Bug bombs, or total release foggers, might seem like a quick fix for a pest problem, but they’re not as straightforward or safe as they appear. These devices release pesticides into the air, which can linger and pose health risks. The Environmental Protection Agency warns against using them without proper precautions, as they can affect air quality throughout your home, not just in the targeted room.
In this guide, we’ll explore how bug bombs work, safety measures you should take when using them, and alternatives, including professional pest control services.
What Is a Bug Bomb?
A bug bomb, technically known as a total release fogger, is a pesticide-infused aerosol (typically pyrethrins or pyrethroids) that emits a mist to tackle infestations of insects like fleas, bed bugs, and cockroaches. Using a bug bomb releases a fine insecticide mist that fills the room, settling on surfaces to disrupt and destroy insects’ nervous systems.
Bug bombs are meant for whole-house treatments, making them useful for severe infestations. However, they require careful handling due to potential health risks, including respiratory irritation, and they call for temporary evacuation of the treated area.
Should I Stay in My House While Using a Bug Bomb?
Quick Tip
- While it may seem reasonable to stay in a different room of your house while using a bug bomb, we don’t recommend taking this action. If the insecticides from the bomb seep into the room you’re in, you could experience serious health conditions.
The EPA recommends leaving your home for the duration of time indicated on the label of your bug bomb. On average, people and pets should stay out of the home for two to four hours. No room in your house is completely airtight, and dangerous fumes from a bug bomb, even in a closed room, can seep into other areas of the house. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions written on the label or the box.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracked bug bomb-related illnesses across 10 states for eight years. Researchers found 3,222 cases of illness, most often caused by failure to vacate the premises or re-entering the premises too early. The most severe cases of illness were linked to failure to vacate or using too many bug bombs for the space. Cough, upper respiratory irritation and pain, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramping were the most common symptoms. Most cases were mild, but four during that time were fatal.
Why Can’t You Bug Bomb One Room?
Using a bug bomb in a single room isn’t just ineffective, it can be dangerous. Bug bombs are designed to treat entire structures, not individual rooms. Attempting to do so can put your health at risk due to the chemicals spreading throughout your home.
Your HVAC system and the natural airflow within your house will carry the airborne chemicals far beyond the intended area. Even if you try to seal off the room, the fumes can still seep into other spaces, contaminating your entire home for at least two to four hours
Are Bug Bombs Worth the Risk?
The potential dangers and limitations of bug bombs raise serious concerns, and you do have other options. Here’s what to consider as you weigh the risks and benefits:
Bug Bomb Health Risks
Exposure to bug bomb chemicals can have serious short- and long-term health consequences. If you wait too long to leave or come back too soon, you could experience the following symptoms from breathing in the fog:
- Allergic reactions
- Coughing
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Nose and throat irritation
- Vomiting
Direct contact with the mist can cause skin and eye irritation. Other health risks vary depending on the length of exposure and the specific pesticide used. Long-term, some pesticides have been linked to cancer, neurological problems, and reproductive issues. Bug bombs pose a higher risk to children, the elderly, and people with asthma or other respiratory conditions.
Bug bombs are also a fire hazard. Open flames or sparks, such as pilot lights, can ignite the highly flammable propellants, potentially leading to a fire or explosion. Even a spark from your refrigerator cycling on or off could lead to disaster.
Bug Bomb Limitations
While bug bombs may seem like a quick fix, they’re rarely a long-term solution. These foggers aren’t effective against all insects, especially if they hide in cracks or crevices. The spray often won’t penetrate into the hidden spots where insects lay their eggs, and it doesn’t prevent pests from accessing food and water sources. Many bugs are tough survivors, finding ways to hide out and reproduce even after a bug bomb treatment.
According to the EPA, bug bombs shouldn’t be used as your only pest control method. They can be useful tools, but they rarely eliminate an infestation on their own. Since bug bombs don’t address why pests are in your home in the first place, they’re likely to come back.
Safety Precautions To Consider When Using a Bug Bomb
Bug bombs can cause health problems when inhaled, and they’re also flammable. In addition to vacating your home during treatment, there are a few other safety precautions you should take:
- Read the label carefully: The label on your product will give you important safety precautions and instructions on how to safely and effectively use it.
- Remove important items, especially uncovered food: Removing toys, plants, clothes, and uncovered food from the area you’re going to treat helps prevent the bug bomb from contaminating these items.
- Close the doors: If you’re treating just one area of your home, close any doors that lead into the space. This won’t seal off the room completely, but it will limit the number of surfaces that come in contact with the pesticide.
- Don’t use more bug bombs than needed: Read the label on your bug bomb to determine how much of the product you should release into your home. Typically, a 6-ounce fogger can treat a space of up to 25 feet by 25 feet. Releasing too much product or using more than one bug bomb per room can lead to a buildup of flammable vapors or cause illness. It won’t be any more effective at killing bugs than if you followed the directions.
