How does Karbofos powder work on bed bugs - customer reviews, instructions for using the product, how to dilute the drug to kill bed bugs

Effective composition and product forms

The drug contains many components. However, only one substance exhibits insecticidal activity - malathion. This is an insecticide of the organophosphate class, characterized by universal action and high efficiency. In addition, the composition includes the following components:

• surfactant;
• emulsifier;
• flavoring

Commercially available release forms:

• concentrated liquid;
• ready-to-use working solution (water-based, contains a small amount of the drug);
• powder is a dry substance.

The latter type is available in bags of different sizes. Liquid products can be purchased in ampoules, vials, bottles and even canisters. When choosing, you should consider the purpose for which the drug is being purchased. You can process objects for various purposes:

• private housing;
• industrial premises;
• warehouses;
• commercial and other institutions;

• personal plots and farms;
• application in veterinary medicine;
• treatment for pediculosis.

Karbofos granules

Karbofos in liquid form

Operating principle of Karbofos

Malathion is an insecticide from the group of organophosphorus compounds.

It is characterized by a lack of color, an oily structure, and a pronounced unpleasant odor. The substance is difficult to dissolve in water; solvents are used to obtain a uniform consistency. Hydrolysis (destruction) is promoted by liquid, but this process develops slowly under such conditions. Acid and alkaline environments accelerate the decomposition of the substance.

When malathion enters the body of blood-sucking parasites, it is converted, resulting in the release of another substance, malaoxone. It is noteworthy that the physiological activity of this compound is much higher. The process of converting malathion into malaoxon develops primarily in the body of blood-sucking and other insects.

This explains the moderate toxicity towards humans and a more aggressive effect on pests.

Another difference is that malathion hydrolyzes much more slowly after ingestion by insects. For this reason, the substance will remain in the body for a long time. However, the parasites will most likely die from prolonged exposure to the poison.

An interesting feature of malathion is that with the systematic use of such a substance, resistance to the poison develops in insects. In addition, when pests develop resistance, their bodies acquire the ability to break down the insecticide into simple components that do not have a toxic effect. In this case, malathion becomes useless.

In addition, against the background of developing resistance, insects acquire resistance to other substances of the organophosphate group.

With frequent use of this drug, bedbugs can get used to the poison

Effect of Karbofos on bedbugs, their larvae and eggs

The drug affects the nervous system of parasites.

It contributes to disruption of the transmission of nerve impulses. As a result, it becomes possible to quickly destroy bedbugs. They first lose the ability to move, eat, and stop reproducing. At the last stage, the pests die. Exactly the same effect is achieved when the poison enters the body of young individuals.

However, the larvae are more quickly exposed to the drug, which is due to the incompletely formed outer integument. In this case, the insecticide almost instantly corrodes the cuticle and easily penetrates the body. The outer covers of the larvae are formed in stages. The parasites shed their shells several times until they reach adult size. By that time, the cuticle is completely formed.

Karbofos has an ambiguous effect on bedbug eggs.

It is safe to say that it has a detrimental effect on all forms of life, however, such a remedy is not considered one of the effective against the offspring of bedbugs (protected by the shell). But the drug can still destroy some of the eggs.

The drug acts on the nervous system of parasites

Karbofos: composition, effect on bedbugs and more

The active component of the product is malathion, a powerful insecticidal and acaricidal substance from the class of organophosphorus compounds. It belongs to the third class of toxicity, but in large doses it is very dangerous for humans and warm-blooded animals. Malathion has a characteristic odor, which many manufacturers specifically enhance with various flavors so that the aroma warns people and animals about the danger of contact with this substance.

Karbofos is available in the form of powder, emulsion (both must be diluted in water, and the concentration depends on who needs to be destroyed) and in diluted form.

Like most insecticidal agents, Karbofos acts contact and nerve paralytically: malathion penetrates under the chitinous cover of the insect and disrupts the transmission of nerve impulses between cells, which is why the “nerve chain” is closed all the time, after a while paralysis and death of the parasite occurs. Malathion itself is a very powerful acaricidal substance, but it has one peculiarity: when it enters the insect’s body, it turns into malaoxon, which has the same effect on the nervous system, but is much more effective. Moreover, this transformation of one substance into another is characteristic only of the organism of insects; in plants, humans and warm-blooded animals such a reaction is practically not observed.

