Do Bug Bombs Kill Mice?

The answer is written all over the name bug. Since bug bombs are meant for bugs, they are unlikely to kill mice. The designing of bug bombs is not meant to eliminate mice. So, you shouldn’t buy a bug bomb and expect it to kill mice.

For mice and other rodents, there are rodent smoke bombs. These special bombs usually deal with a current and an immediate infestation problem. However, they are not a perfect long-term solution for a rat or a mouse problem at your business or home.

Let’s make this discussion very specific: can mice get killed by a flea bomb? Well, the only things that the flea bombs will kill are the living fleas. However, they will not attend to the flea eggs in your home of the bugs on the mice. To deal with mice effectively, you need to use both poison and mouse traps. This article will look at bug bombs and how to set them off. Get ready for a bomb ride, if you know what I mean.

Bug Bombs 101: What Are They?

A bug bomb, which also goes by the name insect fogger, is a specialized product used to eradicate insects or insect infestations. For the most part, it is usually made for residential space. Most bug bombs in circulation use an aerosol propellant, which helps diffuse the insecticide into the atmosphere. Before you start using a bug bomb, you need to read and review all the instructions given. On top of that, you need to follow them to the letter. This is because, virtually speaking, whatever you are bombing in your house’s space is poisonous; it poses severe health risks if not used correctly and under the right conditions.

Many homeowners have reported that bug bombs are a dangerous and ineffective way of dealing with pests. The reports recommend against using any bug bombs or going for them only as a last resort. In addition to poisoning your air, the bug bomb poses a significant fire hazard since it is an aerosol, and many of them are flammable. While aerosols can and may be used safely, this case may go South since the aerosol is very active with no supervision. Another reason why bug bombs are discouraged is that the aerosols cover the surfaces of the house, making the place an unsafe dwelling area – unhealthy for both humans and pets.

Other intriguing reports have it that bug bombs even worsen infestations. If you set off a bug bomb in a residential building, it can cause many pests to retreat into deeper parts of the house. This means that the pests will enter into areas that are low-traffic and difficult for humans to access. In those new and hidden areas, the bugs will breed extensively. More often than not, the reports indicate that the most effective way of dealing with a pest infestation is either working with a pro exterminator or working on household practices that will reduce the risk of a pest invasion.

Using bug bombs for bugs – let alone mice – is probably an approach that is least targeted. However, on the surface, manufacturers of repellents have made them look, sound, and feel like the most effective methods of dealing with pest issues. When a bug bomb is blown up, and the insecticide settles on house surfaces, it probably will not reach the places where insects live, such as behind drawers, walls, and even carpets. If you decide to test a bug bomb on mice, ensure that the space of focus is well ventilated, especially after you have set off the spray. If your mission is successful, be sure to remove the residual insecticides from the surfaces of the bombed space.

Safety Issues With Bug Bombs

Apart from being called insect foggers, bug bombs are also known as total-release foggers. As mentioned in the previous section, bug bombs usually use an aerosol propellant to fill a confined space. Because of their popularity, people assume that bug bombs are easy and quick fixes for insect infestations, which is not the case.

If a bug bomb is misused, it can be downright dangerous. Every year, people trigger explosions and ignite fires by misusing the foggers. Apart from that, the products can also cause gastrointestinal ailments. In those health-related cases, the groups of people most likely to be most affected include the young and the elderly.

Why Using Bug Bombs Only Is Not An Adequate Solution

As already established, you cannot guarantee that bug bombs will do the job effectively. The only way that bug bombs work effectively is when they come into direct contact with the bugs. As we all know, household pests are experts in hiding inside cupboards, under baseboards, inside mattresses, and in drains. When you set off a fogger, you are likely to kill the bugs out in the open at that particular time. If the pests – even mice – are in protective surfaces, they will survive that specific bombing day.

If you want to deal with a pest infestation (insect or rodent), you will need to do a lot more than setting off an insect fogger. Since it takes a lot of know-how and expertise to effectively and safely rid yourself and your house of pests, you should consider hiring the services of a reputable pest control professional. Apart from using bug bombs, expert exterminators will also do the following:

What An Expert Exterminator Is Likely To Do
They will set bait traps. They will spray into the hard-to-reach and protected area.	They will use chemicals intended to eradicate a particular pest. The most effective pesticide is pyrethrin and is contained in most insect foggers. Also, they can reapply pesticides as required.

Using Bug Bombs Effectively And Safely

As established in the kicker, bug bombs are hazardous since they contain potentially harmful pesticides. To work your way around bug bombs, here are some instructions you need to follow:

1. Thoroughly Read And Go Through All Precautions And Directions

When it comes to bug bombs and pesticides, labeling is the law. The manufacturers and pesticide companies are required to provide you with all the information you need to know. Seeing that that is the case, you need to read and follow all the directions given correctly. Importantly, you need to understand the risk of the repellent that you are going to use by reading all the labels and understanding them carefully. The label sections may appear with the following instructions (or something close): poison, danger, caution, and warning. After you are fully aware of the risks, follow all the how-to instructions given. Also, get the information on how to calculate the needed pesticide.

