Continuing from Friday…

Complaints about these bed bug products with natural properties are likely what have landed these two companies in particular in serious trouble with the Federal Trade Commission.  These two lawsuits have sent a powerful message to all companies that are making false claims about their bed bug products, yet many companies continue to exist, and are continuing to make similar claims without real scientific data to back up their claims of success.

Current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations do not regulate companies that use products that are considered “Minimum Risk Pesticides” as the EPA has deemed them to be “demonstrably safe” for use in the pest control industry.  These products are categorized under section 25(b) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.  Because of the false claims and the lack of effective rates, many industry experts are asking that these products be regulated by the same EPA standards that exist for conventional pesticides.

For these lawsuits, one company, whose bed bug products contain peppermint, lemongrass, cinnamon, and clove oils (sounds delicious), has agreed to settle their lawsuit with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for $250,000 according to reports by PCT on December 28, 2012.  The other company in question, Cedarcide Industries, which manufactures products under the name BEST Yet! is fighting the allegations set forth by the FTC.

The old saying applies to these bed bug remedies…”If it sounds too good to be true…then it probably is!”  Those who have used “natural” bed bug products know that they do not work at killing bed bugs, except perhaps when used directly on contact with the pests. The only way to fully eradicate bed bugs is to hire a licensed pest control professional with proper experience in bed bug elimination procedures.