How to Use the Hot Shot No-Pest Strip Insect Killer

 

Using the Hot Shot No-Pest Strip Insect Killer properly ensures safe and effective control of insects in indoor spaces. Here’s a step-by-step approach for average homeowners or renters.

 

Choosing the Right Location

 

Pick an enclosed area where you spend little time, like garages, attics, storage units, sheds, crawl spaces, or cabins. Avoid placing the strip in areas where people live or sleep for long periods—don’t use in kitchens, bedrooms, or occupied family rooms. Never put it in small, badly ventilated places where you’ll be staying for several hours daily. Make sure the space is closed and won’t be repeatedly ventilated during use.

 

Unpacking and Preparing the Strip

 

Carefully open the package, keeping your hands away from your mouth and eyes. Remove both the plastic strip and the holder from the package. Do not remove or puncture the plastic covering from the hanging strip—this is how it is designed to release the insecticide slowly and safely.

 

Placing the Strip

 

Secure the strip inside the supplied holder. Hang the holder up by its hook or loop in the chosen area. Make sure to hang it in the center of the space where air flows easily, but away from windows or doors that are often opened, which can let the vapor out and reduce effectiveness. Do not let the strip touch walls, furniture, food, food preparation surfaces, or pet bedding. Be sure it is out of reach of children and pets.

 

Ventilation and Exposure Precautions

 

Only use the strip in completely enclosed spaces where you can control who enters. Limit time spent in treated areas to minimize exposure. Do not let children, pregnant women, elderly people, or people with respiratory problems enter treated spaces. Open windows and ventilate the area well before spending time in it once you remove the strip.

 

Using the Strip for Maximum Effectiveness

 

Each strip is effective for up to four months in spaces up to 10 feet x 13 feet x 8 feet (equal to 1,200 cubic feet). Use one strip per enclosed space of that size. For bigger areas, use additional strips as directed by the packaging. Mark your calendar when you first hang the strip to keep track of replacement time.

 

Removal and Disposal

 

After four months or when insects appear again, remove the strip and its holder. Seal the strip in a plastic bag before placing it in the household garbage. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching or removing the strip.

 

General Safety Guidelines

 

• Never use the strip in homes with pet birds, as they are very sensitive to the vapors.
• Do not use in food-handling areas.
• Do not allow the strip to come in direct contact with any food, dishes, or utensils.
• If you feel symptoms like headaches or nausea after entering a treated area, leave and get fresh air right away.

 

 

What is No-Pest Strip Insect Killer by Hot Shot?

 

The No-Pest Strip Insect Killer by Hot Shot is a pest control product designed to kill and control common indoor insects by releasing a special type of pesticide vapor into the air. This product is shaped like a small plastic strip and works by slowly releasing an invisible, odorless insecticide called Dichlorvos, also known as DDVP, into the surrounding air over several weeks. The active chemical circulates within the area and disrupts the nervous system of insects such as flies, mosquitoes, moths, gnats, cockroaches, ants, and other listed pests, killing them soon after exposure. The No-Pest Strip does not need batteries, electricity, or spraying; instead, it relies on the slow evaporation of its active ingredient to maintain ongoing insect control.

 

How It Works and What Makes It Different

 

A No-Pest Strip functions through a process called “controlled vapor release.” Inside the plastic holder, the Dichlorvos chemical is embedded in a material that allows it to gradually release small amounts into the air. This vapor evenly fills the air within a closed room or confined space, making direct contact with insects wherever they hide. Because insects breathe in air just like we do, the insecticide vapor enters their bodies, attacks their nervous systems, and leads to their death.

This product does not kill pests instantly, but controls infestations over the course of several days as pests come into contact with the vapor. It is different from sprays or powders because you do not apply it directly to insects, surfaces, or cracks. Instead, it offers continuous, hands-off control in areas that can be sealed or have limited airflow, such as storage closets, garages, sheds, attics, or pantries.

 

Main Ingredients and Safety Concerns

 

The main ingredient, Dichlorvos (also called DDVP), is an organophosphate insecticide that is highly effective at killing many types of bugs but can also be poisonous to humans and pets if not used as directed. It acts on the nervous system of insects and, in larger amounts or after long exposure, can also harm people, especially children or those with respiratory conditions. For this reason, No-Pest Strips are generally intended for enclosed spaces where people and pets do not spend extended amounts of time. Excessive inhalation is dangerous and the product should not be used in rooms where people live, sleep, or work for many hours at a time.

 

Common Uses and Limitations

 

The No-Pest Strip is commonly used in non-living areas like storage rooms, sheds, garages, closets, attics, unused cabins, or spaces where bug infestations may develop when people are not present. Its benefits include:

• Long-lasting insect control for up to four months
• No need for direct application like sprays or foggers
• Effective against a wide range of flying and crawling pests
• Simple to use: just unwrap and hang, place, or set in the area

However, its use is not suitable for open or well-ventilated rooms, or anywhere people and animals spend a lot of time. The product does not prevent bugs from entering a building, but rather controls those already present. It should not be mistaken for air fresheners or be used as a general room deodorizer, and it does not have any effect on bed bugs or other pests not on its label.

 

Summary of Key Features

 

• A slow-release plastic strip that kills and controls insects using a vapor
• Active ingredient is Dichlorvos (DDVP), a powerful and fast-acting insecticide
• Best for enclosed, non-living spaces
• Effective against a broad range of household insects
• Presents safety concerns if used in living or eating areas