If you’re looking for a safer bug spray to use around kids and pets, Zevo is a solid choice — but it has its limits. Zevo uses essential oils like geraniol to kill or repel common insects like flies, ants, and roaches. It works well for light bug problems, especially if you spray it directly on pests. But don’t expect it to wipe out an infestation.
A can of Zevo typically costs around $7–$9, and it’s available at most big-box stores. That makes it an affordable tool to keep around for quick knockdowns or short-term repellent needs indoors or on the patio.
However, if you’re seeing regular bug activity — especially cockroaches, ants, or stinging insects — you’ll need a more aggressive treatment plan. In this review, I’ll break down when Zevo works, when it doesn’t, and what you should use instead if you’re dealing with more than just the occasional pest.
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Zevo Company Overview
Zevo hit the market in 2018 as Procter & Gamble’s answer to growing demand for safer, natural bug sprays. After starting online, strong sales pushed Zevo into major retailers by 2019 — and now it’s a regular on the shelves of Walmart, Target, and Home Depot.
The brand offers several spray formulas designed to kill bugs on contact or repel them with essential oils like geraniol, cinnamon oil, and citric acid derivatives. While all Zevo sprays share similar ingredients, each one targets a slightly different group of pests.
The biggest appeal? Zevo is plant-based and designed to be safe for people, pets, and indoor use — without the harsh chemicals or strong odors you get from traditional sprays.
But here’s the real takeaway: Zevo is great for occasional use when you see a few bugs here and there. It’s not going to wipe out a full-blown infestation — and it wasn’t designed to.
Zevo Bug Spray Reviews
Zevo comes in many different bottles with different designs and spray methods.
The company chooses to target certain formulas for a wide range of pests that can be found in four different Zevo bottles. When it comes down to it, ingredients are the most important with spray pesticides, and Zevo widely uses the same ingredients in each product.
Zevo Active Ingredient: Geraniol
Zevo leans on essential oils instead of synthetic chemicals to get the job done. The main ingredient across all Zevo sprays is geraniol — a plant-derived compound found in things like citronella and rose oil. Geraniol works by overwhelming an insect’s nervous system, causing confusion or paralysis. In simple terms: bugs either die quickly or get the hint and leave.
Geraniol is stronger than a lot of other “natural” options like peppermint or lavender, which tend to just smell nice without doing much. It’s why Zevo can actually kill bugs on contact, not just chase them off.
But it’s not a miracle worker. Geraniol isn’t strong enough to knock out a full infestation, especially if you’re dealing with ants, roaches, or bed bugs nesting behind walls or under floors. Zevo is best used for spot treatments — not serious pest control.
Supporting Ingredients That Matter
Aside from geraniol, Zevo formulas include a few other ingredients worth noting:
- Isopropyl Myristate – A less harsh cousin of rubbing alcohol, this compound helps kill insects and dissolve their protective outer layer. It’s especially effective against soft-bodied bugs like lice and gnats.
- Triethyl Citrate – This is derived from citric acid and works as an irritant to insects. It doesn’t kill them outright, but it drives them away by attacking their sensitive receptors.
- Isopropyl Alcohol (in some formulas) – Old-school bug killer that still works well on direct contact. It’s effective but evaporates quickly, so it doesn’t leave behind a lasting kill zone.
The combination of these ingredients makes Zevo more than just a scented spray — but still not as potent as synthetic pesticides designed for long-term control.
Isopropyl Myristate
Isopropyl myristate is a type of ester compound that is strongly related to rubbing alcohol. Although alcohol can kill and repel insects on contact, it is far too flammable and potentially hazardous to use as a pesticide outright.
Isopropyl myristate is not as potent as alcohol and exists as an essential fatty acid that takes most of its properties from palm kernel oil. Although not outright dangerous to humans or pets, this compound is repellent to insects, specifically head lice.
Triethyl Citrate
Citric acid is a known insect repellent and triethyl citrate is also a type of ester that helps turn citric acid into what it becomes. This compound is closely related to rubbing alcohol as well and this is what makes it more potent as an insect repellent than straight citric acid.
Triethyl citrate is painful to the sensitive anatomy of insects and triggers their instincts to flee from it and avoid any areas where it has been applied.
Does Zevo Bug Spray Work?
Yes — Zevo works, but only under the right conditions.
