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Geraniol
- A fancy name for a compound found in rose and other essential oils. For our purposes, a plant-derived, bug-fighting super ingredient
Lemongrass
- Found in some of your favorite culinary concoctions, lemongrass oil is also an effective mosquito repellent.
Peppermint
- You might grow this lovely plant in your home or garden but its potent fragrance also helps repel mosquitoes.
Rosemary
- This herb prevents mosquitoes, from smelling their human targets. Which means they’re way less likely to find us.
About this item
- Bug spray that quickly kills ants, roaches and flies
- Plant-based active ingredient bug killer safe for use around people and pets (when used as directed)
- Entomologist tested bug spray made with botanical extracts to kill bugs; with a fresh scent and no added dye, fragrance, or harsh chemical odors
- Bug killer for indoor and outdoor use, wherever bugs try to bother you
- Rooted in Nature, Optimized by Science?
Package Dimensions : 9.09 x 3.82 x 1.77 inches; 13.12 ounces
Department : Unisex-Adult
Date First Available : September 15, 2021
Manufacturer : SC Johnson
ASIN : B09GD81Q4S
Country of Origin : USA
Best Sellers Rank: #8 in Insect & Pest Repellent Sprays
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Customer Reviews: 6,432 ratings
About this item Bug spray that quickly kills ants, roaches and flies Plant-based active ingredient bug killer safe for use around people and pets (when used as directed) Entomologist tested bug spray made with botanical extracts to kill bugs; with a fresh scent and no added dye, fragrance, or harsh chemical odors Bug killer for indoor and outdoor use, wherever bugs try to bother you Rooted in Nature, Optimized by Science?
The best defense against Mother Nature is Mother Nature. Meet STEM Kills Ants, Roaches and Flies a bug spray for home and outdoors made with botanical extracts that are safe for you, but deadly for bugs. STEMs scientists decode the power of nature, scientifically optimizing it into effective bug-fighting forms. STEM plant-based active ingredient bug spray is formulated with botanical extracts to kill ants, roaches and flies. Our insecticide is safe for use around people and pets (when used as directed) and was tested by entomologists. It has no added dye, fragrance, or harsh chemical odors, and is made for indoor and outdoor use. STEM helps protect your family. Rooted in Nature, Optimized by Science.
Patricia McDonald –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Works great but unpleasant smell
I recommend and I continue to buy because it works so well. Just doesn’t smell good!
One person found this helpful
kks –
5.0 out of 5 stars
really works
wonderful stuff, works like a dream
Suzy –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Instant Kill
This works better than any ant killer I’ve used before. Those ants stopped moving once they got in contact with this stuff
Rolando –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great product
This stuff works great, I personally don’t love the sent but it doesn’t bother my sensitive sinuses. Would recommend
Amazon Customer –
5.0 out of 5 stars
The manufacturers deserve the Nobel Prize because this stuff WORKS!
I am battling a fruit fly infestation, and let me just tell you: these little suckers have me fighting FOR MY LIFE. They find any little place to breed and live for an ungodly amount of time. They also seem immune to my vinegar and dish soap traps, and see it as me leaving out free nutrition for them. It was at the point where I could literally catch them in the air, and while it was a fun game for a bit, nothing destroys your mental health like having a bunch of fruit flies buzzing around and laying their gross little eggs in your home.I needed something pet friendly, effective, and a fast delivery time. I came across this spray and had my doubts. After trying many homemade traps, I was just pretty sure the next step was the exterminator. Then this arrived on my doorstep. Apprehensively, I opened the packaging and did a test spray. I watched the little body of the fruit fly squirm and then there was a silence so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Or rather, you could hear the body of the disgusting little vermin drop to the ground, dead. I sprayed again, and the same thing happened. The scent of this is not unlike tea tree oil. A bit pungent, but certainly not overly offensive.I waited patiently for a bunch to group together and sprayed. The saying “drop like flies” has never made more sense than in that moment, that sweet crescendo of “pop, pop, pop” as they flies fell from my vaulted ceiling to the ground ten feet below. As a vegetarian, I never knew I could derive such pleasure from the death of a creature. But these are pests, and so I happily sprayed more and more. I found two fruit flies in a *compromising position* and smirked as I aimed the nozzle toward them. Just like all the others, they spiraled downward to their demise.Wiping the spray off surfaces is important, as you need to get rid of any excess to avoid slipping. However, this does not stain fabric or surfaces, so you can spray as much as you want. I recommend leaving the window open to air the place out because it is a rather strong scent.This may be the best purchase of my life. Thank you, science!