Another feature of malaoxon is that it breaks down very slowly in the insect’s body. If malathion enters the body of a person or warm-blooded animal, the substance will disintegrate quite quickly, without having time to turn into malaoxone. In insects, the transformation of one component into another occurs in a short period of time; the activity of the substances is very high, so they do not disintegrate until the death of the pest. Thus, we can say that Karbofos acts selectively - only on insects.

Although malathion turns into malaoxone and paralyzes insects, this substance is not always effective against bed bugs. Repeated studies have shown that with each generation of parasites they become resistant to malaxion, moreover, they can even destroy it, turning it into less toxic compounds. Therefore, the more often Karbofos is used, the less dangerous it becomes for insects. However, this also applies to other insecticidal agents.

The following advantages of Karbofos can be highlighted:

• the effectiveness of the product is visible after the first use,
• the components remain active for the next 2 months after treatment,
• ease of use: powder and emulsion must be diluted in water in a certain ratio,
• malathion is able to penetrate even the shell of eggs, thereby destroying both adults and their offspring,
• general availability and low price: 60 g of powder - 60–80 rubles, 1 liter of emulsion - 150 rubles,

However, the product also has disadvantages:

• malathion causes mutations in the insect's body, as a result of which subsequent generations (if someone survived after the first treatment) are already more resistant to the compound and are able to destroy it,
• the drug has a disgusting pungent odor,

This drug has much more advantages than disadvantages; it is very effective, affordable, and therefore is one of the most popular insect repellents, especially for bed bugs.

Instructions for use

Karbofos against bedbugs has been used for many years. However, it is possible to obtain the desired processing result only if the rules for using the drug are followed. Main stages:

1. They prepare the room, which ensures 50% success.
2. The electricity is turned off at the entrance to the apartment (on the panel).
3. The solution is being prepared. The amount of product (concentrated liquid) can be 2-5 ml per 1 liter of water. There is no need to choose the option at your own discretion. It is necessary to assess the condition of the apartment. If there are a lot of parasites, there is a strong smell, and large nests are found, we can talk about a severe infection of the object. In this case, you need to mix the drug with water in an amount of 5 ml/1 l. When there are few bites on the body, there is no smell of the house yet, and the furniture outside and inside is not contaminated with parasite excrement, it is enough to add 2 ml of the drug Karbofos against bedbugs to the water.
4. Processing in progress (with windows and doors closed)
5. The premises are left for several hours. The rule applies: the longer people are away from home, the better.
6. Upon returning, you should ventilate the room, but for at least 30 minutes. In this case, it is also recommended to keep the windows and door open for as long as possible, especially if you plan to immediately spend the night in the apartment. This is done so that the rich unpleasant odor disappears.
7. Partial cleaning is carried out - it is allowed to remove the insecticidal film from those surfaces that will be used immediately (door handles, furniture armrests).

You can completely clean your apartment of any remaining poison in 2-4 weeks. By this time, the insecticide will lose its properties, from the eggs that survived, larvae will appear and will also receive a dose of poison, which means they will die before they can reach sexual maturity and make the first clutch.

Treatment must be carried out using a respirator.

Download the official instructions for use of the drug Karbofos

REMINDER ON THE CORRECT USE OF KARBOFOS

How to breed "Karbofos"

The drug "Karbofos" can be found in almost every household chemical store. There are two forms of release of this product:

1. Water emulsion . The main advantage of this form is the ease of breeding. It is a clear liquid that has a slightly yellowish tint. The emulsion is produced in ampoules, small bottles and large canisters of 1 and 5 liters. The main disadvantage is the high cost of this form of the drug.
2. Powder . The drug is available in packages of 30, 60 and more grams. Unlike aqueous emulsion, this form of release is widely popular due to its low price. The effectiveness of the powder is no different from the emulsion.

The packaging of the drug indicates the dilution rules. So, if you use an aqueous emulsion, for every liter of water you will need 2 ml of the drug. In case of severe infection, its concentration can be increased to 5 ml. For the same volume of water you will need 4-5 grams of powder, depending on the number of parasites in the home. Karbofos can also be used for preventive purposes. To do this, it is recommended to use a solution of low concentration.

