill them. Combat+ was recommended as a temporary solution. It proved quite effective and completely safe. While figuring out how to use the nozzle, I accidentally splashed the product on my face. I was able to wash my face only after 40 minutes. No health effects were noted. After killing the majority of the bedbugs with Fas-Dubl, the remaining insects crawling out of cracks were effectively killed with Combat+.
The key to bedbug control is meticulousness. By the way, it's best to do it with the whole house, otherwise they might come back. We treated the apartment ourselves because the SES office whispered to me, "Miss, no one can do it better than you." We used Kombat (a killer spray) with a long nozzle. It directs the spray where it's needed, and you can stuff it into cracks and wallpaper seams. We didn't throw out any furniture. Overall, we used three cans per room (although safety regulations allow only one for the entire house). We treated everything. We crawled on our haunches, crawled into every crack, and found everything in closets, floors, sofas, and wallpaper. To avoid throwing it out, we covered the sofa tightly with plastic wrap and sprayed poison there. The bugs can't get out and die. In short, we used as many cans as it would have cost to call the SES office. We treated every 10-day interval. There was no sign for a year. A year later they came again. They repeated. So far for the second year, we've been living ok.
When starting your fight against bed bugs, remember: if your neighbors have these parasites, you need to work together. If your home is being attacked en masse and aggressively, there's no point in trying to get rid of them on your own. It's best to call a professional service. However, if you have a relatively small number of bed bugs in your home, Combat products are available.