60 people found this helpful
Leonard Sunram –
5.0 out of 5 stars
So far, so good
This product was easy to use. After cleaning winter out of the hen house, just spritz the corners, along the floor boards, in the laying boxes, along the ceiling and that’s it.
Netta –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Works very good
Works amazing
South Carolinian –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Seems to work
There were ants in my cats’ food, and I realized they had forged a path underneath my rugs in the kitchen. After temporarily relocating the cats’ food bowls, I sprayed STEM wherever I saw ant trails, then wiped it up with paper towels, which I discarded in an outdoor trash bin. This seems to have worked. The cat food is now back in its normal spot but the ants are no longer there. I do wish the product label were better, as I had to check them website to learn that STEM is an SC Johnson product. Still, I have reordered this spray, as it smells pleasant, appears to be non-toxic, and seems to be effective.
18 people found this helpful
Terri Frazier –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bug Spray
This spray is awesome, one squirt and bugs are out of there.
mitch –
4.0 out of 5 stars
BE CAREFUL WITH HOW MUCH AND WHERE YOU SPRAY
After the first time using this product it definitely worked, I’ve noticed little to no fruit flys since spraying. However there is no instructions on the label so I wasn’t sure how much to spray. I sprayed all of my plants and heavily sprayed the plant I believed had the most fruit flys. The spray killed the plant that I heavily sprayed which is probably my fault for overdoing it but it would’ve been nice to know not to spray that much or keep it away from the stems. The stems of that plant got all brown and mushy due to the spray which is what caused it to die. My other plants I sprayed are fine except for a few stems on one of my plants that also got brown and mushy at the base. This product definitely worked but I recommend not spraying a lot of it and keeping the spray away from the stems.
4 people found this helpful
Cuatro Mom –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Effective & Immediate Results!
My family and I are 4 children and us 2 adults, thus a chemical-free product like this is ideal. We have black wido spiders around the home, roaches, ants… but not for long when we use this spray! It smells pleasant and is very safe for children along with deleting the insect problems! Thank you Stem!
4 people found this helpful
JKM –
5.0 out of 5 stars
This product does kill flys!
Occasionally I get flys in my house, and they are annoying! I have a 10 month old English Setter who loves pointing them and occasionally catches one. I’ve tried other methods (besides the dog) to kill them without much success. Then I found Stem and because it was safe to use around people and pets I bought it. It works beautifully! The only thing I want others to know is there is maybe some sort of oil in the product. I have hardwood floors and I noticed that in the areas I was spraying a fly, the product mist landed on the floor making the floor VERY slick. I will continue to use this product because it works so well, but I’ll just have to clean afterwards. Unless…. I can teach the setter to do it….
6 people found this helpful
Amazon Customer –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Works well, smells horrible (to me)
It worked but made the whole house smell like chemicals to me. I researched geraniol oil (the active ingredient) and learned that it’s naturally occurring and safe, but can have a “polarizing” smell.
2 people found this helpful
Emmie Ledsinger –
5.0 out of 5 stars
It actually works, well!
My child & I have a general bug phobia, especially ants. I’m also Epipen allergic to most stinging things. I originally bought this as a bug defense blanket for my son to keep under his bathroom sink, as I didn’t think it would work quickly or very effectively. The day it arrived a wasp flew in from the back porch and landed on a bedroom window. One spray and that beast was neutralized before it hit the window sill! It is quick and easy to use. Best of all it actually does the job without nasty, smelly chemicals. I’ll be purchasing a bottle for every porch/entryway.
