If you’re old enough to wonder about the long-term effects of Raid, you probably remember a time when insect repellents were considerably more potent — and less safe — than they are now. Fortunately, decades of research have lead to developments that have made chemical insect repellants pretty safe. But how long do their effects last? More to the point, how long does Raid last?
To get to the bottom of this issue, you have to start by looking at the momentary effects of these kinds of products. With that in mind, let’s talk about how Reid spray works, and how you can get the most out of it.
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What Happens When You Use Raid Products?
Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, it’s important to note that Raid is a brand, rather than a single product. As such, various formulations of the insecticide work in different ways and on different groups of insects. Similarly, you can expect Raid products to have different residual effects as well.
Still, there’s one thing that most insecticides — and not just the ones Raid makes — have in common. Namely, they all contain toxins like organophosphates and pyrethroids. These chemicals work by either overstimulating or inhibiting certain neural signals in insects.
After penetrating the hard exoskeleton of an insect, these neurotoxins usually cause convulsions and paralysis. Soon enough, the bug’s heart gives out. The effects are deadly and almost instantaneous — which is why Raid promises that most of its products “kill insects on contact.”
On top of that, most Raid products are advertised as having no lingering chemical odor. In fact, while many of the company’s products are scented, the aroma only makes the spray more pleasant. It doesn’t have a negative impact on humans — though that doesn’t mean that Raid is completely safe.
Are the Active Ingredients in Raid Safe for Humans?
Depending on the exact Raid product you’re planning on using, you’ll find different chemicals acting as the active ingredient for the insecticide. While some Raid formulas rely on d-Phenothrin and prallethrin, others feature cypermethrin and imiprothrin more heavily.
Other than those active ingredients, most liquid insecticides also contain sodium nitrite and petroleum distillates. But ultimately, the majority of the formula is made up of plain old water.
Still, you really ought to take those active ingredients seriously. Even just the cypermethrin can cause all sorts of pulmonary symptoms, including:
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Congestion
- Asthma attacks
- Long-term lung issues
Needless to say, other chemicals on that list aren’t benign either. They can irritate the skin as well as cause anything from sneezing and dizziness to terrible headaches. And that’s not even the worst that can happen.
On the Bright Side…
Naturally, Raid is nowhere near as dangerous as insecticides of yore were known to be. In fact, the company has even made an effort to formulate a product based on lemongrass and geraniol essential oils. As such, that particular version of the product should be completely safe to use.
Of course, if you followed the instructions on the packaging to the letter, you could say the same of any other Raid product. But why does this matter, anyway? Well, if you’re wondering about the long-term effects of Raid, you may have been worried about the impact it might have on you and your family too.
So let this be a comfort. Even if you use an insecticide with longer residual effects, it won’t cause health issues to humans or animals. The key is to use the product as it was intended.
How Long Does It Take for Raid to Kill Bugs Indoors?
Ultimately, most Raid sprays take about fifteen minutes to reach their maximum efficiency when you use them indoors. But once again, following directions is crucial.
Before applying the insecticide, you’ll need to clear people and pets from the area and close all doors and windows. At that point, you can spray the area liberally, taking care not to get it on your skin or around electrical equipment. Remember, the spray is mostly made of water.
While you could concentrate the product on a single insect, don’t try to spray flying bugs. After all, that may contaminate the surrounding fabrics, walls, or furniture. If you do end up spraying your skin, clothing, or surroundings, you’ll want to wash them with soap and water as soon as possible.
After using Raid and letting it sit in the closed room for fifteen minutes, the product will have finished its job. At that point, you can enter the room and let it air out for two hours before spending time in it.
Of course, these are just the most basic instructions you might find on the packaging of Raid products. They may differ depending on the kind of bug the product is supposed to exterminate. As it happens — the longevity of Raid products also depends on the formula.
How Long Does Raid Last? The Residual Effects of Insecticide
After spraying Raid in the general direction of the insects you’re looking to get rid of, you may spot some residue on the nearest surface. Depending on whether you want to wipe off that substance, the insecticide can go from being momentarily effective to having a lasting impact.
Needless to say, cleaning the area with soap and water will make the product disappear entirely. Conversely, leaving the residue may keep the product active for up to two weeks, killing bugs that come in contact with it. Now, there are several reasons for wanting to clean up the mess. Namely, wiping it off can be a matter of:
- Cleaning a surface you didn’t mean to spray
- Washing away insecticide you’ve accidentally spilled
- Clearing an area people are likely to slip over
- Having used a product that doesn’t claim to have residual effects
Ultimately, Raid is pretty good about not making claims it can’t support. With that in mind, the company makes sure to clearly advertise any residual effects its products might have. For example:
- Wasp & Hornet Killer Spray, which can kill an entire nest from up to 22 feet away, with residual effects killing insects that return to it
- Ant & Roach Killer Defense Mechanism, which has residual effects for up to four weeks
- Bug Barrier and Killer Spray, which repels and kills bugs for up to 12 months after application
As you can see, some of these products can be pretty handy for long-term protection against insects. But does that work on arachnids? If you don’t like the answer, check out this guide to keeping spiders away while you’re sleeping.
