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Total release foggers, also known as "bug bombs," are pesticide products containing aerosol propellants that release their contents at once to fumigate an area. These products are often used around the home to kill co*ckroaches, fleas, and other pests. Because the aerosol propellants in these foggers typically are flammable, improper use may cause a fire or explosion. In addition to this hazard, failure to vacate premises during fogging or reentering without airing out may result in illness.
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Take Other Common-Sense Precautions
Videos
Vacate the treated residence after application
Do not use more foggers than necessary
Keep foggers away from ignition sources
Pest Prevention First
Foggers and bug bombs should not be used as the only method to attempt to control bed bugs. See Should I Use a Fogger?
The most effective way to reduce or eliminate pest problems and risks posed by pesticides is to first prevent these pests from entering your home. Around the home, such measures include:
- removing sources of food and water (such as leaky pipes) and
- destroying pest shelters and breeding sites (such as litter and plant debris).
For additional information about preventing pests around the home, see Got Pests? Control them Safely.
See the Citizen's Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safetyfor more advice on pest issues and pesticide safety.
Safety Precautions
When nonchemical pesticide prevention measures are not effective to control pests, you may choose to use a chemical pesticide. One type of product is the total release fogger. While these products can be effective under the proper circ*mstances, they can pose real risks to your home and family if used improperly. Before using a total release fogger in your home or building, please read and follow these safety tips and common-sense precautions.
- Do not use more foggers than necessary - Watch Video
Accidents involving total release foggers have occasionally occurred when the user releases too much fogging material, leading to a buildup of flammable vapors. Foggers come in several sizes. Read the label carefully to determine the appropriate size for the space you have.
To calculate the volume of a living area, multiply the height, width, and length of each room, and then add the room volumes together. For example, a 10 foot by 10 foot room with a standard 8 foot ceiling has a volume of 800 cubic feet.
Foggers should not be used in small, enclosed places, such as closets, cabinets, or under counters or tables. Use of a fogger in an enclosed space may cause the product to explode, resulting in injury to people or damage to property.
- Keep foggers away from ignition sources - Watch Video
Accidents are most likely to occur if large amounts of fogger material come into direct contact with an ignition source, such as a flame, pilot light, or spark from an electrical appliance that cycles on and off (e.g., refrigerator or air conditioner). EPA recommends placing the fogger six feet or farther from all ignition sources. If you need assistance with extinguishing pilot lights, please contact your local gas utility or management company.
- Notify family members, neighbors, and anyone else that may enter the premises
In addition to telling everyone that they should not enter the area, be certain to use door tags if they are included with the product or print out your own warning signs if you cannot find tags with the product. This will help reduce the risk of other people walking into the home or room and accidentally exposing themselves to the pesticides released from the device.
- Vacate the treated house, individual apartment unit, or other structure immediately - Watch Video
Breathing spray mist may be harmful. Safe use of these products requires that everyone, including pets, leave the treated space and close the doors after foggers have been released. Stay out until the time indicated on the label has passed, usually two to four hours. Prematurely entering the treated premises may lead to illness.
Take Other Common-Sense Precautions
- Use no more than one fogger per room, since a typical 6 oz. fogger is enough to treat a very large area, up to 25 by 25 feet of unobstructed space.
- Remove all children, pets, toys, and uncovered food from treated area.
- Read the label and follow directions carefully.
- Keep the product away from children, for example, in a locked cabinet or shed.
- Teach children not to touch pesticide products and other household chemicals.
- Keep the telephone number of your local poison control center or the toll-free number (1-800-222-1222) for the National Poison Control Hotline handy.
For More Information
For additional information about pesticides and poisoning prevention, please contact the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC)at 800-858-7378.
FAQs
Turn off anything that might cause a spark: Pilot lights, gas fireplaces, unplug electrical appliances. Always place foggers a least six feet away from gas or electrical appliances. Don't use foggers in small, enclosed spaces, such closets and cabinets or under counters or tables. It may cause the product to explode.
What are the safety precautions for total release foggers? ›
Turn off anything that might cause a spark: Pilot lights, gas fireplaces, unplug electrical appliances. Always place foggers a least six feet away from gas or electrical appliances. Don't use foggers in small, enclosed spaces, such closets and cabinets or under counters or tables. It may cause the product to explode.
