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Safety of Certain OTC Pesticide Products - Misleading Advertising?
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Aris
junior member
Joined: Apr '08
Posts: 62
Posted 3 months ago
Thu Jul 30 2009 15:32:52
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Currently, if you do a search of amazon in the US for "bed bugs," the first item that comes up is
"Bed Bug Killer Powder - 16Oz Bottle by Diatect International."The product description blurb for that listing reads:
The Bed Bug Killer Powder is the fastest acting bed bug killer on the market today. Where the majority of products take days or even weeks to work, this kills bed bugs and other insects in minutes! The combination of natural ingredients makes for a hard-hitting insecticide that is extremely effective and fast acting. Plus, the Bed Bug Killer Powder is made from all natural ingredients. This means it is safe to use around children, pets, and throughout your home.
The photo which accompanies the listing shows a bottle labeled "RESULTS - Indoor Insect Killer - Works in Minutes - Ready to Use - No Odor."
There is no mention anywhere in the amazon listing as to precisely what the active ingredients in this product are.
Is it even legal for pesticides to be advertised without any mention in the ad of the specific ingredients?
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Aris
junior member
Joined: Apr '08
Posts: 62
Posted 3 months ago
Thu Jul 30 2009 15:36:03
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And it doesn't help that if you check out the description of RESULTS powder at the Diatect International website, you will find this in the discussion of one of the active ingredients (emphasis added):
Diatomaceous Earth, which is also called DE or silicon dioxide, is as chemically inert as road dust, but when properly used, it is very effective against insect pests. Unlike ‘chemical insecticides’ of the last half of the 20th Century, DE is a ‘physical’ or ‘mechanical’ insecticide.
Knowledge of one fact about insects and two facts about DE is required in order to understand how DE can have no known negative effect to humans and yet be very effective in killing insects.
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Joined: May '07
Posts: 436
Posted 3 months ago
Thu Jul 30 2009 18:04:36
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Actually on the web site they do have the label if you read the list on the left hand side as well as an MSDS. As products go ,and this is not an endorsement, it is a reasonable one and if used properly will have an effect. The " works in minutes" part may poses a certain exuberance on the part of the seller!
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Aris
junior member
Joined: Apr '08
Posts: 62
Posted 3 months ago
Fri Jul 31 2009 11:24:29
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Winston O. Buggy - 17 hours ago »
Actually on the web site they do have the label if you read the list on the left hand side as well as an MSDS. As products go ,and this is not an endorsement, it is a reasonable one and if used properly will have an effect. The " works in minutes" part may poses a certain exuberance on the part of the seller!I'm not questioning the efficacy of the product.
I'm questioning the way it is being promoted.The seller ("Hard to Find Items") who posted the Amazon listing mentioned above presumably isn't directly affiliated with the manufacturer, they are just selling the product. A person searching Amazon for treatment options for bed bugs wouldn't necessarily know much from the description at Amazon about what product they would be purchasing, other than that it is an insecticide composed of all-natural ingredients that is safe for use around children and pets in the home.
On the separate issue of the manufacturer's website listing, it's true that there is an ingredients list and an MSDS. But most people have no idea what an MSDS is, and many probably wouldn't bother to read it.
And I am still troubled by the statement on their website that DE has no known negative effect to humans.
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