Summary
HotShot Bedbug & Flea Killer is an insecticidal premise spray. It’s mainly used to kill bed bugs and fleas, but can also kill other insect pests. It contains prallethrin and gamma-cyhalothrin to quickly kill adult insects.
HotShot Bedbug & Flea
HotShot helps control fleas and other insect pests indoors.
HotShot isn’t the best choice for flea control, because it doesn’t contain an insect growth regulator (IGR). IGRs remain active for 7 months, preventing flea eggs and larvae from becoming adults. This provides long-term control and prevention. Precor 2000 Plus is a good flea premise spray containing methoprene, an IGR.
| Product name | Hot Shot Bedbug & Flea Killer Spray |
| Active ingredients | 0.025% prallethrin 0.005% gamma-cyhalothrin 99.970% other ingredients |
| Target pest | Bed bugs, fleas, dust mites & ticks |
| Kills | Adults, eggs & larvae |
| Duration | n/a |
| Size | 17.5 ounces |
| Capacity | n/a |
| Application | Aerosol spray |
| Use on | Home premises |
| Manufacturer | Spectrum Group |
| UPC | 071121961143 |
| Product label | view |
| MSDS | view |
| Shop | Amazon.com |
| Price | $9 |
| Customer reviews | Read reviews |
| Competitors | Browse premise sprays |
- Prices are based on Amazon.com at time of publishing.
Details
How Hot Shot Bedbug & Flea Killer Works
Prallethrin & Gamma-Cyhalothrin
Prallethrin and cyhalothrin are pyrethroid insecticides. Gamma-cyhalothrin is a single isomer of cyhalothrin, and thus shares the same physical, chemical, and biological properties. Pyrethroids are synthetic derivatives of an organic insecticide found in Chrysanthemum flowers called pyrethrum. Pyrethroids are generally altered to be more chemically stable than pyrethrum. Pyrethroids work as insect neurotoxins. They affect the insect’s nervous system by causing spasms, paralysis, and ultimately death.
When HotShot is sprayed, the emerged adults in the environment will be rapidly killed. Unfortunately, only 1-5% of flea populations consist of adult stages, and most of these live permanently on the animal host. Thus, few adults will be in the environment at any given time.
The bulk of infestations (95-99%) consist of eggs, larvae, and pupae living in the environment. Many live deep within substrates where light can’t reach (e.g. base of carpets). There, they are protected from control measures, as sprays and can vacuuming can’t penetrate deep enough. Many will survive to emerge as adult fleas. Adding to this problem, pyrethroids have a short duration of activity compared to insect growth regulators (IGR).
Precor 2000 Plus
Precor 2000 Plus contains an IGR, which is important for flea control.
Competitor Comparison
HotShot Bedbug & Flea Killer isn’t the best choice to fight fleas. This is because it doesn’t contain an IGR, which important for flea control. Young fleas live deep in the environment where sprays can’t penetrate. An IGR is more effective than traditional insecticides because it lasts 7 months. Fleas present at the time of spraying may not die, but new eggs that fall onto the IGR-treated surfaces won’t survive. Thus, after treatment, the new adults that emerge should be the last generation. Precor 2000 Plus is a relatively cheap premise spray that contains an IGR.
Instructions
The following instructions were taken from Hot Shot’s product label. Before using the product, view the label for the full directions and precautionary statements.
READ ENTIRE LABEL BEFORE USE.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. For indoor residential use only.
HOW TO USE
Shake well before using. Spray surfaces until wet, moving the spray rapidly to prevent excessive wetting and waste of product. Point spray away from people, pets and plants. Do not use as a room spray.
Remove pets and cover aquariums before spraying. Do not allow the spray to contact food or food-contacting surfaces. Thoroughly wash dishes, utensils and countertops with soap and water if they are sprayed with this product.
WHERE TO USE
TO KILL FLEAS AND BROWN DOG TICKS: Spray infested areas such as pet beds and resting quarters, nearby cracks and crevices, along and behind baseboards, window and door frames and localized areas of floor coverings where these pests may be present. Test inconspicuous sample of fabric or rug for staining before use. Old bedding of pets should be removed and cleaned or replaced with clean, fresh bedding after treatment of pet area. Do not treat pets with this product. To control the source of flea infestations, treat your pet with a product registered for animal application. Also treat your yard with a product registered for yard application.
