Laboratory, simulated-use, and field evaluation of non-insecticidal consumer products for indoor pest management: a freeze-spray aerosol, light traps, and an 'insect repellent' lamp.

BACKGROUND: Public and regulatory efforts to reduce reliance on synthetic insecticides have accelerated the promotion of non-insecticidal strategies for indoor pest management, yet reliable evidence of their effectiveness remains limited. In this study, the efficacy of commercially available non-insecticidal products, including a freeze-spray aerosol, light traps, and an 'insect repellent' lamp, was examined under laboratory, simulated-use, and field conditions. RESULTS: In the laboratory tests, the freeze-spray aerosol produced faster knockdown and higher mortality in the following order: Asian tiger mosquitoes, house flies, and German cockroaches. However, in the simulated-use test, the order was reversed for spray-to-retrieval time between cockroaches and house flies, with cockroaches retrieved more rapidly (25.5 ± 2.5 s) than house flies (72.7 ± 15.9 s). A knockback effect, quantified by jet-induced force (0.43 ± 0.04 mN for house flies at 30 cm), a narrow effective cooling zone (< 3 cm in radius), and post-chilling recovery were identified as practical limitations. For light traps, fan-equipped traps generally outperformed electric-grid traps, and CO2 supplementation substantially improved mosquito attraction. In a 4-week in-home trial, 78.9% of participants reported a perceived reduction in pest density, although satisfaction was influenced more by user experience than by capture outcomes. A limited effective range and disturbance from fan noise and light emission were noted as drawbacks. The 'insect repellent' lamp reduced mosquito attraction only in the laboratory choice test and showed no repellent effect in the outdoor field test. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that the effectiveness of non-insecticidal consumer products may be limited under real-use conditions, highlighting the need for standardized, use-relevant efficacy evaluations and clearer public communication. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.