New Bed Bug Insecticides: What 8 Companies Developed Over the Past 10 Years

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Key point in one sentence: As bed bug resistance grows stronger, new insecticides over the past 10 years have taken three paths — multi-mode-of-action formulas, fungal biopesticides and physical dusts; when choosing a product, look at the mode of action, and don’t rely on traditional pyrethroids alone.

Illustration of a laboratory developing new insecticides
Illustration (AI generated)

Bed bugs are growing ever more resistant to traditional insecticides (especially pyrethroids), and the old products work less and less well. Over the past 10 years, pesticide makers and biotech companies have developed new bed bug products and technologies. All 8 items below are verified against public sources, listed by year.

Illustration of spraying insecticide along bed frame gaps
Illustration (AI generated)

1. MGK — CrossFire (2016)

In 2016, US company MGK launched CrossFire, available as both a concentrate and an aerosol. Its three-way formula (clothianidin + metofluthrin + piperonyl butoxide) uses multiple modes of action, designed specifically for bed bugs already resistant to pyrethroids. It kills eggs too, with residual effect lasting 30 days. Source: PCT (US pest management industry media): https://www.pctonline.com/article/slingshot/

Close-up illustration of fungal spores and dust particles
Illustration (AI generated)

2. ConidioTec — Aprehend Fungal Biopesticide (2017)

The technology comes from Penn State University and was commercialised by ConidioTec in 2017. The active ingredient is an oil formulation of Beauveria bassiana fungal spores: bed bugs that crawl across a treated surface become infected and die within 4–10 days, and the spores spread from bug to bug. It is harmless to humans and pets, kills pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs, and remains effective for up to 3 months. It is one of the most closely watched non-chemical bed bug solutions in recent years. Sources: AgroPages: https://news.agropages.com/News/print-48119.htm; PCT: https://www.pctonline.com/article/a-fungus-among-us-that-kills-bed-bugs/

3. Terramera — PROOF Bed Bug Nest Killer (c. 2019)

Canadian company Terramera’s plant-based product takes the form of a vapour pad, not a spray: plant-derived vapour can penetrate mattresses, luggage and other items that are hard to spray, reaching bed bugs hiding deep inside. It is registered with the US EPA. Source: Green Lodging News: https://www.greenlodgingnews.com/proof-launches-sprayless-treatment-for-bed-bugs/

4. BASF — PT Alpine Flea & Bed Bug (c. 2023)

BASF’s pressurised aerosol product, with three active ingredients: dinotefuran (a low-risk ingredient) + prallethrin + pyriproxfen (an insect growth regulator, IGR). One can treats a whole home and can be sprayed directly on mattresses, knocking down bed bugs within 30 minutes. Source: BASF website: https://PESTCONTROL.BASF.US/products/pt–alpine–flea—bed-bug-pressurized-insecticide.html

5. Andermatt × ConidioTec — Aprehend Arrives in Europe (c. 2023)

Andermatt partnered with ConidioTec to reformulate Aprehend using a South African strain and pursue EU biocide registration, preparing to enter the European market. It marks the move of fungal biopesticides from the US onto the international stage. Source: Pest Magazine (UK independent industry media): https://www.pestmagazine.co.uk/news/products/andermatt-partners-with-conidiotec-to-launch-a-novel-b-bassiana-bed-bug-product-in-europe.html

6. Envu (formerly Bayer Environmental Science) — Temprid Dust (June 2024)

Envu launched Temprid Dust in June 2024: a silica aerogel carrier combined with beta-cyfluthrin + flupyradifurone (a butenolide with a brand-new mode of action), a dual-mode-of-action bed bug killer. In dry, undisturbed environments the dust can remain effective for years, with immediate contact kill against resistant bed bugs. Source: PCT: https://www.pctonline.com/news/envu-introduces-temprid-dust-bed-bugs/

7. Syngenta — PLINAZOLIN, a Brand-New Active Ingredient (November 2025)

The biggest single story of the past 10 years. Syngenta spent 12 years and about US$320 million developing isocycloseram (technical brand name PLINAZOLIN), an IRAC Group 30 product with a brand-new mode of action (a GABA receptor antagonist) — the industry’s first new active ingredient with a new mode of action in 20 years. It is non-repellent and not a pyrethroid. In November 2025 it received formal US EPA registration, with the EPA explicitly listing bed bugs among the target pests. One thing to note: the first commercial product is Vanecto gel bait for cockroaches (federally registered December 2025); a bed-bug-specific product has not yet been announced. Sources: US EPA (official): https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/epa-announces-final-registration-new-pesticide-isocycloseram; PCT: https://www.pctonline.com/article/leading-with-rd-oct-2025/

8. Rockwell Labs Acquires ConidioTec / Aprehend (August 2025)

From 1 August 2025, the Aprehend business moved under Rockwell Labs, pairing with its CimeXa silica dust as a “one-two punch” bed bug combination. ConidioTec’s founder continues to support the transition. Sources: PCT: https://www.pctonline.com/news/rockwell-labs-acquires-aprehend/; PMP: https://www.mypmp.net/from-pestworld-to-partnership-how-rockwell-labs-acquired-aprehend/

A Few Honest Notes

No local pesticide R&D company news could be found in Chinese-language channels (including Hong Kong) — only retail product promotions, which are not included. Some sources above are company press releases or trade media, not independent academic verification, so read them with a discount. Purely academic-stage work (such as RNAi and cold plasma technology) has no commercial product yet and is not included. New insecticides are mainly for professional pest control companies; DIY users should follow safety guidance and not buy professional products to use on their own.

References

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