Hot Shot bedbug pesticide ineffective, class action claims

Hot Shot bedbug pesticide class action lawsuit overview: 

• Who: Plaintiff Jon Martin filed a class action lawsuit against Spectrum Brands Inc. and its subsidiary United Industries Corporation. 
• Why: Martin claims Hot Shot Bedbug & Flea Fogger manufactured by United Industries and marketed and sold by Spectrum is ineffective at its intended purpose of killing bed bugs, despite advertising to the contrary. 
• Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in New York federal court. 

Hot Shot Bedbug & Flea Fogger is ineffective at its intended purpose of killing bed bugs, despite prominently advertising on the front of its packaging that it “kills bed bugs,” a new class action lawsuit claims. 

Plaintiff Jon Martin’s class action lawsuit alleges the Hot Shot bed bug product is, in reality, “a sham” and “worthless,” as evidenced by a 2012 study conducted by researchers at Ohio State University’s Department of Entomology. 

Martin says the study found there was “strong evidence” that Hot Shot Bedbug & Flea Fogger was “ineffective as (a) bed bug control agent,” mirroring conclusions he claims scientists have long-had about comparable fogger products. 

“For years, scientists have agreed that foggers like the Product should not be recommended for control of household pests because there is minimal penetration of the insecticide into pest harborage sites,” the Hot Shot class action states. 

Martin wants to represent a class of consumers who purchased the Hot Shot Bedbug & Flea Fogger product anywhere in the US and a subclass of consumers who purchased the product in the state of New York. 

Hot Shot pesticide fogger ‘worthless,’ class action lawsuit says

Martin argues he relied on the alleged representation that the Hot Shot Bedbug & Flea Fogger “kills bed bugs” when purchasing the product at its listed price, believing the statement meant it would kill bed bugs when used as directed, according to the bed bug pesticide class action.

“In short, the Product was worthless because it is ineffective in killing bed bugs commonly found in homes and therefore Plaintiff Martin was damaged in the amount of the full purchase price of Product,” the Hot Shot pesticide class action states. 

Martin claims Spectrum Brands, which markets and distributes the product, and its subsidiary United Industries Corporation, which manufactures the product, are guilty of fraud and unjust enrichment, among other things, and of violating New York General Business Law. 

The plaintiffs are demanding a jury trial and requesting declaratory relief along with an award of  compensatory, statutory and punitive damages for himself and all class members. 

In other bed bug product-related news, pest control company Maggie’s Farm recalled around 14,500 cans of its Bed Bug & Flea Killer in August 2023 over concerns the cans could rupture and expel shrapnel, creating an injury risk.  

Have you ever purchased Hot Shot Bedbug & Flea Fogger? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiff is represented by Joshua D. Arisohn of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. 

The Hot Shot bedbug pesticide class action lawsuit is Martin v. United Industries Corp., et al., Case No. 7:24-cv-00433, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. 

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