5 people found this helpful
Tracy –
3.0 out of 5 stars
Oily and little bit stout smelling
Spraying on the floor makes it really oily and difficult to clean. Smell is stronger that what was in reviews. I have had allergies and this was a little strong for me
DebraAnn Wooldridge –
5.0 out of 5 stars
MIRACLE ROACH KILLER AND SAFE
Made of plant botanicals to safely protect family, home n pets YES!! And a VERY GOOD smell, MY ROACHES ARE DEAD. Sprayed in PM and AM I wiped out Roaches. 2 Btls used thru house and saving the third Btl for TOUCH UP. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TREATMENT SPRAY, GOOD VALUE FOR DEAD ROACHES AND ITS NATURAL SAFE!!
5 people found this helpful
Mchan –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect when used with…
Liquid traps! By itself, this spray does do as advertised, albeit one spritz may not be enough on contact. At least two, with an optional just-in-case third.The most major downside about this product is the pests need to be sprayed when/if you can catch them. Say you’re washing your hands in the bathroom, and happen to spot a few hanging out on the shower curtain out the corner of your eye. In the time it could take to grab the bottle, from wherever it is, and aim the offenders may be long gone and nowhere in sight. It’d be great if this spray could not only eliminate on contact, but along cracks or wherever it’s sprayed. While also remaining pet safe when used on house-surfaces.It’s also extremely slippery, which is also mentioned on the back, so it’ll need to be wiped or mopped up right after if on the floor.Overall, using this by itself can help, but not in the most major of ways. Pair it with some liquid traps tho, and your bug-ridding life just got a little easier imo. Still a good purchase!
6 people found this helpful
Kaleigh –
1.0 out of 5 stars
Fumes are very bad- beware
The first day I used this product I was please with the fact that it worked just as well as competitors that used pesticides in their products. However the smell immediately was very intense and strong. It’s very concentrated. Now maybe I sprayed too much but it still seems like even 1 spray packs a hard punch as far as fumes goes. I sprayed it a couple times outside then brought the bottle inside and placed it on a table. A few minutes later I asked my mom who was over visiting, if she sprayed any as there was a very strong smell inside even though I had only sprayed it outside, and she of course did not. I was smelling the bit on the top of the sprayer from when using it outside, meanwhile it smelt like I just sprayed a good bit inside. I wasn’t too concerned at first and just disregarded it. we have a bad roach problem and they were already in our home when we moved and our water heater busted and flooded our house not long ago and ever since the roaches have been uncomfortable. It has taken a toll on my families mental health. Needless to say we have an exterminator coming next week but haven’t been able to afford it just yet so got this for the meantime. Fast forward to tonight and I’m furious. I’m gonna preface this by saying our house is out of the normal as far as how much we need to spray due to how bad the problem is, however I can’t help but feel the strength of the smell of this product added to the fire big time.So those of you who only have normal and under control for the most part pest control issues this may be okay for you.We found a bunch of roaches in my dining room in the curtains ( they are awful it’s so upsetting) and in the track of the sliding glass door- they are German roaches so they are small- my fiancé sprayed them. Now he used quite a few sprays but since they are small they don’t cover too much area so not enough in my opponent’s for what happens. Immediately he comments on how strong the smell is, keep in mind I have fought this man on using raid- he has wanted to but I bought this product so it’s “safer”. After a few minutes the smell becomes almost unbearable as we both develope bad headaches. Luckily my child was in bed already. We closed her door and put a blanket to cover the crack on the bottom. We had birds in the corner we cleaned and felt we had to move them to another room for safety. We got all the fans in our house and turned them towards the curtains we sprayed and opened the glass doors for air.Asking story short we have all coke to my moms house to spend the night because of this. I literally got my child out of bed who is only 3, and me and my fiancé came to sleep at my moms because him and I were both starting to feel worse and he wa so bad he was outside feeling like he was going to get sick.Now at my moms our symptoms have gone. I am so in shock. Yes I realize my situation may be different but mind you we still tried not to spray too much as we do keep those things in mind to not use too much- for comparison my fiancé has used the same amount of raid in a similar manner in the last few months and within 30 minutes the house was completely aired out and not an issue anymore.We waited almost 2 hours before making the decision to come to my moms. I am still concerned about my fiancé and hoping he recovers in the morning.If you have normal bugs this again may work but be so careful as this products fumes are extremely strong.