Preparing the area for disinfestation

When you plan to use Karbofos against bedbugs, the instructions for use must be studied, but it is important to read the extended version. The brief recommendations presented on the drug label do not indicate how to prepare the room for treatment:

1. Particular attention is paid to the area where the sleeping place is located: a bed or a sofa. It is not recommended to treat the mattress with the product, as it will leave a strong odor that will be difficult to remove. Hot steam is used to clean it. But first you need to install the mattress near the wall. The bed frame is additionally disassembled if it has a complex configuration. The same is done with the sofa when it does not fold out.
2. The walls are cleared of any objects. Check the wallpaper. However, if leaks are detected at the joints, you should not immediately spray insecticide there. It is characterized by an oily structure. To avoid leaving traces, it is better to treat the wallpaper with another product.
3. Furniture is moved away from the walls. It is important that there are no things inside. If they are in poor condition (infested, like other items in the house), resort to the high-temperature washing method. Then clothes, bedding, blankets, blankets and pillows are hermetically sealed using polyethylene.
4. The carpet is rolled up to cover the joints of parquet/laminate/linoleum. If the back side of the coating is also infected, you can treat these areas with the drug.

Before processing, you need to move the furniture and remove the mattress

Where to poison bedbugs

It is necessary to treat areas where a person sleeps. Here, within a radius of 1-2 m, there can be parasites everywhere. Their probable habitats:

• sofa, bed - frame;
• curtains;
• bedside tables;
• carpet covering;
• baseboards;

• sofa, bed - frame;
• curtains;
• bedside tables;
• carpet covering;
• baseboards;

Anatoly, 33 years old, Ekaterinburg

I had bed bugs in my home; I didn’t expect such a turn of events when I returned from a business trip. It turns out that he brought them from somewhere himself. I treated the bedroom with Karbofos, the smell was terrible for 3 days. All this time I spent a long time ventilating the room. But the parasites died. I’m just not sure that I’ll use this product in the bedroom again.

Vera, 39 years old, Samara

The drug even helps against insect eggs. The bedbugs in my house disappeared after a single treatment. But I decided to dilute the drug, as for a case of severe infection, even though I had few parasites.

Inga, 34 years old, Kerch

Karbofos kills everyone. I poisoned bedbugs, and also found the corpses of cockroaches behind the refrigerator.

Traces of bedbugs on the baseboard

Traces of bedbugs in the seams of the mattress

Pros and cons of using Karbofos

The drug proves to be one of the most effective in the fight against blood-sucking insects. This is explained by the properties of malathion:

• aggressive effect on the body, which allows you to quickly destroy insects;
• the drug is less toxic to people;
• versatility - Karbofos destroys any pests;

• the drug can be used to treat various objects: private houses, warehouses, commercial enterprises, industrial buildings, etc.;
• prolonged action.

Negative qualities:

• the risk of developing resistance, not only to malathion, but also to other organophosphates;
• intense odor that is difficult to remove.

The product is intended for treating any premises

Which release form is better?

Concentrated liquid products have significant advantages: high toxicity and uniform distribution of the substance over coatings. When using a working solution based on the bedbug repellent Karbofos, the drug begins to act correctly on parasites. When the powder crumbles, areas free from the substance remain. This reduces processing efficiency.

From a convenience point of view, it is better to purchase a ready-made drug. Then you won't have to waste time mixing the components.

Karbofos - what is it

This remedy is effective in combating parasites at all stages of their life (eggs, larvae, young and adult individuals). Karbofos is a universal dark brown liquid with a pungent odor. Using karbofos, you can get rid of a wide range of pests:

• aphids
• codling moths
• spider mite
• weevil
• bedbug

This product contains the following active ingredients:

• malathion (sulfur-containing active compound)
• phosphorus ester, which have a detrimental effect on the biorhythmic functioning of parasites.

The drug affects the nerve endings of insects, affects important vital organs, breaks into paralysis, leading to the death of organisms.

Characteristics

• easily ignites in open fire;
• effective in combating various parasites at all stages of existence;
• has a high interaction with solvents and is poorly soluble in water;
• is destroyed under the influence of alkaline solutions;
• has high volatility, which increases with increasing temperature;
• the drug has a lasting effect under temperature changes and exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

This product should not be used during the flowering period of plants, as it may kill bees. Karbofos is inexpensive and is freely sold in retail chains. It has proven itself as an effective and quickly killing agent for various types of insects, including bedbugs, and contains a high concentration of toxic substances.

