6 Best IGRs for Fleas – Get Rid of These Annoying Insects Once and for All!

From concentrated products to sprays, we picked the best insect growth regulators for indoor and outdoor use
By
Phyllis McMahon
Phyllis McMahon
Research Writer
Phyllis teaches English Literature at a local college and loves writing in her free time. She’s also a great cook – her British beef Wellington is something the best res read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Chas Kempf
Chas Kempf
Expert Consultant
Chas works in a professional pest control company and knows all the nuances of this job. Also, he’s a fantastic tennis player and loves to organize BBQ parties for his fam read more
Last updated: September 19, 2023
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Did you know that only 5% of fleas are on your pet? The remaining 95% are in their habitat: your home. A flea infestation in your home can be a serious problem. Fleas reproduce quickly and feed on blood. Their bites are painful and leave a long-lasting, welt itchy rash. Flea IGRs are often used to eliminate the problem.

In this review, we will introduce you to the best IGRs for fleas. Available in different types and forms, they are formulated from Dinotefuran, Pyriproxyfen, Prallethrin, Methoprene, Lambda-Cyhalothrin, and Novaluron, strong active chemicals which will be enough to rid the vermin from your home for months, if applied properly. Find out which one would be better for your situation below!

Quick Summary

  • "This product uses pyriproxyfen and novaluron active ingredients to control pest infestation indoors and outdoors. 16 fl. ounces. Can be used on furniture, carpets, kennels."
  • "Another growth regulator that can be used indoors as a complete flea treatment program that will last for close to seven months. 1 gallon. Treats up to 1,600 sq. feet."
  • Best Concentrated Solution: ZOECON Precor IGR Insect Growth Regulator
    "This is a formula that is made from 1.2% Methoprene and can be applied where fleas are found or where they may be hiding. 18 fl. ounces, concentrated. For indoor use."
  • "An Pyriproxyfen-based insecticide regulating the growth of insects, with activity by ingestion and contact. Treats up to 13,000 sq. feet. For indoor and outdoor use."
  • Best for Industrial Use: MGK NyGuard IGR Concentrate Insecticide
    "Another insecticide formulated from Pyriproxyfen for both indoor and outdoor applications. 4.73 fl. ounces, concentrated. Can be used in restaurants, food processing plants, etc."
  • "An insecticide formulated with three active ingredients: Dinotefuran, Pyriproxyfen, and Prallethrin. 20 ounces. For indoor use."

Top 6 IGRs for Fleas Review

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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 7275 people in the past 30 days
9.9
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.7
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.6
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.5
9.9
Features
  • Active ingredients: Pyriproxyfen, Novaluron
  • Net contents: 16 fl. oz.

More features: for indoor and outdoor use; up to seven-month re-infestation prevention; for use on furniture, carpets, kennels

The TEKKO PRO insect growth regulator concentrate is a product that controls the pest population in your property. This product uses active ingredients such as pyriproxyfen and novaluron to stop the minor pests from growing in adults. It stops the cycle of life of pests, preventing the young ones from growing into adults.

The TEKKO PRO is for indoor and outdoor use on furniture, carpets, kennels, poultry houses, and many other available areas. The active ingredients are the key to the success of the product. For two different reasons Pripoxyfen is a juvenile hormone analog, which disrupts the pre-adult stage of insects before they can reproduce. Novaluron is a chitin synthesis inhibitor. It stops insects from molting, so it is more likely to die from external influences.

    Why are we impressed?
  • This product offers a long-term solution to pest control problems on your property. It's ideal for use in many settings, from furniture and carpets to poultry and houses. The Tekko pro concentrated insect growth is a great example of using pesticides to deal with pests over a longer period than other products that kill pests, directly but cannot control the growing population. The product is complex to stop your pest control problems in their tracks. Tekko Pro Insect Growth Regulator works for up to 7 months after application.
    What negatives must you be aware of?
  • Aside from that this product is more expensive than others, there is nothing wrong with it. It works on various types of pests and not just the adults, it stops the pests at their growth.
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 5925 people in the past 30 days
9.7
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.6
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.2
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.2
9.7
Features
  • Active ingredients: Lambda-Cyhalothrin, Pyriproxyfen
  • Net contents: 1 gal.

More features: for indoor use; treats up to 1,600 sq. ft; up to seven-month re-infestation prevention

The Black Flag Extreme Flea Killer is another growth regulator that can be used indoors.  It can be used as a complete flea treatment program that will last for close to seven months. The IGR contains lambda-cyhalothrin and pyriproxyfen as active ingredients. However, it can only be used indoors. The volume of the keg is a gallon, that is, 3.8 liters.