What precautions should you take when using a bug bomb? ›
Don't use in small, enclosed places such as closets, cabinets, or under counters or tables. Never use in a room smaller than 5 by 5 feet. Instead, allow fog to enter from other rooms. Using too many foggers won't control pests better than using only the amount recommended on the product label.
What do I need to cover when using a fogger? ›
Cover any furniture, objects or other surfaces to protect them from the harsh chemicals found in bug bombs. Use sheets, towels, tarps or other coverings that you may have on hand. Place all food and perishable items in a safe, concealed location.
How safe are foggers? ›
Improper Use Can Cause Injuries
Not only does overuse increase insecticide residue and exposure risk in the area, but the propellent used in foggers is flammable! Explosions can occur if pilot lights are not extinguished before use as instructed by the label. Foggers can also make people sick if they're exposed.
Do you have to clean after using a fogger? ›
The Importance of Post-Bombing Cleaning
It is essential to clean your mattress after using a bug bomb to remove any chemical residues and ensure a safe sleeping environment. Health Considerations: Chemical residues can be harmful if inhaled or come into contact with skin.
What are the occupational hazards in fogging? ›
The noise level of fogging machines exceeded more than 90dB(A) at a distance of 0.5 m [6]. This demonstrated that vector control workers are a vulnerable population at risk for NRHD due to high noise levels exposure from fogging machines during fogging activities.
Can I sleep in room after bug bomb? ›
Safe use of these products requires that everyone, including pets, leave the treated space and close the doors after foggers have been released. Stay out until the time indicated on the label has passed, usually two to four hours.
What happens if you breathe in bug bomb fumes? ›
The most common health problems that arise from foggers are respiratory issues. This includes coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and upper respiratory pain. In fact, most people who are exposed to bug bombs report some kind of respiratory issues.
Do I need to cover my electronics when I bug bomb? ›
Bug bombs also contain water, which when exposed electronic circuit board can lead to corrosion, making the electronic gadgets fail. When using bug bombs within a kitchen space, store all kitchen appliances inside the cabinets and seal the cabinets with some tape around the edges.
Bug bombs or total release foggers are specially made to treat homes, offices, and other structures that are enclosed to remove pests like bed bugs, roaches, fleas, ticks, or carpenter ants. Because it contains toxic chemicals, staying out of the house during the treatment is a must.
Do you have to wash your clothes after fogging? ›
What To Do With Clothes Exposed To A Flea Bomb. Aside from beddings, your clothes can also get the chemicals from the flea bomb. If you forgot to safely keep your clothes before a flea bomb, after the treatment, you have to clean it quickly to get rid of the chemicals.
When fogging do I cover clothes? ›
Before fogging, cover all clothes and sheets; they must not be exposed to the chemicals. If exposed and you wear these clothes, it would transfer to your skin and make you sick. If possible, clothing should be removed from your home.
Is fogging harmful to humans? ›
Many doctors and researchers note that the insecticide used in fogging is malathion and a synthetic pyrethroid — similar to insecticides that are used in most domestic insect spray cans — that is 'safe' for humans.
How to prepare for fogging your house? ›
Before using the fogger, food preparation surfaces should be covered, including counters and sinks. After use, windows should be opened to allow the house to air out, linens should be washed and carpets vacuumed.
Do exterminators use foggers? ›
Pest exterminators use foggers, among other things. If this is properly done, it is one of the most effective roach killers. This is one of the most effective roach killers there is as long as it is done properly. If you have roach infestation problems you may consider fogging.
How long do you have to stay out of the house after a bug fogger? ›
Safe use of these products requires that everyone, including pets, leave the treated space and close the doors after foggers have been released. Stay out until the time indicated on the label has passed, usually two to four hours. Prematurely entering the treated premises may lead to illness.
What are the hazards of thermal fogging? ›
Any formation of aerosols or fogs from flammable substances or acids releasing oxygen in a mixture with air and/or dust always involves the risk of fire or explosion if there is a source of ignition. The hot exhaust gas of the engine of thermal foggers is a potential source of ignition.
What to do before setting off foggers? ›
Keep foggers away from open flames, turn off pilot lights, and unplug electrical appliances before use. Remove toys and other items belonging to children and pets from the area you want to treat. Also, remove food, dishes, and plants before using a fogger.