Most bug bombs are meant to take care of a specific square feet number; when you use a large bug bomb or spray too much that is required, you are increasing the risk of health-related complications. Additionally, most of the bombs indicate how long one has to wait before going back to the area that has been sprayed. The average for most bug bombs is anything between two and four hours.

2. Only Use The Number (Or Amount) Of Bug Bombs Indicated

While many people believe in clouding a space with the bug bomb, that is not the best and safest solution. More is not better. Repellent-making companies usually put their products to the test to know the most effective and the safest number of bombs to blow per square foot of the affected space. When you use more than is required, you are increasing the chances of developing a health issue, and you may not even kill any bugs.

3. Cover All The Food And Every Baby Toy Before Bombing The Place

Once you activate the bomb, your place of stay and its contents will get covered by chemical residue. If some food was left uncovered, do not eat it. Since young children instinctually choose to put things in their mouths, better seal them inside trash bags. Alternatively, you can put them in drawers or toys. That way, they will not get exposed to any spray of pesticides. Also, you might want to cover chairs, sofas, and any other furniture that will be difficult to wipe out.

4. Ensure That You Notify Your Neighbors Of Your Bomb Plans

Apartment buildings and condos usually share one very-common system. Also, they can have crevices and cracks between units. If you live together with other people and in close quarters, tell your flatmates and neighbors when you will be using the pesticide. Politely asked them to ensure that all ignition sources are turned off like dryer pilots and stoves. When you do, some of your neighbors may choose to seal their adjacent ductwork.

5. Get Anything Likely To Spark Unplugged

As you will have picked out from the labeled instructions, the aerosols used in the bombs are quite flammable. If an ill-timed spark or a gas flame comes up, the propellant can easily get ignited. Confirm that all pilot lights are turned off. Although it might seem a little too extra, ensure that all the air conditioners and refrigerators are unplugged. To be very safe, make sure that the bug bomb is at a minimum of 5 – 6 feet from anything likely to be a potential spark source.

6. Once The Bug Bombs Are Activated, Immediately Leave The Premises

As obvious (and as silly) as this may sound, many of the reported incidents have been of people who were not able to vacate before the bug bomb’s discharge. As a matter of fact, a report by the CDC (from a bug bomb safety study) notes that 42% of all reported health issues were as a result of users not leaving the area of focus or coming back a little too early. Before you choose to activate the bug bomb, make certain that you have planned your escape in detail.

7. Keep All People And Pets Out Of The Bombed Areas (Depending On The Indication)

For most insect foggers, you may be required to leave the premises for a couple of hours from when the product is activated. Under any circumstances, you should not return to the place any second early. If you do, you are putting yourself at risk of a severe health issue, including gastrointestinal and respiratory ailment. So, wait until it is safe for you or any of your children or pet. As indicated in these tips headlines, follow the timeline that is shown on the product’s label.

8. Before Re-Entering The Bombed Area, Ensure That It Is Well Ventilated

The directions on the product’s label are likely to have something to say about ventilation. When the prescribed amount of time elapses, try and open many windows. Leave the windows open for around an hour before you allow yourself or anyone else to re-enter the house.

9. When You Make Your Return, Ensure That The Pesticide Is Of People’s And Pet’s Mouths

When you make your return into the bombed house, get all the open surfaces wiped down – especially those where food is usually prepared. If any pet dishes were left out and uncovered, wash them thoroughly. Be sure to mop the floor if you have toddlers or infants who like spending a lot of time there. If any toothbrushes were left out, replace them.

10. The Remaining Or Unused Product Should Be Stored Safely

Among all groups of people, the ones that are susceptible to airborne chemical effects are children. So, you should not risk an unintended discharge of the product by a curious babe. Like all the other hazardous chemicals, you should store insect foggers in a cabinet that is out of the reach of children.

When You Get Exposed To The Pesticide

Many people know that they should vacate the premises once they have set off a bug bomb. On their part, the CDC notes the following reasons why someone may still get exposed to the toxically foggy emissions:

1. Not leaving the place when the bombing was done

2. Coming back to the bombed room too soon to do things like retrieving pets or turning off alarms

3. Not ventilating the premises after the setting off of the bug bomb

4. Spraying the bomb accidentally at close range or in the face

5. Setting off the bombs without giving prior information or wanting to apartment dwellers

When you get exposed to the pesticide emitted from a bug bomb, you may experience the following symptoms:

1. Nausea

2. Shortness of breath

3. Dizziness

4. Leg cramps

5. Burning eyes

6. Coughing

7. Wheezing

The symptoms may either be severe or mild and of course, they are more dangerous if manifested in children who may have developed an allergic reaction to the pesticide. If you experience any of the mentioned symptoms, get emergency care to avoid any further complications.