It’s ideal for use on carpets, upholstery, baseboards, and rugs. It kills adult fleas, flea eggs, larvae as well as ticks. It’s also a product that can be used on ticks. For long-term flea prevention, you only need to apply one gallon of the product for every 750 square feet. However, it will still be enough for you to 1600 square feet.

    Why are we impressed?
  • The IGR product for fleas can prevent reinfestation for up to seven months. Also, it contains active ingredients that can kill various types of pests at different life cycles, be it the eggs, larvae, or adults.
    What negatives must you be aware of?
  • The only downside here is the product can only be applied indoors. It's not like the first product which is effective for use indoors and outdoors.
Also Product Ranking:
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 9717 people in the past 30 days
9.5
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.4
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.2
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.3
9.5
3
Best Concentrated Solution

ZOECON Precor IGR Insect Growth Regulator

Features
  • Active ingredients: (S)-Methoprene
  • Net contents: 18 fl. oz.

More features: concentrate; for indoor use; up to seven-month re-infestation prevention

The ZOECON Precor Insect Growth Regulator is a formula which is made from 1.2% methoprene.  Precor IGR concentrate can be applied where fleas are found or where they may be hiding. You can apply the diluted solution with any low-pressure fan tip sprayer normally used for indoor applications.

It prevents the appearance of adult fleas (preventing fleas from flea eggs, larvae, and mature fleas) up to 7 months, as long as the rug is not washed with soap or steam. This means that if a flea egg falls from the infected dog, the flea egg will not develop. Again, the product has up to three years of shelf life.

    Why is it special?
  • The Zoëcon Precor IGR controls all types of adults; including adult and pre-adult fleas. With the Methoprene active ingredient, Precor IGR effectively breaks the life cycles of fleas. The formula helps avoid flea infestations, providing residual control of fleas. According to users, it is effective for fleas that are hard to reach.
    What are the flaws?
  • The container could get swollen following prolonged exposure to heat and may not be as effective.
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 2788 people in the past 30 days
9.2
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.8
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.0
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.8
9.2
Features
  • Active ingredients: Pyriproxyfen
  • Net contents: 3.72 fl. oz.

More features: for indoor and outdoor use; pet-safe; treats up to 13,000 sq. ft; up to seven-month re-infestation prevention

The Control Solutions Pivot 10 IGR is also an IGR with Pyriproxyfen active ingredient CSI Tekko Pro. It’s an insecticide regulating the growth of insects, with activity by ingestion and contact. It contains 3.72 fluid ounces of IGR and can be used both outdoors and indoors. It is safe for use where you have pets and will treat up to 13,000 square feet. Like other products, it will prevent re-infestation for up to seven months.

It acts on the development of insects, inhibiting their natural evolutionary processes, such as metamorphosis, embryogenesis, and reproduction, causing the elimination of the plague. It has high persistence, which increases the possibility that the insect will come into contact with the product and be ingested by it.

    What makes it stand out?
  • We liked that the pest control concentrate can treat fleas both indoors and outdoors. It can also treat pests up to seven months within a space of up to 13,000 square feet. It is effective for use on ticks, cockroaches, crickets, mosquitoes, flying insects, flies, and other insects. It can be used commercially and in residential settlements.
    Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?
  • Unlike the CSI Tekko Pro, it doesn't contain Novaluron, which is a chitin synthesis inhibitor ideal for insects.
Also Product Ranking:
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 6358 people in the past 30 days
8.8
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.4
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.3
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.3
8.8
5
Best for Industrial Use

MGK NyGuard IGR Concentrate Insecticide

Features
  • Active ingredients: Pyriproxyfen
  • Net contents: 4.73 fl. oz.

More features: concentrate; indoor and outdoor use; up to seven-month re-infestation prevention

MGK NyGuard IGR is an insecticide formulated for indoor and outdoor applications. This will also prevent re-infestation up to seven months. It is formulated from Pyriproxyfen. This active ingredient is a hormonal lure for insects and more exactly an analogue of the juvenile hormone. It forces the larva to stay at this stage, preventing it from metamorphosing into an imago and reaching sexual maturity. It is found to have an ovicidal activity that affects the genesis of the embryo when exposed to the egg.

This product appears to be able to affect the embryos or larvae of a large number of species, including non-target species. When it is used as a mosquito repellent, it must be diluted in water where it diffuses easily, also affecting many species. It plays an important ecological role, such as in fresh or brackish water shrimp.

    What are its best features?
  • It consists of a very potent ingredient that will kill adult fleas and disrupt the growth of eggs and larvae. We also liked that you can use this both indoors and outdoors for up to seven months.
    What could be improved?
  • It is much more toxic than certain other molecules of the same type, i.e. Methoprene. So, you have to be careful when it's applied.
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 8733 people in the past 30 days
8.7
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.6
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.2
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.6
8.7
Features
  • Active ingredients: Dinotefuran, Pyriproxyfen, Prallethrin
  • Net contents: 20 oz.