TO KILL BED BUGS AND BED BUG EGGS: Apply as a spot treatment to cracks and crevices, around baseboards, floorboards, bedboards and walls. Allow treated surfaces to dry thoroughly before use. Repeat after four weeks if necessary. For persistent infestations consult a professional applicator. To treat beds for bed bugs and bed bug eggs: Disassemble the bed frame and remove bedding. Do not apply product to bedding. Wash bedding and dry using medium to high heat to kill bed bugs. Apply this product to the bed frame, mattress and box spring. Application to mattresses and box springs is intended for treatment of seams, edges and tufts only. Do not saturate the mattress or box spring. Do not treat the entire surface of the mattress or box spring. Allow the spray to dry before using the mattress and/or box spring. Also apply the product to cracks and crevices in the sleeping area. Make spot treatments to baseboards, behind pictures/wall hangings, along and underneath carpet edges and other articles/furniture in the bedroom or sleeping area. Do not apply to stuffed animals or toys. To treat luggage for bed bugs: Remove contents and spot treat areas that may harbor bed bugs, concentrating on corners, pockets inside the luggage and seams. Allow luggage to dry before reuse.
TO KILL DUST MITES: Thoroughly vacuum entire room, concentrating on areas where dust mites congregate such as headboards, walls, floors, carpeting and baseboards. Apply as a spot treatment to those areas.
STORAGE AND DISPOSAL
Store in cool, dry area away from heat or open flame. Do Not Puncture or Incinerate! If empty: Nonrefillable container. Do not reuse or refill this container. Place in trash or offer for recycling, if available. If partly filled: Call your local solid waste agency for disposal instructions.
Tips for Success
Target Hot-Spots
Flea hot-spots occur where pets spend a lot of time grooming, eating, and sleeping. This is because eggs are laid on the host, but they aren’t sticky and soon fall off. Upon hatching, the larvae require feces from adult fleas for food. Fleas defecate on their host, and the drying feces can get stuck in pet fur. Host grooming dislodges both eggs and feces. Thus, favored grooming locations tend to be flea-prone areas.
When spraying, be thorough and treat the entire infested room. However, special attention should be given to potential or identified hot-spots. If follow-up treatments are necessary, they can often be limited to the hot-spots.
Have Realistic Expectations
Having proper expectations can help ease stress. No flea control method or product will end an infestation immediately. Immature flea stages live protected in the environment (e.g. base of carpets), where sprays and vacuums can’t reach. Before an infestation ends, all of these young stages must mature, emerge as adults, and die. This usually takes around 8 weeks. As a result, it is normal to continue seeing new adult fleas appear during this time.
Pre-Emerged Adults
Upon maturing, adult fleas can choose to stay inside their cocoons. These pre-emerged adults cause significant control issues, because they can enter into a quiescent state up 5 months. However, they will rapidly wake up and emerge upon sensing a host. The two cues are heat and pressure on the cocoon. Vacuuming is one way to simulate these host cues and trigger emergence.
Vacuuming Procedure
Vacuum carpeting before spraying. Vacuuming will make carpet fibers stand up, so then the insecticide can penetrate deeper. After spraying, don’t vacuum until the carpets completely dry. Then vacuum at least every other day. Studies have shown that vacuuming shouldn’t reduce the efficacy of flea insecticides. It may actually help by causing cocooned adults to emerge into the adulticide.
Premise Sprays Aren’t Enough
Adult fleas account for 1-5% of flea populations and live on animals. Once they find a host, they won’t leave of their own volition. So, even with carpets properly treated, the adults will continue to thrive on dogs and cats. Each female flea lays 25 eggs a day. If any eggs fall onto an untreated surface, then the flea infestation will continue.
An integrated approach is the best way to control fleas. Treat the environment, treat pets, and establish a regular vacuuming routine. This kind of regime will result in establishing control quickly, and maintaining control until eradication.
You must log in to post a comment. Log in now.