Think Twice Before Using Bug Bombs To Solve Your Cockroach Problem

Bug bombs or foggers may seem like an easy way to get rid of unwanted roaches, but they likely won't be effective and could cause more harm than good. These pesticide bombs contain dangerous chemicals, and because of the way foggers work, the flooring, counters, furniture, and objects in your home will be covered in the toxic materials. Once a bug bomb has been activated, you'll have to leave the area for at least several hours or risk breathing in the pesticides. If inhaled, bug bombs can cause nausea, problems breathing, and dizziness, according to the Washington State Department of Health. The chemicals in roach bombs may also be troublesome for those with asthma.

Cockroaches are masters of hiding and making their nests in hard-to-reach places, and the pesticides inside foggers are often not able to get into these tight spots. "Bug bombs are not killing cockroaches," Zachary DeVries, a researcher who published a 2019 study on the efficacy of bug bombs on cockroaches in BMC Public Health, explained to North Carolina State University News. "[T]hey're putting pesticides in places where the cockroaches aren't; they're not putting pesticides in places where cockroaches are, and they're increasing pesticide levels in the home," DeVries said. "In a cost-benefit analysis, you're getting all costs and no benefits."

Not only are foggers unable to reach cockroaches in those tight spaces, but they "actually push the majority of them further into their safer hiding places," as noted by Native Pest Management, which will only exasperate the issue. Besides being ineffective in eliminating an infestation, bug bombs can be harmful to the health of your family and pets.

According to an article in HHS Public Access, children are more likely to be harmed by the residual chemicals because they put objects in their mouths and spend time on the floor, where the pesticides have settled. In fact, according to the review, infants and children "will get a larger dose per unit size of chemicals they are exposed to in their environment" when compared to adults because of their small size.

The chemicals in these pest control devices are also highly flammable. An active pilot light on a stove or water heater combined with pesticides could cause an explosion in your home. Although bug bombs are not helpful in eliminating a roach problem altogether, many people reach for them in a desperate attempt to, at the very least, temporarily fix a pest problem. If you do decide to use a fogger, make sure you keep animals out of the house, remove all toys and uncovered food from the area, and closely follow the safety directions on the label.

Ridding your home of cockroaches can be extremely tough, and if you've been dealing with a serious infestation, it's best to call a professional pest control agency. One simple way to start eliminating cockroaches from your home is to cut off access to food and water.

Making sure there are no crumbs or grease splatters on your kitchen counters can encourage these pests to leave, and because roaches love to hide, getting rid of clutter around the house will cut down on places for these insects to comfortably nest.

If you notice any cracks in exterior walls or small openings near windows where cockroaches could sneak inside, you'll need to seal them with caulk. Gel bait can be great for starting to curb the infestation if other methods don't seem to be working. According to the 2019 BMC Public Health study, gel baits are similar in price to foggers but far more effective and less dangerous.