If you spray it directly on a bug, it usually kills on contact. That’s thanks to its active ingredients like geraniol and isopropyl alcohol. It also leaves behind a scent that repels pests for a short time — typically two to three days — depending on where it’s sprayed.
But here’s what it won’t do:
- It won’t kill bugs after it dries. Zevo isn’t a residual spray, so once the surface dries out, the killing power is gone.
- It won’t handle infestations. If you’re seeing clusters of ants, roaches, or flies every day, you need a more aggressive solution — like a residual pesticide or professional pest control.
Zevo is best used as a contact killer or short-term repellent. Keep a can in the kitchen or by the patio door. It’s a handy tool for the occasional fly, ant, or spider — and a safer alternative to harsh chemicals when used around kids or pets.
If you need long-term control, though, Zevo isn’t built for that job. You’ll want a residual spray or a full pest management plan, depending on what you’re dealing with.
One-time visit
This one-time treatment includes an inspection, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. It costs $150 to $350.
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Monthly service
At $125 to $300 for an initial visit, this service includes inspections and treatments, with monthly follow-ups that cost between $50 to $75.
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Annual service
This recurring service provides regular inspections and treatments once a year and costs between $125 to $500.
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Is Zevo Safe?
Yes — Zevo is one of the safer bug sprays you can keep around the house. It’s made from plant-based ingredients like geraniol and doesn’t contain harsh synthetic chemicals. That means it’s generally safe to use around kids, pets, and even food surfaces.
It’s also safe for pregnant women and won’t cause problems if a bit lands on a countertop or floor. Just wipe it down like you would with any cleaning product.
That said, safe doesn’t mean harmless — you still shouldn’t spray it directly on people, pets, or plants.
A Few Safety Tips:
- Don’t spray it on your skin or your pet’s fur. It’s not a topical repellent.
- Avoid direct inhalation — if you’re using a lot of it in a small space, crack a window.
- Don’t use it on or around aquariums or ponds. Some ingredients may harm fish or reptiles.
- Keep it off houseplants and garden soil — it wasn’t made for vegetation and could cause damage.
Zevo is much safer than traditional bug sprays, but you still need to use common sense when applying it.
What Insects Does Zevo Work Against?
Zevo comes in different formulations to target different types of insects.
This is also one of the details that make Zevo such an effective natural pesticide. Since many insects react differently to natural substances, research and testing need to be done to determine what substances can mix and how well the mixtures can target different species. Even though there are minor differences, all four sprays work similarly.
With this in mind, geraniol can kill and repel nearly all of the common insects and arachnids that cause pest problems.
Let’s take a detailed look at each Zevo spray and the insects it treats against.
Zevo Ant, Roach, and Spider
Zevo Ant, Roach, and Spider Killer are designed to attract, kill, and/or repel common crawling insects and spiders. Crawling pests have different behaviors than flying pests which means these pests will react differently to certain substances and scents.
The main ingredient in this spray that applies to crawling pests is cinnamon oil. This essential oil can cause central nervous system paralysis in crawling insects. So even if it doesn’t outright kill the pests, it will be a strong repellent.
Zevo Fly, Gnat, and Housefly
Flies, gnats, and the common housefly are some of the quickest and peskiest of all flying pests. Sprays are not a good idea when addressing these pests, but Zevo’s strong repellent properties can be enough to keep them out of the area where the product has been applied.
This spray contains lactic acid n-butyl ester, which acts as both an attractant and repellent to these insects simultaneously. Since this derivative of lactic acid is ester, the isopropyl alcohol traces in the ester can kill flies and gnats if they come into contact with the substance.
Zevo Wasp, Hornet, and Yellow Jacket
This Zevo spray aims its arsenal at hornets, wasps, and yellowjackets. When battling against these painful insects, you probably want something a bit stronger, but the ingredients in this spray can potentially kill these insects on contact, so it’s worth a shot if you want to use a natural product.
Caution should be used when trying to repel these pests since these insects can become aggressive when agitated. The geraniol alone should be enough to likely kill stinging insects.
Zevo Ant, Roach, and Fly
Although not much different from the Zevo Ant, Roach, and Spider Killer, this spray is labeled as more of a multi-pest contact killer/repellent.
This formula relies less on essential oils and more on geraniol, isopropyl myristate, and triethyl citrate, and it is also the only one of the 4 containing isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). Alcohol can kill practically any insect when directly applied, and will be useful when killing large clusters of ants, flies, and even cockroaches.
