All Clear Pest Control
Joe’s Blog
Do Smoke Bombs Work?
Posted 19 January 2017
The short answer is yes... and no. There is no one definite answer to this question, because it all depends on the size of the infestation and its type, as well as the risks involved.
The most common type of insects smoke bombs (or foggers) are used on are cockroaches. Before you decide to use a smoke bomb though, it is important to confirm you are sure of the type of problem you’re dealing with.
The signs of cockroach infestation include direct contact with cockroaches, which can be spotted at night, finding droppings or empty egg castings or smelling a strong, oily scent. Cockroaches can find their way into a home or business premises in a number of ways and once inside, they multiply at a rapid speed.
How does a smoke bomb work?
Also known as a cockroach bomb or fogger, smoke bombs work by releasing a pesticide into the air in a enclosed space. Falling into the ground, it coats surfaces and as a result, kills the pests. It allows you to cover the areas that are hard to get to with a spray.
Risks of using smoke bombs
Although easy to use, smoke bombs come with a number of problems. While initially effective, often cockroaches escape from the fog into even deeper hiding where they re-infest an area a few weeks later. Smoke bombs do not affect insect eggs either, making the problem untreatable in the long run. Furthermore, smoke bombs are rarely effective against flying insects.
Perhaps worse is that foggers are highly flammable because of the aerosol and the pesticides used can be toxic and coat the surfaces in your home.
More and more often, we discourage our clients from using smoke bombs. It only covers the area you target directly, treating the exposed surface where the insecticide lands. If the pest is hiding under furniture or in cracks or crevices of the house, it can simply avoid the fog.
One of the safety precautions you must follow if you decide to use a smoke bomb is to leave the premises during the fogging process and remember to air it out thoroughly afterward.
You must remember that smoke bombs are unsafe to use in households with pets.
When it comes to shop-bought smoke bombs, often they are more trouble than they are worth. They only remove the bugs you can see, without touching their source.
What Should I Do?
If you have a pest infestation problem in your household or business premises you manage, the best way to solve it is by hiring a pest control specialist. At All Clear Pest Control, we know how to both identify the type of pest in your home and locate the place of their nest.
You can contact us by calling 07876 412798 to see how we can help you.