24 people found this helpful
THEO –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Almost the Perfect Product!
### STEM Ant Killer ReviewSTEM Ant Killer is a game-changer in the world of natural pest control. As someone who is cautious about the chemicals used around my home, especially with kids and pets, finding an effective and safe ant killer has been a challenge. STEM Ant Killer exceeds expectations in both efficacy and safety, making it a near-perfect product.From the moment you spray, you can see the powerful botanical-based formula in action. It not only eradicates ants quickly but also prevents them from coming back, providing long-lasting protection. The peace of mind that comes with knowing the product is derived from natural ingredients is unparalleled. Unlike other natural ant killers that often require multiple applications and still leave doubts about their effectiveness, STEM delivers consistent and reliable results.The convenience of use is another major highlight. The nozzle design allows for precise application, ensuring you target only the areas needed without excess spray. This makes it particularly handy for indoor use, avoiding unnecessary exposure to surfaces that come into contact with family members.While STEM Ant Killer is already an outstanding product, it could reach perfection with a minor enhancement: a capture chamber connected to the nozzle for overhead use. This addition would set it apart from all other natural ant killers on the market. Imagine effortlessly targeting hard-to-reach spots like ceiling corners or high shelves where ants often travel, without the mess or risk of dripping. Such a feature would not only enhance usability but also ensure even more comprehensive coverage, leaving no place for ants to hide.In summary, STEM Ant Killer is almost the perfect solution for anyone seeking a safe, effective, and natural way to manage ant problems. Its potent formula and ease of use make it a standout product. With the potential addition of an overhead capture chamber, it would undoubtedly become the superior choice in natural pest control, unmatched by any competitor.
Ncintx –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Works but leaves oily residue
It kills flies pretty quickly, some are those buggers are more stubborn than others and need to be sprayed multiple times but even the scent of this stuff in the bathroom made the flies that weren’t sprayed start dropping. It is oily so you have to clean after, like if sprayed on mirror or window, it’s obviously greasy. But very helpful and works. The scent is essential oils very strong maybe lemongrass? Not chemical which if why I got it but a very strong scent that fades after a day.
3 people found this helpful
LadyD –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Effective
Does not smell the best but it’s incredibly effective!!! I’ve used it on cluster flies with results that have surpassed any other products.
Sierra Stephenson –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Works well around pets
A good ant spray for people with pets doesn’t smell bad like poison
ValPal –
5.0 out of 5 stars
IT WORKS
It killed the ants in my condo over night. One use and haven’t seen them since. Love it
L.B. –
3.0 out of 5 stars
Can’t wash up residue!
This product may work well, no smell, but you can’t wash the residue from surface. I sprayed on kitchen floor cuz of ants. Now have mopped floor three times and my cane still slips. Floor no longer looks like residue is still on floor, but the underlying slippy surface is still there. Safety my biggest concern. Can slip and fall if you have a physical challenge. Now I got scatter rugs along floor for walking. Not recommend for use indoors nor outdoors less on bushes. Can’t remove the residue.I’ve had this product sine 2023 but afraid to use. First time was 24 hours ago. Been a terrible nightmare. WON’T BE USING IN HPUSE AGAIN. BUSHES ONLY. NOT ON A SURFACE! DO NOT RECOMMEND.
11 people found this helpful
KristenK –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing around my pets!
I’ve tried everything and finally got my German roach problem in my apartment under control with those ultrasonic devices. However, I soon found many harboring at the top of my heated hedgehog cage. I tried everything else I could think of to rid them without chemicals. Nothing worked. However, used this once & the residue on the blanket that covers the top of her cage has kept them away. Killed them all within seconds of spraying. Hurray! Hoping it keeps working.
