Zevo Bug Spray Overview (2025)
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When you’re searching for a safer bug spray to make use of round youngsters and pets, Zevo is a strong alternative — but it surely has its limits. Zevo makes use of important oils like geraniol to kill or repel widespread bugs like flies, ants, and roaches. It really works properly for mild bug issues, particularly when you spray it straight on pests. However don’t anticipate it to wipe out an infestation.
A can of Zevo sometimes prices round $7–$9, and it’s obtainable at most big-box shops. That makes it an reasonably priced instrument to maintain round for fast knockdowns or short-term repellent wants indoors or on the patio.
Nevertheless, when you’re seeing common bug exercise — particularly cockroaches, ants, or stinging bugs — you’ll want a extra aggressive therapy plan. On this overview, I’ll break down when Zevo works, when it doesn’t, and what it’s best to use as a substitute when you’re coping with extra than simply the occasional pest.
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Zevo Firm Overview
Zevo hit the market in 2018 as Procter & Gamble’s reply to rising demand for safer, pure bug sprays. After beginning on-line, sturdy gross sales pushed Zevo into main retailers by 2019 — and now it’s a daily on the cabinets of Walmart, Goal, and Residence Depot.
The model provides a number of spray formulation designed to kill bugs on contact or repel them with important oils like geraniol, cinnamon oil, and citric acid derivatives. Whereas all Zevo sprays share comparable elements, every one targets a barely completely different group of pests.
The largest attraction? Zevo is plant-based and designed to be secure for individuals, pets, and indoor use — with out the tough chemical compounds or sturdy odors you get from conventional sprays.
However right here’s the actual takeaway: Zevo is nice for infrequent use while you see just a few bugs right here and there. It’s not going to wipe out a full-blown infestation — and it wasn’t designed to.
Zevo Bug Spray Opinions
Zevo is available in many alternative bottles with completely different designs and spray strategies.
The corporate chooses to focus on sure formulation for a variety of pests that may be present in 4 completely different Zevo bottles. When it comes all the way down to it, elements are an important with spray pesticides, and Zevo broadly makes use of the identical elements in every product.
Zevo Lively Ingredient: Geraniol
Zevo leans on important oils as a substitute of artificial chemical compounds to get the job completed. The principle ingredient throughout all Zevo sprays is geraniol — a plant-derived compound present in issues like citronella and rose oil. Geraniol works by overwhelming an insect’s nervous system, inflicting confusion or paralysis. In easy phrases: bugs both die shortly or get the trace and depart.
Geraniol is stronger than lots of different “pure” choices like peppermint or lavender, which have a tendency to simply odor good with out doing a lot. It’s why Zevo can really kill bugs on contact, not simply chase them off.
Nevertheless it’s not a miracle employee. Geraniol isn’t sturdy sufficient to knock out a full infestation, particularly when you’re coping with ants, roaches, or mattress bugs nesting behind partitions or below flooring. Zevo is greatest used for spot therapies — not severe pest management.
Supporting Substances That Matter
Other than geraniol, Zevo formulation embody just a few different elements value noting:
- Isopropyl Myristate – A much less harsh cousin of rubbing alcohol, this compound helps kill bugs and dissolve their protecting outer layer. It’s particularly efficient in opposition to soft-bodied bugs like lice and gnats.
- Triethyl Citrate – That is derived from citric acid and works as an irritant to bugs. It doesn’t kill them outright, but it surely drives them away by attacking their delicate receptors.
- Isopropyl Alcohol (in some formulation) – Previous-school bug killer that also works properly on direct contact. It’s efficient however evaporates shortly, so it doesn’t depart behind an enduring kill zone.
The mix of those elements makes Zevo greater than only a scented spray — however nonetheless not as potent as artificial pesticides designed for long-term management.
Isopropyl Myristate
Isopropyl myristate is a kind of ester compound that’s strongly associated to rubbing alcohol. Though alcohol can kill and repel bugs on contact, it’s far too flammable and probably hazardous to make use of as a pesticide outright.
Isopropyl myristate is just not as potent as alcohol and exists as an important fatty acid that takes most of its properties from palm kernel oil. Though not outright harmful to people or pets, this compound is repellent to bugs, particularly head lice.
Triethyl Citrate
Citric acid is a identified insect repellent and triethyl citrate can be a kind of ester that helps flip citric acid into what it turns into. This compound is carefully associated to rubbing alcohol as properly and that is what makes it stronger as an insect repellent than straight citric acid.
Triethyl citrate is painful to the delicate anatomy of bugs and triggers their instincts to flee from it and keep away from any areas the place it has been utilized.
Does Zevo Bug Spray Work?
Sure — Zevo works, however solely below the best situations.
