Read the label twice
The HSE tells users to read and understand the label before using any biocide. The instructions are there because they make the product safe and effective. Read them in the shop, and again before you open the product.
Look for the pest, the place, the surface, the dose and the method. Note the protective gear, the drying time and the re-entry rule. If the label does not cover your use, do not use the product that way.
Never make a product stronger
More product does not mean more kill. A US health report found that excessive application was among the most common causes of illness after bed bug treatments. Failing to wash or change treated bedding was another, while some people were never told about the spraying.
The same report counted 111 illnesses and one death over eight years in seven US states. Pyrethroid or pyrethrin products caused most of the cases. It advised people to use a certified applicator who takes an integrated approach, and to follow product instructions.
Desperate home methods are worse, because they add burns and fire to the problem. A medical review describes burns from alcohol and house fires from propane heaters used against bed bugs. Never use fuel or flame, and read why foggers fail before you try one.
Dusts, cold and other home ideas
A desiccant dust such as diatomaceous earth needs the same care, because it is sold to kill pests. Check its label for an approval number like any other pest product. Our desiccant dust guide covers where dusts fit.
Cold is a different question, because freezing works by temperature rather than by chemistry. Our post on whether freezing kills bed bugs explains what freezing can and cannot do. The DIY treatment guide shows the wider limits of home methods.
Prevention needs no pesticide at all. The NHS advises you to check luggage and clothes after travel to infested places. Our guide to avoiding bed bugs after travel turns that advice into a routine.
Store, dispose and respond
Keep every product in its original container, because the HSE says this is both a safety step and a legal requirement. Keep it where children and pets cannot reach it.
You are also responsible for the waste. The HSE says anyone who uses biocides must make sure leftover product and empty containers are disposed of properly. Check the label for disposal steps, or ask your council.
If someone feels ill, act fast. The NHS says to call 999 if someone collapses, stops breathing, has severe trouble breathing or has a seizure after contact with something harmful. Call NHS 111 if you are unsure. Take the product or its packaging to show the doctors.
After any treatment, follow the room rules in our aftercare guide. To compare products with other methods, use our insecticide guide.
Sources and further checks
Open each source before you act on anything that can change, such as council services, prices, tenancy rules and product labels. Labels and official guidance are revised from time to time, so the source always wins over our summary.