More features: spray; for indoor use; treats up to 2,625 sq. ft; up to seven-month re-infestation prevention

The Prescription Treatment IGR is an insecticide formulated with three active ingredients: Dinotefuran, Pyriproxyfen, and Prallethrin. It’s a 20 oz. spray insecticide that can be used directly on targets. Because it’s a spray product, it is best used indoors and will treat a space of up to 2,625 square feet for several months.

It contains Dinotefuran, an ingredient that is commonly used as an insecticide. It can be used against a wide variety of insects. Typical areas of application are pests and vegetable cultivation. Asides from fleas, the target organisms include mealybugs, thrips, and cicadas. The Prallethrin content also makes it ideal for mosquito control. However, the brand recommends this product mostly for flea and bedbug control.

    What stands out?
  • This is one of the best IGR sprays for use indoors. You can use it in apartments, homes, hotels, motels, veterinary houses, kennels, and other commercial structures. Many users reported that their flea and bedbug infestation ended with the first application of the product.
    What cons did we manage to find?
  • There's nothing to complain about here. The flea spray is sold for a reasonable price and is effective in what it's supposed to do.

Things to Consider

By feeding on the blood of their hosts, animals and humans alike, fleas are a source of allergies and diseases for us and them. When they invade the house, these vermins can be difficult to stop. If you could kill the fleas, the eggs and the larvae keep growing and hatch, restarting another cycle. An IGR stops all cycles of fleas. In this section, we’ll give you all information on purchasing an effective product.

What to Consider Before You Buy an IGR for Fleas

So that you can really catch the last flea with the IGR and are finally freed from the plague, you have to pay attention to a few things before buying. To choose a product that is precisely tailored to your requirements, pay particular attention to the following criteria:

Active Ingredients

Commercial ready-to-use flea control products are made up of various molecules, of chemical or natural origin, which eradicate adult fleas and block the development of eggs and larvae.

Formulations such as Methoprene, Hydroprene, and Fenoxycarb mimic the natural juvenile hormones that are very important in the normal molting process, as well as the development of the immature insect.

A practical use in insect control would be in those that have complete metamorphosis since it causes irreversible damage in the adult state. As an example, in the control of mosquitoes and fleas, Methoprene, found in the ZOECON Precor IGR, inhibits metamorphosis to an adult or biting stage. Pyriproxyfen also found in Prescription Treatment Alpine Flea Insecticide, prevents larvae from becoming an adult. It stops them from reproducing. Novaluron targets the growth elements of insects in the laval stages. It works on insects that produce chitin. Without chitin, the molting process doesn’t take place which makes insects vulnerable to other survival pressures.

The use of these compounds reduces the presence of toxic insecticide residues in the environment. At the same time, it allows a decrease in the use of insecticide formulation in the maintenance and control of pests in large areas, avoiding the accumulation of toxic biocides in the land and, mainly, in water bodies.

Type and Use

6 Best IGRs for Fleas – Get Rid of These Annoying Insects Once and for All!
IGRs are available in different forms, from liquid concentrates to sprays

There are various types and uses of IGR insecticides. The flea spray can only be used on the areas to be treated. They must be left to act for 30 minutes to 3 hours according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The room must then be ventilated for a long time before the animals and the inhabitants of the house can enter it again.

The anti-flea fogger is the most radical solution against fleas since the fogger will diffuse chemical mist throughout the room. But it requires careful covering of all surfaces on which the product must not fall: aquarium, kitchen utensils, etc. Once the animals Trusted Source Are Flea Bombs Safe for Pets? | Aptive Environmental The insecticides contained in flea bombs are toxic to people and pets. But with the right precautions, you can use them safely to treat a flea infestation. www.goaptive.com and humans are away, the fogger is placed in the center of the room and the spray is triggered.

You will then have to leave the room, close the door and leave to act for 3 hours. Another hour of ventilation will be necessary before you can occupy the space again.

The conventional flea bomb is a can that activates itself. It has an activation button that must be pressed until it clicks into place. A small can is enough for an airtight room of around 323 square feet. The effectiveness of the anti-flea agent lasts for 6 months. However, some types of IGRs are formulated to be diluted with water and sprayed by a can.

Indoor or Outdoor Application

There are external and internal fleas. In severe cases of flea infection, it is recommended to use a spray type. In the case of using chemical fleas, it is advisable not to combine formats that act in the same area of the animal’s body.

Sprays are mostly designed for indoor application as they disperse quickly and may not be so effective outdoors. Models that work best outdoors are IGR concentrates such as the Control Solutions Pivot 10 and MGK NyGuard IGR.

