Bed bug fraudsters have been caught red-handed as the American Federal Trade Commission (FTC) confronted the maker's of Rest Easy and Best Yet! bed bug sprays.

The FMB Group, LLC, made false claims of bed bug repellency and bed bug prevention with a combination organic spray of cinnamon, lemongrass, peppermint, and clove and cedar oils.

The FTC website states:

The FTC complaint charges that the RMB Group defendants make unsupported claims that Rest Easy kills and repels bed bugs, and that a consumer can create a barrier against them by spraying the product around a bed.

Under the settlement, the defendants are barred from:

• representing that Rest Easy or any other pesticide kills or repels bed bugs or creates a barrier against them, and
• making any claims about the performance of such a product, unless the representations are true and backed by competent and reliable scientific evidence.

The RMB Group, LLC and its principals have agreed to settle regarding “Rest Easy” bed bug products.

Bogus Repellent and Prevention Claims

The FTC is starting litigation proceedings against Cedarcide Industries Inc. regarding the following false advertising claims listed on the FTC website:

• unsupported claims that Best Yet! is effective at stopping and preventing bed bug infestations and that it is more effective than synthetic pesticides at doing so;
• false claims that scientific studies prove Best Yet! is effective at stopping and preventing bed bug infestations, and that it is more effective than synthetic pesticides at doing so;
• a false claim that the Environmental Protection Agency has warned consumers to avoid all synthetic pesticides for treating bed bug infestations;
• false claims that Best Yet! was invented for the U.S. Army at the request of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and that the USDA has acknowledged the product as the number one choice of bio-based pesticides.

Buyer Beware

Potential buyers are cautioned to think through an advertisers' claims - if it sounds too good to be true - it probably is just that as bed bugs are a challenging pest even for professionals. For guidance, read over the FTC publication,   “Good Night, Sleep Tight, and Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite . . . Your Wallet,” and be wary of offers for quick solutions.