How does bug spray kill bugs?
They use Pyrethrins. From Wikipedia: “The pyrethrins are a pair of natural organic compounds that have potent insecticidal activity.” Most bug sprays use synthetic forms of this……. “Pyrethroids are axonic poisons and cause paralysis of an organism. The chemical causes paralysis by keeping the sodium channels open in the neuronal membranes of an organism. The sodium channel consists of a membrane protein with a hydrophilic interior; this interior is effectively a tiny hole which is shaped exactly right to strip away the partially charged water molecules from a sodium ion and create a thermodynamically favorable way for sodium ions to pass through the membrane, enter the axon, and propagate an action potential. When the toxin keeps the channels in their open state, the nerves cannot de-excite, so the organism is paralyzed.” The effect of causing all of their muscles to contract uncontrollably is the reason they limp, roll, etc. They are losing control of their muscles. The effect is
