The best insecticide sprays are non-toxic or low in toxins to humans, stop the reproductive life cycles of the pests they target, and remain active for many months following their initial introduction into the environment. These types of products are safe for use around any member of the family, including children and pets, and actively work to protect the home and property from new pest invasions. Every home and garden, regardless of the care taken to prevent insects from entering, is susceptible to pests. The most effective form of pest control is a steady regimen of performing regular home maintenance and consistently applying an insecticidal spray.
Insecticide sprays use a variety of chemical compounds to poison household and garden pests and prevent them from returning. These chemicals have the potential to pose a threat to human health as well, based on their ingredients. Consumers should begin by guaranteeing the type of spray they have purchased has been tested by a health or environmental protection agency and deemed non-toxic or of low toxic levels for humans. Insecticides which use nicotine sulfates put off toxic vapors, and should only be used sparingly by licensed terminators, or not at all. Boric acid and diatomaceous earth are two harmless alternatives to such toxins that can still effectively eradicate pests, though they are generally not available in a spray.
The goal of effective insecticide sprays is to stop the life cycle pattern of the pests they target. Most sprays are formulated to target specific insects, which are generally listed on the outside of the product labeling, as are the active ingredients which comprise the mixture. The chemicals should neutralize and kill adult insects and sterilize newly hatched forms before they have the opportunity to reproduce. For example, malathion is an outdoor insecticide product that has been proven to interrupt the mosquito life cycle, killing adults, eggs, and hatching larvae. Deltamethrin is a formulated indoor pest control compound that can kill and sterilize both young and adult roaches. Not all insects may be poisoned during their egg and larval stages, like fleas, which are naturally protected during gestation, and reapplications may be necessary depending on the extent of the infestation.
Pests tend to return to their preferred breeding and nesting grounds over time. For this reason, consumers should also purchase insecticide sprays which not only kill insects on contact, but will also continue to protect the home and property for a period of several months. These compounds may be sprayed around the baseboards of the indoors, the exterior foundations, lawns, and shrubs. The chemicals which are toxic to pests remain active following their initial application, serving to poison newcomers through oral ingestion. Consumers can also take measures to caulk any holes leading into the home, repair damaged foundations, and eradicate nesting homes like standing water and hives, to greatly reduce their risk of future invasions.