Emily Schafer –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ants hate it
Ants hate the smell and so do I, but it does the job and makes me feel safer with a toddler and dogs running around
Cassandra Vega –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Works! Smells nice
I love that it has natural ingredients because I have pets! It kills on contact and it smells nice!
Genie –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good bug spray
Works great. It’s a little sticky for indoors.
Derek –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great – Wish it was Aqueous
First things first, as a research biologist, I love Stem’s marketing and design ambitions with this product. Nature is a very good chemist; the active ingredient in this spray basically causes insect nerves to go haywire while having little effect on humans (see Price & Berry 2006 and Chen & Viljoen 2010). In short, unlike a lot of other stuff that advertises itself as “natural,” this isn’t snake oil.As far as efficacy, I’ve used this to kill the occasional ant and fly in my apartment. Unlike a harsher pesticide (e.g. Raid), it doesn’t drop them immediately, but a single spray kills any ant it touches fairly quickly, and causes houseflies to go into a death spiral. I’m happy to take the slightly reduced efficacy if it means not harming local honeybee populations (as the active ingredients in most pesticide spray does)! It also leaves a botanical scent that smells like fresh grated ginger and lingers for maybe an hour – I found it very pleasant, but your mileage may vary.The biggest downside by far is the fact that the ingredients are suspended in mineral oil. I suppose it’s a necessary evil, but it leaves a mess on floors, windows, etc. that simply does not go away by itself – you simply have to wipe it up. I’m hoping that in the future we see an updated formula that delivers geraniol as a micellar solution in water or isopropyl alcohol (or octanol or *anything* – mineral oil is so awful to clean!), but until then, this is definitely my go-to light-duty bug spray.
81 people found this helpful
Raj –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Much cheaper than the competition
Works as well too!
J. Singleton –
5.0 out of 5 stars
It Works!
I was being terrorized by little ants on or near my desk where I work all day. I tried using peppermint oil and they could care less. Got ant traps but they don’t repel them and I didn’t want to wipe out the whole species just keep them away. Got this Stem spray and have not seen one since I sprayed. It is quite strong smelling but not unpleasant.
One person found this helpful
Pedro Ramirez –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mata al instante
Me llego hoy y lo aplique, en las áreas dónde eran vistas las cucara y en cuestión de minutos salieron brincando y luego estimaron las patas . Lo recomiendo ya que soy asmático y alérgico esto me resultó impresionante 😲 . Pronto haré otra compra estoy feliz 😄 como una lombriz jajajajaja 🤣. Gracias 👍
Erica F. –
4.0 out of 5 stars
The smell…
I bought this some time ago because it was said to be safe to use indoor. The smell is horrible. I have sprayed it in my bathroom to get rode of some small ants and had to leave the fan on all day. Still didn’t get ride of the smell. I don’t think I will purchase again because the smell gives me a headache.
Ellyn S. –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Safe for the pets
Title says most. But almost have to drown disgusting Florida palmetto bugs to kill them. Also, plastic spray bottle dispenses greasy film on tile floors. (Slippery). Does not smell bad. Wouldn’t trade it for unhealthy aerosol bug spray, though that type kills faster.
One person found this helpful
Mark –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great stuff!
This stuff works like a charm on crazy ants and is safe to use around children and pets. It’s does leave an oily residue but that work for me as I use it around door jams and window seals inside of course. Great value for the money would definitely recommend.
4 people found this helpful
Skyserve –
4.0 out of 5 stars
To spray or not to spray, that is the question
First, I would like to say the chemical used here is outstanding. I have three animals that are constantly in the house, and would just feel terrible if something happened to one of them because of a chemical, but the spray mechanism stops functioning after several uses, and it cannot be unscrewed and replaced by another spray bottle it will not unscrew, I’m going to have to cut one of them so that I can get it into a different container
2 people found this helpful
racost826 –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fingers crossed
Has a clean sent. Last year we spent 200.00, on trying to get rid of ants. Hopefully this works and we don’t have to call an exterminator again.