When you spray it straight on a bug, it normally kills on contact. That’s due to its energetic elements like geraniol and isopropyl alcohol. It additionally leaves behind a scent that repels pests for a short while — sometimes two to a few days — relying on the place it’s sprayed.
However right here’s what it received’t do:
- It received’t kill bugs after it dries. Zevo isn’t a residual spray, so as soon as the floor dries out, the killing energy is gone.
- It received’t deal with infestations. When you’re seeing clusters of ants, roaches, or flies every single day, you want a extra aggressive resolution — like a residual pesticide or skilled pest management.
Zevo is greatest used as a contact killer or short-term repellent. Maintain a can within the kitchen or by the patio door. It’s a useful instrument for the occasional fly, ant, or spider — and a safer different to harsh chemical compounds when used round youngsters or pets.
When you want long-term management, although, Zevo isn’t constructed for that job. You’ll desire a residual spray or a full pest administration plan, relying on what you’re coping with.
One-time go to
This one-time therapy consists of an inspection, analysis, therapy, and follow-up. It prices $150 to $350.
Month-to-month service
At $125 to $300 for an preliminary go to, this service consists of inspections and coverings, with month-to-month follow-ups that value between $50 to $75.
Annual service
This recurring service supplies common inspections and coverings yearly and prices between $125 to $500.
Is Zevo Protected?
Sure — Zevo is among the safer bug sprays you may hold round the home. It’s created from plant-based elements like geraniol and doesn’t comprise harsh artificial chemical compounds. Which means it’s usually secure to make use of round youngsters, pets, and even meals surfaces.
It’s additionally secure for pregnant girls and received’t trigger issues if a bit lands on a countertop or flooring. Simply wipe it down such as you would with any cleansing product.
That mentioned, secure doesn’t imply innocent — you continue to shouldn’t spray it straight on individuals, pets, or vegetation.
A Few Security Ideas:
- Don’t spray it in your pores and skin or your pet’s fur. It’s not a topical repellent.
- Keep away from direct inhalation — when you’re utilizing lots of it in a small area, crack a window.
- Don’t apply it to or round aquariums or ponds. Some elements might hurt fish or reptiles.
- Maintain it off houseplants and backyard soil — it wasn’t made for vegetation and will trigger harm.
Zevo is far safer than conventional bug sprays, however you continue to want to make use of widespread sense when making use of it.
What Bugs Does Zevo Work Towards?
Zevo is available in completely different formulations to focus on various kinds of bugs.
That is additionally one of many particulars that make Zevo such an efficient pure pesticide. Since many bugs react in a different way to pure substances, analysis and testing should be completed to find out what substances can combine and the way properly the mixtures can goal completely different species. Although there are minor variations, all 4 sprays work equally.
With this in thoughts, geraniol can kill and repel practically the entire widespread bugs and arachnids that trigger pest issues.
Let’s take an in depth have a look at every Zevo spray and the bugs it treats in opposition to.
Zevo Ant, Roach, and Spider
Zevo Ant, Roach, and Spider Killer are designed to draw, kill, and/or repel widespread crawling bugs and spiders. Crawling pests have completely different behaviors than flying pests which suggests these pests will react in a different way to sure substances and smells.
The principle ingredient on this spray that applies to crawling pests is cinnamon oil. This important oil could cause central nervous system paralysis in crawling bugs. So even when it doesn’t outright kill the pests, will probably be a robust repellent.
Zevo Fly, Gnat, and Housefly
Flies, gnats, and the widespread housefly are a few of the quickest and peskiest of all flying pests. Sprays are usually not a good suggestion when addressing these pests, however Zevo’s sturdy repellent properties will be sufficient to maintain them out of the world the place the product has been utilized.
This spray incorporates lactic acid n-butyl ester, which acts as each an attractant and repellent to those bugs concurrently. Since this spinoff of lactic acid is ester, the isopropyl alcohol traces within the ester can kill flies and gnats if they arrive into contact with the substance.
Zevo Wasp, Hornet, and Yellow Jacket
This Zevo spray goals its arsenal at hornets, wasps, and yellowjackets. When battling in opposition to these painful bugs, you in all probability need one thing a bit stronger, however the elements on this spray can probably kill these bugs on contact, so it’s value a shot if you wish to use a pure product.
Warning needs to be used when attempting to repel these pests since these bugs can turn into aggressive when agitated. The geraniol alone needs to be sufficient to possible kill stinging bugs.
Zevo Ant, Roach, and Fly
Though not a lot completely different from the Zevo Ant, Roach, and Spider Killer, this spray is labeled as extra of a multi-pest contact killer/repellent.
This system depends much less on important oils and extra on geraniol, isopropyl myristate, and triethyl citrate, and it’s also the one one of many 4 containing isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). Alcohol can kill virtually any insect when straight utilized, and can be helpful when killing giant clusters of ants, flies, and even cockroaches.
