Cockroaches, fleas, and bed bugs are more than a nuisance. The first sight of any of these pests makes us want to take immediate action. Many people resort to purchasing total release foggers or TRFs (bug bombs) thinking these are the solution. However, bug bombs come with a couple of problems:
- They aren’t very effective on cockroaches, fleas, or bed bugs in the long term.
- They are potentially dangerous to you, your family, and your pets.
Cockroaches and bed bugs can become immune to the active ingredients in TRFs which can make them even harder to control. Flea larvae and eggs may never even be exposed to the actives since they can live deep in carpets and upholsteries, and the pupal stage is unaffected either way. Additionally, those same TRF’s can make humans and animals very sick and even cause death if used incorrectly.
How do Bug Bombs Work?
Bug bombs are what we refer to as TRF’s (Total Release Foggers). As the name suggests, they are designed to release their entire contents upward into the space where they are triggered. In this way, the contents fill the space with an active ingredient which is poisonous. Ideally, this would kill all the pests in a given space, as long as they contact the active ingredient during its release.
How Effective Are Bug Bombs?
There’s a good reason why most PCOs Pest Control Operators) refuse to use TRFs. Although there are a few effective commercial grade TRFs available to the PCO, most don’t work well in the long run. More than anything, TRFs are marketed to homeowners and DIYers with little to no education on the use of insecticides and how they work. They’re sold as an easy method to rid your home of pests quickly, when in reality, they can actually have the opposite effect.
Although a few commercial grade TRFs can be reliable, here at Four Seasons Pest Solutions, we refuse to use them at all. The TRF is designed to “set it and forget it”. In other words, once it is activated, it is left to do its job. No targeting of pest in their harborages, no directed crack and crevice treatment, just “spray and pray” and hope it does the job. This method disperses insecticide to fill the void (the cubic dimension of the structure) and the weightier molecules all fall to the ground, landing on every surface in the home. what a mess! We prefer to target pests specifically and strategically where they enter, harbor, breed, and feed. This makes for much cleaner, healthier pest control.
TRF’s sold to the general public also contain reduced rate actives or inferior actives compared to professional grade insecticides. These weaker and less effective actives often have little to no effects on the targeted pests after the initial treatment is completed. Furthermore, those pests which are often listed on the label as target pests are rarely treated by professionals in the same manner. Among them are fleas, cockroaches, and bed bugs. Each of these pests require treatments to be directed toward harborage areas, long term residuals, and multiple treatments to achieve best results. TRF’s offer virtually none of those things.
Are DIY Bug Bombs Safe?
Bug bombs or TRF’s can pose a serious health risk to humans and pets. They can also cause significant damage to homes and other indoor settings. In 2012, the EPA required manufacturers to begin placing improved labels on TRF’s due to their risk for causing acute illnesses. These illnesses are occurring among homeowners and DIYers who have no formal training on the use of pesticides and have failed to read and adhere to the label. During 2007 – 2015, a total of 3,222 acute TRF-related illnesses were reported in only 10 U.S. states which participate in the SENSOR Pesticides program and other state programs. This is public information found on the CDC’s website. (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6704a4.htm)
The main causes for illnesses reported were
- Failure to vacate premises during treatment
- Early re-entry of treated premises
- Excessive fogger use
High concentrations of bug bomb contents evacuated into a home can also be a fire hazard. Many DIYers fail to read the entire label and do not turn off pilot lights before treating. This can spark a fire and potentially burn a structure to the ground. Failing to read the product label is the number one failure among homeowners who use insecticides, especially TRFs. Though the EPA has mandated new labeling laws, there are no current restrictions on the use of TRF’s by homeowners, failure to read the label still exists, and illnesses and deaths continue to occur. For your safety and the safety of those you love, Four Seasons Pest Solutions does not recommended that any homeowners us bug bombs or TRFs to treat for pests. The risks are much higher than the rewards, especially for those who fail to read the label.
What Illnesses Can Bug Bombs Cause?
Getting sick from the use of TRFs can be both a miserable experience and a potentially life-threatening one. Breathing in the chemicals and insecticides found in TRFs can result in allergy symptoms, asthma attacks, breathing complications, headaches, Eye irritation, skin problems, coughing, sore throat, nose irritation, dizziness, diarrhea, vomiting and even death.
How Do I Know If I Have Been Poisoned By TRFs
Pesticide poisoning symptoms differ based on the product active ingredient, route of exposure and level of exposure. TRFs are generally dangerous because people breath in the toxic vapors. Entry of insecticides through the nose is a serious exposure and should result in a visit to the doctor right away.
Serious exposure symptoms may cause incontinence, unconsciousness, seizures and even death. We will focus on mild and moderate exposures, and their symptoms. This rate of exposure will usually see symptoms within 1 hour of initial exposure but could come as much as 12 hours after exposure. These symptoms may include but are not limited to:
(These are in no particular order. One, two or any number of these symptoms may be present or absent.)
Mild Exposure
- Excessive teary eyes and blurred vision
- Miosis of the pupils (pinpoint pupils)
- Excessive sweating
- Excessive production of saliva
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Slowed heartbeat (under 50BPM)
- Rippling of surface muscles under the skin
Moderate Exposure
- Inability to walk or stand
- Chest pain, chest tightness or chest discomfort
- Severe miosis of the pupils (pinpoint pupils)
- Muscle twitching
- Involuntary bowel movements and urination
What To Do Incase of Exposure to TRFs or Other Insecticides
If you or someone you know, have been exposed to TRF insecticides through breathing them in, ingesting them or contact with the eyes or skin, seek medical attention immediately.
- If the person has inhaled insecticides, move him or her to fresh air, monitor, and wait for first responders to arrive.
- If the route of exposure was dermal (skin) remove contaminated clothing, wash skin and hair with soap and water, rinse with lots of water and wait for assistance to arrive.
- If the eyes have been exposed, flush with water for a minimum of 25 minutes, keeping eyes open while flushing. Await medical assistance.
- If swallowed or ingested, call 911 and poison control immediately. Follow their instructions.
To reach The PCC (Poison Control Center) call 1-800-222-1222.
What Insecticides Are Safe for DIYers?
Rather than detail the many ways in which insecticides can be dangerous, we will simply state that the use of insecticides by untrained persons is a risk to everyone involved. In our estimation, a safe insecticide is one in the hands of an individual who has been trained to properly use it and anything less is potentially dangerous. For the best safety measures when using any insecticides, the user MUST read and follow the label directions completely.
Here at Four Seasons Pest Solutions, we have a fully trained and qualified staff ready to tackle even the toughest pest infestations. There is no need to risk your health or the health of those you love by potential misuse of insecticides. The purpose of pest control is to make the environment you are in safer and friendlier. DIY products do not always yield those results and can have quite the opposite effect in many cases. Trust your safety and the safety of those you love to professionals who are trained to properly and judicially apply pesticides.
And remember, it’s okay to live among pests… but you don’t have to live with them!
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