- Don’t use the product in small, enclosed spaces: Using a bug bomb in small, enclosed spaces like closets and cabinets can cause the product to explode.
- Keep bug bombs away from ignition sources and pilot lights: You should always keep bug bombs at least 6 feet away from gas or electrical appliances, like your refrigerator or air conditioner, so that they don’t accidentally explode and start a fire.
- Notify others not to enter your home: If you use a bug bomb while a family member or roommate is away, notify them not to enter your home by texting them, calling them, and placing a visible note on the front door.
- Air out your home: When you return to your house, open your doors and windows so that any remaining fumes are safely ventilated. You can also place fans in doorways and on windows to air out the space.
Alternatives to Bug Bombs
Even for severe infestations, bug bombs may not be the best or only option. Whether you go the DIY route or hire a professional, you can often find safer and more effective ways to tackle your pest problem.
DIY Bug Bomb Alternatives
Before resorting to bug bombs, consider these DIY pest control solutions:
- Targeted pesticides: Instead of applying a whole-house treatment, identify the specific pest and its areas of activity. Then, look for products specifically designed for the pest you’re dealing with. For example, cockroach traps, termite bait stations, or ant gel can help control pests without exposing your entire home to chemicals.
- Natural options: While they have limitations, natural options are worth exploring. Diatomaceous earth, a non-toxic powder, can be sprinkled in areas where insects travel. Essential oils like peppermint or cedarwood can deter certain bugs, though their effectiveness is often short-lived.
- Prevention and exclusion: The most effective long-term pest control focuses on prevention. Seal up cracks and entry points where pests can get in. Remove clutter, keep food properly sealed, and address moisture issues that attract bugs. A clean and well-maintained home is less hospitable to pests in the first place.
Professional Pest Control
If you’re facing a severe infestation or aren’t sure of the best approach, consider enlisting professional help. Pest control companies offer a more integrated approach, personalized recommendations, and targeted treatments that may be less harmful than bug bombs.
Professional pest control services cost more than DIY solutions but are typically more effective. Most companies will even return for free if your problem persists after treatment.
However, if bug bombs and pest control aren’t for you, check out our review of ultrasonic pest repellers.
Best Pest Control Companies
Bug bombs can be useful in killing some pests, but they don’t penetrate small cracks and crevices or prevent future pests from invading your home. For a more integrated pest management approach, consider hiring a professional pest control company to target the infestation.
To save our readers time, we’ve examined dozens of major pest control providers in the United States, comparing factors like cost and plan details, and compiled a list of the best pest control companies.
We recommend getting a free quote from the companies listed below, Terminix and Orkin, to determine which pest control service is right for you.
Provider | Terminix | Orkin |
|---|---|---|
|
Our overall score out of 100 |
98.5 |
94 |
|
Best for |
Best Overall |
Best for Urgent Service |
|
Annual cost for general pest control |
$550–$700 |
$575 |
|
State availability |
47 |
49 |
|
BBB rating |
A |
A+ |
|
Online chat |
Yes |
No |
Our Conclusion
Bug bombs might seem like a simple fix for a pest problem, but the risks outweigh the potential benefits in many situations. Remember, you cannot safely bug bomb one room and stay in the house. Bug bombs are designed to flood your entire home with pesticides, posing a serious health risk to anyone who remains inside.
If you’re facing a pest problem, safer and more effective options exist. Start by identifying the specific pest, then focus on targeted treatments or prevention. For large or persistent infestations, we recommend consulting a professional pest control company.
FAQs About Bug Bombs
How long should you stay out of the house after using a bug bomb?
Read the label on your product to see how long you must vacate the house. Typically, you should stay out of your house for two to four hours.
Do I have to wash everything after using a bug bomb?
Read the instructions on your bug bomb for cleaning instructions after using the product, and move valuable or delicate items to another room. Consider washing your clothes and gently cleaning any fabrics or furniture that came into contact with the gases released by the bomb.
Can you bug bomb your apartment?
Yes, you can bug bomb an apartment, but check with your landlord to ensure this treatment is allowed.
Can you set off a flea bomb with cats in the house?
No, the insecticides in a flea bomb are harmful to cats and other pets, so remove them from your home before setting off the device.
Do I need to wash my clothes after a flea bomb?
Yes, you should wash any clothes that came into contact with the gases released from the flea bomb.
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our pest control recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider. We review pest control plans, navigate the provider website, speak with customer service representatives by phone and online chat (if available), request quotes, and analyze customer reviews for each provider. We then score the provider against our review standards for plans and services, reputation and customer responses, customer service offerings, workmanship guarantees, financing, and availability to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.