Safety

Particularly effective and long-lasting, these anti-flea products are not toxic to other animals or even humans. However, the use of some ingredients such as Methoprene Trusted Source Methoprene Methoprene is an insect growth regulator that behaves like an important hormone in insects. By acting like an insect hormone it interferes with insect growth and development. Methoprene is a common ingredient found in flea treatments for dogs and cats, mosquito control products, insect baits, and home insect sprays or foggers. It can also be used on food including stored grains, corn, mushrooms, peanuts, cattle, and cereals. npic.orst.edu could not obtain marketing authorization as a pesticide in some countries (e.g., Germany, Austria, and Switzerland until 2013 when it was authorized by the Union European. Nonetheless, under no circumstances may animals, people, or open food be on the premises. Aquariums also need to be protected.

Volume

Anti-flea IGRs are found in kegs and spray bottles depending on their types. The ones in kegs usually contain around one gallon of concentrate while the ones in sprays are usually around 20 ounces. Because it makes no sense to use an insecticide for small areas in large rooms, make sure you know how big the affected room is before buying and choosing a product with the appropriate filling quantity.

How to Use an IGR for Fleas

6 Best IGRs for Fleas – Get Rid of These Annoying Insects Once and for All!
It is recommended to vacuum and steam clean the areas you want to treat before applying IGRs

To get rid of a flea infestation in your home, you need to treat both your pet and its interior. One cannot be done without the other: if your animal is infested, the interior usually is. The use of these products doesn’t start with them. First of all, it is essential to clean your home. Start by cleaning all textiles like pillows, blankets, plaid, etc. at 140 °F or use a steam cleaner.

Then vacuum every corner of your home, paying particular attention to areas where flea eggs and larvae typically reside, such as rugs and carpeting. Then burn the bag. If this is not possible, you can use pest control vacuum cleaner bags. They destroy the eggs and larvae once sucked and treat the inside of the bag.

You can use IGR products to quickly eradicate adult fleas and prevent the development of eggs and larvae. It offers a total and prolonged action against fleas, but also mites, bedbugs, lice, etc. Very efficient, it can treat an entire room.

For long-term flea prevention, you only need to apply one gallon of the product for every 750 square feet. You can dilute some products in water and dispense them with a spray can.

Some products are activated with tabs or buttons that release their contents into the air. The active ingredients hang around in droplets in the air before settling on surfaces such as floors, furniture, and counters.

Fleas in the house congregate in areas where there is a food supply such as in animal litter or around the family couch. The larvae cling to carpet fibers and other fabrics.

As for flea bombs, place one can in the middle of the room on a raised spot. Activation is done on the head. Before use, all doors and drawers in the affected area should be opened. This is the only way the chemicals can kill fleas.

FAQ

Are IGR for fleas safe for people?

IGRs are not as toxic as other instant insecticides which work by killing insects. IGRs mimic insect hormones made by the insects themselves and are some of the safest to use where you have humane.

Is IGR for fleas safe for pets?

IGRs are not toxic to pets and animals. IGRs are not typically an insecticide. They work by preventing the growth and development of eggs and larvae and are therefore safe around pets and animals.

How long does the effect last?

IGRs are long-lasting products that last for up to seven months, especially when the contact surfaces are not washed.

Our verdict

Rated 9.9 out of 10, the CSI Tekko Pro IGR is our Editor’s Choice. The insect growth regulator concentrate is a product that controls the pest population with the use of active ingredients such as pyriproxyfen and novaluron. The product stops the cycle of life of pests, preventing the young ones from growing into adults. It’s therefore our overall best IGR for fleas.

The best product for Indoor use is the Black Flag Extreme Growth Regulator. It can be used indoors as a complete flea treatment program and will last for several months. It got a rating of 9.7/10 from our experts.

Finally, the most long-lasting is the ZOECON Precor IGR. Rated 9.5, it is a formula that is made from 1.2% Methoprene.  Precor IGR concentrate can be applied where fleas are found or where they may be hiding.

References

1.
Are Flea Bombs Safe for Pets? | Aptive Environmental
The insecticides contained in flea bombs are toxic to people and pets. But with the right precautions, you can use them safely to treat a flea infestation.
2.
Methoprene
Methoprene is an insect growth regulator that behaves like an important hormone in insects. By acting like an insect hormone it interferes with insect growth and development. Methoprene is a common ingredient found in flea treatments for dogs and cats, mosquito control products, insect baits, and home insect sprays or foggers. It can also be used on food including stored grains, corn, mushrooms, peanuts, cattle, and cereals.
9,9
Total Score
CSI Tekko Pro IGR Insect Growth Regulator - Editor’s Choice
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