The bedbug repellent Karbofos may sometimes not be effective in controlling bedbugs. This is due to resistance to exposure. By using the drug repeatedly, bed bugs can break down malathion, converting it into a less toxic compound. This occurs due to mutations in the genetic apparatus of insects. Using Karbofos constantly means causing insects to become addicted to this poison.

Precautions for use

You need to wear protective equipment when working. Without a respirator, gloves made of polymer material and goggles, you should not start the processing procedure. For this reason, it is important to prepare all the tools so that they are at hand. Moreover, the respirator provides respiratory protection even when using powder, since particles rise into the air.

To avoid negative consequences, all precautions must be taken

The benefits and harms of Karbofos

The level of toxicity of the drug is important for humans. Karbofos is less aggressive towards warm-blooded animals. It has a completely different effect on pests. However, when spraying there is still a risk of penetration of a significant dose of the substance into the human body.

Manifestations of toxic effects on humans and domestic animals

There are no negative signs upon contact with skin.

This is due to the weak skin-resorptive effect of the insecticide. When malathion enters the body of animals and humans, it is often converted into harmless compounds and is quickly excreted through urination.

Sometimes isomerization of the substance occurs, as a result, an even more toxic component is released. The first signs of poisoning do not appear immediately: inhibition, depression of consciousness.

Later, motor activity is disrupted (against the background of overexcitation), then vomiting occurs, salivation increases, convulsions and tremors are observed.

Anastasia, 32 years old, Saratov

I almost suffered from the drug Karbofos for bedbugs, I read the reviews, but I decided that everything would be okay, because... I'm not allergic. But no, weakness and inhibition of reactions appeared. I immediately asked my husband to take me to the hospital.

Marina, 27 years old, Moscow

I came to visit my relatives, and the other day they exterminated insects with Karbofos. The smell, of course, remained. And I have a terrible allergy, and not just a rash, but immediate breathing problems. I had to go back home the same day, they supposedly didn’t know that I had such a serious allergy.

Anna, 43 years old, Chelyabinsk

I was poisoned with Karbofos once. Vomiting appeared first, then there were convulsions. My husband and I treated the room with the windows closed, wearing respirators, but without glasses, maybe that’s the point.

Nest of bedbugs on a mattress

Application + precautions

A number of important recommendations have been developed for the safe use of Karbofos. Before using the drug, it is necessary to remove household utensils to prevent the possibility of chemicals settling on them. It is also worth paying attention to personal protective equipment - be sure to use gloves, safety glasses, a respiratory mask and a hat. Be sure to remove small children and pets from the premises.

Once in the human body, malathion is converted into malaoxone and is not capable of causing serious harm, however, safety measures should not be neglected, since in large quantities it can cause poisoning with accompanying symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and headaches.

The treatment of the premises itself is carried out in the same way as with any other chemical substances of a similar type. The emulsion concentrate - 2-5 ml - is diluted per liter of water, after which the resulting liquid is sent to a regular spray bottle and sprayed over all places that may be a habitat for bedbugs. This includes the inside area of ​​the bed and sofa, the back of the sofa, baseboards, and the joints of walls and ceilings.

ATTENTION! The surfaces of absorbent materials must be treated much more carefully, increasing the volume of injected liquid. Non-absorbent materials, on the other hand, should not be sprayed too heavily.

Having completed the treatment with Karbofos, first wash your hands with clean water, after soaping them generously. Don’t forget to wash your personal protective equipment afterwards. It is advisable to do this in soapy water and add a little baking soda. Also open the doors and windows in the room to create a draft that will “air out” all the deposited chemical elements. Regularly ventilate the room for at least four hours a day, because this is the key to your future comfortable life in the house.

After three days, you should repeat the disinfection procedure. We advise residents of the home to move out while the treatment is being carried out, but this recommendation is not mandatory. After returning home, be sure to wipe the floors with a damp cloth, and disinfect the handles of doors, windows and other objects that residents touch with a soda solution.

IMPORTANT! It must be remembered that after this, general cleaning is allowed only after two months.