How Lengthy Does Zevo Stay Efficient?
Zevo’s repellent impact normally lasts 48 to 72 hours, but it surely relies upon closely on the place and the way you utilize it.
When sprayed on a floor — like alongside baseboards or counter tops — the important oils can linger for a few days, serving to to maintain bugs away throughout that window. However as soon as the spray dries, it now not kills bugs. Zevo isn’t a residual pesticide, so don’t anticipate it to maintain working like professional-grade therapies.
Wind, daylight, and cleansing may wipe out its effectiveness quicker, particularly outside. When you’re utilizing it exterior, the repellent impact would possibly solely final just a few hours earlier than it breaks down.
When you want lasting outcomes — for instance, to maintain ants or roaches from coming again — you’ll desire a product with a residual impact, or think about calling a pest management service.
Does Zevo Work on Mattress Bugs or Termites?
Quick reply: No. Zevo isn’t designed for these sorts of pests, and it received’t do a lot past perhaps spooking them for just a few hours.
Mattress Bugs
Mattress bugs are powerful, sneaky, and extremely resilient. They conceal deep in furnishings, partitions, and mattresses — far past the place a floor spray like Zevo can attain. Whereas the important oils in Zevo might trigger mattress bugs to scatter quickly, it received’t kill the colony or cease the infestation.
To really eliminate mattress bugs, you want focused therapy — both knowledgeable warmth therapy or EPA-registered pesticides which can be confirmed to kill them in any respect life levels. Zevo merely doesn’t have that type of firepower.
Termites
Termites are even more durable to hit with a sprig. They reside deep inside wooden and underground — not out within the open. Even when you soaked infested wooden with Zevo, it possible wouldn’t attain the colony or do lasting harm.
Termite management requires professional-grade merchandise and particular methods like bait methods or soil therapies. Zevo hasn’t been examined on termites, and utilizing it for this function is a waste of money and time.
When you’re coping with both of those pests, skip the DIY sprays. Name a licensed pest management firm that focuses on mattress bugs or termites — they’ll have the instruments to really remedy the issue.
What Clients Say About Zevo
Most Zevo customers just like the product for informal, on a regular basis use — particularly these with youngsters or pets at dwelling. Individuals constantly reward its security and talent to kill bugs shortly. That mentioned, complaints typically focus on defective sprayers and robust odors that linger longer than anticipated.
What Individuals Like:
Protected to Use Round Children and Pets
The largest promoting level for a lot of owners is peace of thoughts — Zevo feels safer than conventional sprays. About 7 out of 10 optimistic evaluations point out this.
“This superb Zevo insect killer is the proper match for my wants. It utterly retains out all of the bugs… and is tremendous secure for my little pups.” — vicereine17
Kills Quick on Contact
Many customers report strong knockdown energy, particularly on ants and roaches when sprayed straight.
“I sprayed this below the fridge—three roaches got here out and barely made 7 inches earlier than they unalived.” — Si’s Opinions
Smells Higher Than Conventional Sprays
The important oil scent is a plus for some customers, particularly in comparison with the chemical odor of most bug sprays.
“Smells superb in contrast to different bug sprays. Works on contact and retains the bugs away.” — Keva
What Individuals Don’t Like:
Spray Bottles Can Malfunction
A typical subject is poor packaging — damaged nozzles, leaky bottles, or sprayers that cease working after just a few makes use of.
“The set off sprayer broke the primary time. Don’t purchase this product as a result of you may’t depend on the container.” — Mikey54
Lingering Odor Regardless of ‘No Odor’ Claims
Some prospects say the scent is far stronger than anticipated, particularly indoors.
“It killed the ants on contact… nonetheless, the sturdy odor lingered in my kitchen all day regardless of opening home windows and utilizing followers.” — Joanie
Can I Spray Zevo on My Pores and skin or Pet to Repel Mosquitoes?
Though the flying insect model of Zevo may fit properly in opposition to probably killing and repelling mosquitoes, this product shouldn’t be utilized to the pores and skin.
Topical repellents can work nice to maintain mosquitoes from biting you or your pet, however a few of the pure compounds present in Zevo might make an individual or pet sick regardless that the substances are usually not deadly.
Solely use ointments or topical repellents which can be labeled for use on the pores and skin for repelling mosquitoes. You could possibly think about using Zevo for killing or repelling mosquitoes which can be swarming or flying close by.
You may take a look at my Thermacell Mosquito Repellent overview to see a product that may actively work to maintain mosquitoes away out of your outside dwelling area.
Zevo is usually secure and may successfully repel bugs (possible for just a few days) if it can not outright kill the pests upon quick contact. The product does work and you’ll be sure that it’ll do at the very least one in all these labeled actions. Zevo is just not a residual pesticide and needs to be used as such.
