Do Bed Bug Bombs Work?
Bed bug bombs may seem like a good idea at the time but they just don’t work for so many reasons. Yet many of us are unaware that these bed bug bombs are actually largely ineffective at fighting and preventing infestations.
What are Bed Bug Bombs?
Bed bug bombs are pesticide-containing products which release their contents via aerosol propellants. It’s thought that these bed bug bombs work by eradicating bugs and causing them to leave their hiding places.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, these bombs are highly flammable and improper use can cause an explosion. The can also cause illness, which may result from failing to leave during the release of the bomb or re-entering the bomb site too quickly.
How Effective are Bed Bug Bombs?
Scientific evidence has suggested that bed bug bombs aren’t effective at eradicating bed bugs.
Research published in the Journal of Economic Entomology in 2012 provided an insight into how ineffective these bed bug bombs actually are.
The US researchers evaluated three bed bug bomb brands (also known as “foggers” in the US) and then conducted experiments on five different bedbug populations. Following application, the researchers say they found little, if any, adverse effects on the bed bugs.
One of the key reasons for this could be due to the fact that bed bugs often hide in hard-to-reach places such as in deep cracks and crevices, as well as under sheets and mattresses. The researchers said it is very unlikely that bed bugs would be exposed to the insecticide mist from foggers.
Another reason bed bug bombs are largely ineffective is due to the increasing problem of bed bug resistance.
“Even if they do come into contact with the mist, many bed bug populations have varying degrees of resistance to the insecticides, so they will most likely survive the application,” said study author Susan C Jones.
“If you use these products, you will not get the infestation under control, you will waste your money, and you will delay effective treatment of your infestation. Bed bugs are among the most difficult and expensive urban pests to control. It typically takes a professional to do it right. Also, the ineffective use of these products can lead to further resistance in insects,” Jones added.
What Are Some Alternatives to Bed Bug Bombs?
Our Bed Bug Killer is a natural alternative to household pesticides and is very effective at killing bed bugs and removing infestations. The powder used in our products is Diatomaceous Earth (DE) and it dehydrates the bugs by absorbing the oils and fats from the cuticle of the exoskeleton.
Find out more about bed Bug Killer and how it can help you to fight and prevent a bed bug infestation.
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