Mr. CathcartMr. Cathcart –
5.0 out of 5 stars
It works!
Needed to find something for fruit flies. We have a new puppy so we’re letting him in and out a lot and it was letting lots of fruit flies in the house. Sprayed this on the outside of the back door and its kept them from coming inside the house. Definitely recommend this!!
2 people found this helpful
Jordan –
4.0 out of 5 stars
SMELLY!!
Not sure how this works so will report back on that but it SMELLS. Extremely strong scent that kind of smells like burnt rubber? For only $6 I can’t complain and if it works it works, but just beware of the smell when you’re buying.
JLong –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great any repellant
We had a small ant problem in our dining room so needed something that wasn’t smelly and pet/kid friendly and this did the trick! I simply sprayed along the baseboard trim and within a day or so the ants were dead/gone! It didnt leave a messy residue and didnt ruin the hardwood floor or baseboards either.
One person found this helpful
Rachel –
5.0 out of 5 stars
You need this in your life!
It’s spring/summertime and our not so friendly friends have arrived, flies!I’ve never sprayed something that instantly kills flies, but this stuff one spray and they’re down. If you have dogs, or flies in your backyard and you’ve been looking for something to kill flies, this works like a charmI order 4 at a time.
One person found this helpful
Ann Schafer –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Stem Kills Ants, Roaches And Flies: Plant-Based Active Ingredient
It smells awful.
One person found this helpful
Rhonda Hartman –
4.0 out of 5 stars
I personally don’t like the smell of this product
It’s a good price but like I said I personally don’t like the smell
Ouida Stephens –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stem
I like the product. Spray once and the bugs drop dead I their tracks
James Chicago3xD –
5.0 out of 5 stars
This stuff works!
For a Natural product, this stuff really works well, especially against flying insects, safe for kids and pets
Customer –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bug stopper
One quick spray and poof, they’re dead. Hard to believe but it even worked on fruit flies which are next to impossible to get rid of. Best harm free bug spray I’ve ever found and quite affordable. Handy spray bottle makes it easy to aim and shoot and after multiple uses, no leakage noted
One person found this helpful
Tarren –
5.0 out of 5 stars
This stuff is amazing for roaches.
We live in Texas and in apartments. It is almost impossible to get rid of roaches entirely, and so I purchased this product to deal with the few we see- it smells nice, kills very quickly, and the oil left behind (while a little annoying to deal with) seems to dissuade others from wandering the area.
8 people found this helpful
Eduvina A. –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very good spray for bugs
We got rid of the ants quick with this spray!It’s a good value for the money!
Leann nelson –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Does the job
I’m not really a fan of the smell it’s very strong and oily so be careful wherever u spray it wipe it up afterwards . Howeverrrrrr it does workkkk it takes a few spray but I guarantee it kills them
One person found this helpful
v299 –
5.0 out of 5 stars
This stuff WORKS!
I like it because it WORKS! And I can use it around pets and in my home! I keep 2 bottles on hand at all times.
Wonderful. After one application ants were gone –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great natural product!
It works!
JAMIE JOHNSON –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome product
Love the product not to fond of the chemical smell.
Sherri A –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Repellant works well
Bought this to help with ants, worked immediately and haven’t seen any since I used this product a few months ago. It does stink, but scent does fade after a while.
faith –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Killer…
It kills fruit flies really well, the only thing is I wished the spray was a finger mist; but I put it into a smaller bottle with finer mist
2 people found this helpful
Simo –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kill
It kill ants 🐜 fast
Negadelphia –
5.0 out of 5 stars
It works!
This stuff really does work. Ants were swarming the other day and just a couple of sprays and they were dead! YES.
Lauren Hill –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good for spring tails
Works great for springtails also! Heavy lemongrass oil smell
One person found this helpful
Jon Smith –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kills on contact
Works well kills instantly
Shannon R.Shannon R. –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Stem
I love this product, but the only bad thing is that it leaves a greasy film on everything. But it does work on the bugs 🐛 and 🪰 flys.
LynC –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!
Absolutely works wonders on ants and roaches!!