Safe replacement for Vapona Strips in occupied rooms?

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Carrier
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Safe replacement for Vapona Strips in occupied rooms?

Post by Carrier »

When first introduced Shell Vapona Strips were suggested as an easy use insect pest control in homes. Later advice was to use these strips only in uninhabited spaces or rooms which were occupied for less than four hours per day. More recent advice is to avoid these strips altogether in occupied rooms and even to take care with handling them as they have some long term serious health effects.

These strips contain Dichlorvos DDVP insecticide. This is a nerve agent. Apparently long term exposure through using strips in occupied rooms has a negative health effect on people.

https://www.wired.com/2014/01/cdc-warni ... st-strips/
https://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvi ... PestStrips
http://articles.extension.org/pages/702 ... st-control

These strips are still available under various trade names including Nuvan Prostrips and Ortho Home Defense. They have even become more popular over the past few years because Dichlorvos kills pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs.

Is there an equally functional and convenient replacement that may be used safely in occupied rooms?

As a related question, how does the toxicity of Vapona Stripes, both short term and cumulative, compare with spraying rooms with consumer pest sprays sold under brand names such as Raid, Doom and Flit?

We have good insect screens on exterior doors and windows but with normal opening of exterior doors insect pests enter the home. We also use a fly swatter from time to time. A “hang it up and forget about it” safe replacement strip would be ideal. Does one exist?

I will appreciate your thoughts and advice.
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Re: Safe replacement for Vapona Strips in occupied rooms?

Post by Beefitarian »

Hold on, they are saying exposure to chemicals used to kill bugs is bad for humans? Huh.
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Re: Safe replacement for Vapona Strips in occupied rooms?

Post by CpnCrunch »

What insects are you specifically trying to control? If it's just flies, I think a UV fly trap is probably the best option.
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Re: Safe replacement for Vapona Strips in occupied rooms?

Post by Carrier »

Thanks for the replies.

The problem is mainly normal size house fles and some little flies that seem of a different type. They are very small and move slowly. There is the occasional mosquito, from when the door screen is opened.

I did an online search and have been looking at various UV bug zappers for indoor use. These have been in use for many years in restaurants but I had not realised small versions are available for use in homes. I will try one.

This looks like it should work:
https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Zapper- ... B07D59MZLL
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Re: Safe replacement for Vapona Strips in occupied rooms?

Post by Beefitarian »

Have you considered making one of those wasp traps out of a pop bottle? Put a little butter or meat in it. I'm not sure if flies are better at escaping them or not but could be worth a try.

http://tipnut.com/wasp-trap/
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