Insects, including bugs, beetles, ants, and cockroaches, are a real nuisance if they infest your house.
Conventional insect killers effectively kill and eliminate them, but the real problem is that they are not environmentally friendly or safe. Moreover, infestations soon reappear out of the blue.
Insect Growth Regulators are a group of chemical insecticides that mimic insects’ hormones and thus interfere with their biological processes, such as reproduction and growth. This way, the insects fail to transform into adults, and infestation is halted.
I have been trying and testing different types of insect growth regulators for quite some time. I have reviewed these products based on their availability, ease of use, effectiveness, safety, and price.
Here are the 5 Best Insect Growth Regulators,
- Gentrol® Point Source Control Device (Extremely safe, keeps control over 90 days, treats up to 75 square feet area)
- Gentrol® IGR Concentrate (Highly effective with 9% active ingredient, best for restaurants, hotels, and kitchens, keeps working for 120 days )
- Gentrol® Complete Aerosol (Easy to use, target hard to reach areas, and is cheap)
- Zenprox® EC (Highly concentrated, effective against 27 different insects, also keeps eggs from hatching)
- Essentria® G Granule Insecticide (Excellent for outdoors, gardens, and pot plants, keep plant pests in check for a long)
What is IGR (Insect Growth Regulator; History)
Conventional insect killers effectively kill and eliminate bugs and cockroaches, but the real problem is that they are not environmentally friendly or safe. Moreover, infestations soon reappear out of the blue.
Scientists, chemists, and entomologists have been searching for solutions to these problems for quite a long.
In the 1960s, a group of researchers at Zoecon (Greek for life control) research facility discovered/created a unique class of chemicals called terpenoids. It includes methoprene, hydroprene, and kinoprene.
These chemicals are environmentally friendly and safe. They are now simply known as Insect growth regulators and have revolutionized insect control forever.
Like humans, insects require hormones for proper functioning, growth, and reproduction.
The concentration of these hormones is precisely tailored by nature. Any changes in their concentration, even by a femtoliter, can disturb the entire functioning.
Insect growth regulators are chemicals that resemble hormones and easily interfere with natural hormones.
Once IGR interferes with the hormones of insects, including bugs, roaches, and flees, they fail to transform into adults, reproduce or function properly.
That is how they control these pests without affecting humans, pets, or the natural environment.
5 Best Insect Growth Regulators
I tried and tested these products to ensure you do not have to. Here are my top picks; I have individually scored each product based on some parameters such as effectiveness, ease of use, safety, availability, and price
1. Gentrol® Point Source Control Device
This IGR tops my list of best insect growth repellents because it is easy to use, stays effective for a long time, and can be placed anywhere.
Gentrol point source control device works by inhibiting Molting. This is when roaches shed their skin to become white cockroaches (Also known as Albino Roach).
The presence of these hormones signals the roaches not to shed their skin yet, and this way, the small roaches will never grow into adult roaches.
All you have to do is install one device per infested room in a hidden place, and you will be all good for three months.
For better results, invest in bait to finish the adult roaches. Also, seal all entry points, so you don’t have roaches from the outside. The complete recipe is as follows.
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- For areas where spraying isn't acceptable
- Best for home
- 1 Disc treats up to 75 sq. ft.
- Keeps working for three months
- Not messy and easy to use
| Factors | Gentrol® Point Source |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | 8 |
| Ease of Use | 9 |
| Safety | 9 |
| Availability | Easily Available |
| Price | Ok |
| Forms | Plastic non-electronic device |
2. Gentrol® IGR Concentrate
This product is a lethal weapon against several home intruders, including bed bugs, cockroaches, fleas, and beetles.
Due to the high concentration of Hydroprene (9%), I found it very effective, and it remained working for almost 120 days. All you need to do is spray it around the infested places in your house and wait for the results.
However, this product is for commercial applications and is suitable for hotels, restaurants, and large mansions. You do not need it for a small house with a mild infestation; instead, go for cheaper IGR.
- 9% Active Ingredient
- Target all pests
- Best for use in Food and non-food areasÂ
- Keeps working for 4 months.
| Factors | Gentrol® IGR Concentrate |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | 9 |
| Ease of Use | 7 |
| Safety | 8 |
| Availability | Easily Available |
| Price | Expensive |
| Forms | Liquid |
3. Gentrol® Complete Aerosol
The best thing about Gentrol aerosol spray is that it is cheap compared to other products. Moreover, it has a nozzle that helps spray in hard-to-reach areas like behind the furniture, cabinets, and inside the vents.
The aerosol spray can reach up to 12 inches in any direction and keeps working for two months. Moreover, I found it odorless and was satisfied with the results.
- Best for hard-to-reach areas
- Can reach up to 12 inches
- Keeps working for two months
- Cheap
| Factors | Gentrol® Complete Aerosol |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | 8 |
| Ease of Use | 9 |
| Safety | 8 |
| Availability | Easily Available |
| Price | cheap |
| Forms | Aerosol |
4. Zenprox® EC
Zenprox EC is another concentrated solution containing a high percentage of active ingredients. It is also intended for commercial application but can be used at home or office.
All you need to do is mix the solution into the water and spray it around the house, especially in hidden places. You can also spray it directly on bedsheets or sofas in diluted form, and it will not leave a stain.
The other beauty of this product is that it can also be used outdoors on plants and will eliminate almost all forms of plant pests.
Zentrol EC kills bugs on contact and will keep bugs in check for you for up to 4 months due to its hormonal effect. After that, you need to reapply it.
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- Kill over 25 different insects on contact
- Suitable for indoor use.
- Keeps bugs out for four months
- Pet safe
- Stain clothing
| Factors | Zenprox® EC |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | 9 |
| Ease of Use | 7 |
| Safety | 7 |
| Availability | Easily Available |
| Price | More Expensive |
| Forms | concentrated Solution |
5. Essentria® G Granule Insecticide
This is yet another exciting product from Zoecon because it comes in granules. The granules kill by contact as it damages the exoskeleton, and the natural oils act as a repellent.
I found it best for ground-dwelling insects but moderately effective for houseplants. Large quantities can also burn your plant leaves, so use them in fewer quantities.
Lots of water also vanes the product efficacy therefore make sure not to completely submerge the granules into the water.
- Safe for use in the environment and on plants
- Works on a wide range of plant pests
- Contains Eugenol and Thyme OilÂ
- Ideal for sensitive areas and organic pest control programs
| Factors | Essentria® G Granule Insecticide |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | 7.5 |
| Ease of Use | 7 |
| Safety | 6 |
| Availability | some time shortage |
| Price | Expensive |
| Forms | small granules |
Conclusion!
The insect growth regulator is an excellent product that will keep bugs in check for you. However, it is essential to know that it does not work instantaneously. You have to wait to see the results.
Moreover, every product is effective however you need to buy the product based on your needs.
