Use of total release foggers, more popularly known as bug bombs, may not be the best way to eliminate cockroaches at home.

Bug Bombs Not Effective At Killing Cockroaches

In a new study published in BMC Public Health, researchers from North Carolina State University found that bug bombs are ineffective at removing roaches from indoor environments.

They said the chemicals intended to kill cockroaches do not reach the places where these household pests are most often found such as inside cabinets and the underside of surfaces.

Worse, bug bombs leave behind toxic residue in countertops and the middle of floors, areas cockroaches tend to avoid, but are heavily used by humans and their pets.

Study researcher Zachary DeVries and colleagues tested four different commercial bug bombs with various insecticide active ingredients in 20 homes with varying severity of German cockroach infestation.

Weeks after the treatment, the researchers monitored the populations of the cockroaches and found no declines in the estimated pre-intervention number.

"The bug-bomb products did absolutely nothing to control cockroach populations in these homes," DeVries said.

Gel Baits Versus Bug Bombs

The researchers also treated another 10 homes with gel baits, which are applied in small dabs via syringe so they can be placed directly in areas where cockroaches hide.

Weeks after the treatment, the researchers found the gel baits to be more effective than bug bombs in eliminating cockroach infestation.

Insecticide Exposure In Homes That Use Bug Bombs

Researchers also investigated insecticide exposure risks in homes that deployed bug bombs. One month after treatment, the researchers found that 34 percent of the floors and kitchen surfaces still had higher insecticide residue levels than the baseline.

"Bug bombs are not killing cockroaches; they're putting pesticides in places where the cockroaches aren't; they're not putting pesticides in places where cockroaches are and they're increasing pesticide levels in the home," DeVries said.