How Long Does Zevo Remain Effective?
Zevo’s repellent effect usually lasts 48 to 72 hours, but it depends heavily on where and how you use it.
When sprayed on a surface — like along baseboards or countertops — the essential oils can linger for a couple of days, helping to keep bugs away during that window. But once the spray dries, it no longer kills bugs. Zevo isn’t a residual pesticide, so don’t expect it to keep working like professional-grade treatments.
Wind, sunlight, and cleaning can also wipe out its effectiveness faster, especially outdoors. If you’re using it outside, the repellent effect might only last a few hours before it breaks down.
If you need lasting results — for example, to keep ants or roaches from coming back — you’ll want a product with a residual effect, or consider calling a pest control service.
Does Zevo Work on Bed Bugs or Termites?
Short answer: No. Zevo isn’t designed for these kinds of pests, and it won’t do much beyond maybe spooking them for a few hours.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are tough, sneaky, and incredibly resilient. They hide deep in furniture, walls, and mattresses — far beyond where a surface spray like Zevo can reach. While the essential oils in Zevo may cause bed bugs to scatter temporarily, it won’t kill the colony or stop the infestation.
To actually get rid of bed bugs, you need targeted treatment — either a professional heat treatment or EPA-registered pesticides that are proven to kill them at all life stages. Zevo simply doesn’t have that kind of firepower.
Termites
Termites are even harder to hit with a spray. They live deep inside wood and underground — not out in the open. Even if you soaked infested wood with Zevo, it likely wouldn’t reach the colony or do lasting damage.
Termite control requires professional-grade products and specific strategies like bait systems or soil treatments. Zevo hasn’t been tested on termites, and using it for this purpose is a waste of time and money.
If you’re dealing with either of these pests, skip the DIY sprays. Call a licensed pest control company that specializes in bed bugs or termites — they’ll have the tools to actually solve the problem.
What Customers Say About Zevo
Most Zevo users like the product for casual, everyday use — especially those with kids or pets at home. People consistently praise its safety and ability to kill bugs quickly. That said, complaints often center around faulty sprayers and strong odors that linger longer than expected.
What People Like:
Safe to Use Around Kids and Pets
The biggest selling point for many homeowners is peace of mind — Zevo feels safer than traditional sprays. About 7 out of 10 positive reviews mention this.
“This amazing Zevo insect killer is the perfect fit for my needs. It completely keeps out all the bugs… and is super safe for my little pups.” — vicereine17
Kills Fast on Contact
Many users report solid knockdown power, especially on ants and roaches when sprayed directly.
“I sprayed this under the fridge—three roaches came out and barely made 7 inches before they unalived.” — Si’s Reviews
Smells Better Than Traditional Sprays
The essential oil scent is a plus for some users, especially compared to the chemical smell of most bug sprays.
“Smells amazing unlike other bug sprays. Works on contact and keeps the bugs away.” — Keva
What People Don’t Like:
Spray Bottles Can Malfunction
A common issue is poor packaging — broken nozzles, leaky bottles, or sprayers that stop working after a few uses.
“The trigger sprayer broke the first time. Don’t buy this product because you can’t rely on the container.” — Mikey54
Lingering Odor Despite ‘No Smell’ Claims
Some customers say the scent is much stronger than expected, especially indoors.
“It killed the ants on contact… however, the strong odor lingered in my kitchen all day despite opening windows and using fans.” — Joanie
Can I Spray Zevo on My Skin or Pet to Repel Mosquitoes?
Although the flying insect brand of Zevo may work well against potentially killing and repelling mosquitoes, this product should not be applied to the skin.
Topical repellents can work great to keep mosquitoes from biting you or your pet, but some of the natural compounds found in Zevo could make a person or pet sick even though the substances are not lethal.
Only use ointments or topical repellents that are labeled to be used on the skin for repelling mosquitoes. You could consider using Zevo for killing or repelling mosquitoes that are swarming or flying nearby.
You can check out my Thermacell Mosquito Repellent review to see a product that will actively work to keep mosquitoes away from your outdoor living space.
Zevo is generally safe and can effectively repel insects (likely for a few days) if it cannot outright kill the pests upon immediate contact. The product does work and you can be certain that it will do at least one of these labeled actions. Zevo is not a residual pesticide and should be used as such.
