I wanted to address this device and how people attempt to use this in pest control.

This information appeared in PMP magazine’s Buzz Online. Also this information was made available from Dr. Mike Merchant’s blog http://insectsinthecity.blogspot.com/ Dr.Merchant is the entomology specialist for Texas AgriLife Extension since 1989. Alex Barbarin is a graduate student at Penn State University studying bed bugs and their effects on low income households. Speaking of his insect study subjects, he noted that,

“If you set off a bomb in your room, [the bedbugs will] just move to your neighbors’ rooms. It’s like date night for them.”

“While consumer aerosol generators may flush some insects from shallow hiding places into the open, they are in no way magical in their killing action. Aerosols are most effective at killing flying, or crawling insects on exposed surfaces. Insects inside walls, furniture or even deep in carpet pile are not well controlled with these devices. The chemicals in aerosol generators are generally short-lived, remain airborne for a limited time and must be carried on air currents if they are to reach into corners and hidden areas in a room. It is unlikely that typical bug bomb products flush and kill many pests who are well protected in furniture, mattresses, behind baseboards and even picture frames, per Alex’s bed bug observation. Because of the repellent nature of some of the active ingredients in aerosol generators, if anything insects are likely to be driven deeper into their hiding places or into adjacent rooms, businesses or apartments.”

I definitely agree with this last remark, we are often called in after a homeowners attempt to do  pest control on their own. I find that german cockroaches will also hide and be driven deeper and it just makes getting them a little more difficult. We do use these aerosols from time to time but as a space spray ie: attics for bees, flies or even roaches but after we get them running from their hiding spaces. A word of caution – bedbugs are very difficult to control along with Africanized Honeybees – I strongly recommend the use of a Pest Professional -call ProBest 480-831-9328

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