If you follow all the recommendations correctly, you are guaranteed to get the desired result. However, practice shows that many encounter unsuccessful application experiences. This is mainly due to the insufficient quality of room treatment. Often, careless owners try to save time and treat only one room, while the rest are left untreated. We advise you not to make such a mistake, since parasites tend to move around the house and sooner or later return to the disinfected area. Be sure to block possible entry points for parasites from other rooms.

Where to buy the drug and at what price

Not only the properties of malathion are being studied. It is equally important for the buyer to understand where it is more profitable to buy the product. The table shows offers from some stores in different regions.

The cost depends on the volume of packaging and the structure of the substance.

Customer reviews about the use of Karbofos in the fight against domestic bedbugs

Anastasia, 32 years old, Omsk

I have only used insecticide once so far. I liked the effect of the drug Karbofos against bedbugs, the reviews were not all positive, but I took a risk. There was a smell, but not too strong, I kept the windows slightly open when I carried out the treatment.

Sofia, 28 years old, Moscow

I took it from my parents in St. Petersburg. I thought that this drug would definitely help against bedbugs. When I started poisoning, I felt bad, apparently I had some kind of intolerance to the components. As a result, I called exterminators, they used another odorless product.

Maryana, 40 years old, Penza

The neighbors had bedbugs, naturally, sooner or later they had to get to us. I decided to buy Karbofos, I hear about it everywhere, everyone around me is happy. It works well, but I have not noticed that the parasites disappear as quickly as they say. I treated the apartment again after 1 week.

Vera, 43 years old, Novomoskovsk

I decided to buy Karbofos for bedbugs, I didn’t read the reviews. But I made a mistake during processing - I took the recommendations on the label as a basis, but not everything was described there. I started looking for the manufacturer's full instructions. There was a lot of advice and rules there. Hence the low processing efficiency. But I didn’t redo it, the smell was too strong.

Egor, 38 years old, Bryansk

I’ve had a sprayer in my garage for a long time, and I use it for just such things. I've already used it three times. I filled in the Karbofos solution. The bedbugs were gone on the second day, but I couldn’t sleep at home either, the smell was persistent.

Disadvantages include high toxicity and unpleasant odor.

Where to get karbofos

Today, in the age of a huge number of stores and the Internet, the question of where to buy Karbofos for bedbugs does not pose a problem. The product can be found in household chemical departments or hardware stores.

How much does Karbofos cost? Its cost, compared to many other insecticides, is quite low. Packaging the powder will cost only 40-50 rubles. For one room, 2-3 bags are enough. A 5 liter canister will cost 2.5-3 thousand, but it is still very profitable (about 500 liters of solution).

Expert advice

Evgenia Vitalievna Marinina, entomologist specialist, 16 years of work experience:

Marinina Evgenia Vitalievna

Entomologist, researcher. Work experience 16 years.

Ask a Question

• Karbofos must be applied twice; you should not rely on its ability to destroy bedbug eggs, since the protective shell of the offspring of pests is not always exposed to toxic substances, sometimes withstanding aggressive influences; • powder is not inferior in efficiency to concentrated liquid, because the dry substance can be mixed with water to obtain a working solution with the desired set of properties; • Karbofos can be used as the main control measure and for prevention; in the second case, you should buy an ampoule, taking into account the manufacturer’s recommendations, use its contents to treat places where parasites appear.

Treatment can be carried out by spraying or applying to the surface with a rag or sponge

Effect of Karbofos on bedbugs

The difficulty in removing ectoparasites lies in their resistance (addiction) to chemicals. Insects quickly adapt to negative conditions and stop reacting to poisons. If you can’t remove bedbugs yourself, you can contact a special service.

An active organophosphorus compound has a contact effect. Once on the chitinous shell of bedbugs, it immediately begins to have a toxic effect. The toxin also enters the body through the respiratory tract of insects. It has a neuroparalytic effect. Vital processes are disrupted, paralysis develops, leading to death. The peculiarity of the active substance contributes to high efficiency.

Under the influence of oxidative processes in the body of insects, malathion is converted into a more toxic substance - malaoxone. A similar reaction is not observed when it enters plants and the body of warm-blooded animals. Malathion is capable of destroying not only adults in a parasite colony. It penetrates the shell of eggs and stops the development of embryos.

Attention. Frequent use of Karbofos can cause gene mutation in bed bugs. Insects have the ability to convert poison into harmless compounds.