While we understand the urge to bomb your entire house when you have a bug infestation, is it the best path you should take? Sure, there are success stories behind bug bombs and bug foggers, but is it the right choice for your bug situation, your family, your life? Learn more about the precautions of bug bombs so you can best plan your attack against the insects that drive you mad.
HOW THEY WORK
While there are many options for foggers and bug bombs on the market, they all typically work in the same way. Once they are activated a mix of chemicals fills the air and then land on surfaces around the home, in hopes to kill a variety of bugs such as ants, spiders, bed bugs, fleas, and roaches. Typically, on the packaging, the companies claim it’s a one and done experience that will leave your home pest-free, but is it? These devices are designed to kill specific bugs that are present in the home, but the vapors do not quite make it into cracks and crevices where bugs often hide.
PRECAUTIONS & LATEST RESEARCH
When using these devices, it is extremely important to read and follow the instructions and take the necessary precautions. Often there are recommendations to leave the home or apartment, remove flammable things, cover delicate objects and furniture, and store away foods, so there is prep work to be done before releasing the bug-killing fumes. After using a bug bomb, it is recommended to wait at least two hours before re-entering the home. Once able to re-enter the home, venting out the air is recommended, and all surfaces should be cleaned.
Recent research from Washington State University explains how exposure to the vapors in foggers and bombs can cause nose and throat irritation, difficulty breathing, coughing, headaches, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, or allergic symptoms. These symptoms could be found among children, adults, and pets. So, is it worth it? We think not and we are not the only ones. It seems that these bugs are almost always hiding. Take bed bugs for example, they enjoy beds and nestle deep within the bed frame, furniture, and mattress, so bug bombs typically can’t reach them. Roaches typically are not roaming around in the open either but hiding away in cabinets where food or dishes are stored. So, if you have skittish insects, our money is on them avoiding the bug bomb entirely.
WHAT WE RECOMMEND
We say no to bug foggers and bug bombs. If you can, first bait. If baiting doesn’t seem like the best option, then kill bugs on contact. When it comes to ants and cockroaches, we have plenty of baiting options for you. We tend to prefer baiting because it can control more of the colony, especially with ants. If you go the route of a contact killing spray it does provide you with more control to eradicate the insects rather than treating the entire house when that might not be necessary. Rest assured, no matter what insect is roaming your home, we have a solution for it, if not multiple!
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