Professional Pest Control in Montréal

The active ingredient in Aprehend® is a natural fungal disease of insects called Beauveria bassiana, it is specific to insects and does not affect humans or animals. While the use of Beauveria to control bed bugs is a new application, Beauveria and other insect diseases have been used to control pest insects in horticulture and agriculture for many years.

The key difference between Aprehend® and other biopesticides developed for use in agriculture is the formulation. Aprehend® is a unique, ready-to-use formulation, which contains a special combination of oils, which enable the application of the Beauveria conidia (spores) to surfaces where they remain attached until encountered by a bed bug. This proprietary oil formulation ensures that Aprehend® is effective even at very low (< 20%) relative humidity. The conidia remain dormant on the sprayed surface, and will only germinate when they come into contact with a bed bug. This is how Aprehend® remains effective for up to 3 months after application. All agricultural formulations are designed to be diluted in water and sprayed at high volumes directly on insects that are feeding on plants. Once conidia have been in contact with water, they germinate quickly and if they are not in direct contact with an insect they will die.

No, Beauveria is specific to insects and will not infect humans or pets. The formulation is designed to stick the conidia to the surface where they are applied, and will not remain airborne after the spray application. Aprehend’s® formulation is a non-toxic mode of action.

No, Aprehend® is odorless and invisible on most surfaces.

No, Aprehend® is invisible on most surfaces, and is applied to areas that are generally hidden, and not normally contacted by humans, such as the perimeter of the underside of a sofa, and the seating area under the cushions etc. Aprehend® should not be applied to leather surfaces or silk.

Beauveria is a natural disease of insects, it infects an insect by direct contact, and does not need to be eaten to initiate an infection. Aprehend® contains the conidia of Beauveria, these microscopic ‘seeds’ readily attach to insect cuticle (insect skin). Once attached, the conidia germinate and penetrate directly through the cuticle and gain access to the insect’s blood system. Once there the fungus grows inside the insect, using the blood as a food source. Very soon the insect becomes sick and dies from the fungal infection. In bed bugs this takes between 3 and 7 days