What is a good alternative to bug bombs?

Author: Mr. Jaylen Metz V  |  Last update: Monday, November 10, 2025

While not a bug spray, diatomaceous earth could be your new best friend! Hard-to-kill bugs such as ants, roaches, and scorpions all fall prey to diatomaceous earth. It's made up of finely ground plankton fossils and looks like a white powder.

How do you get rid of roaches without bombing?

Diatomaceous earth. Make a little moat of it around some bread. The DE automatically sticks to them when they cross the moat, gets transferred to all the roaches they come into contact with, and dehydrates them to death. It's over 99% effective and is nontoxic.

What is the alternative to raid bug spray?

Raid's main competitors in the insecticide market are Black Flag, Hot Shot, Mortein and Baygon (also sister brand).

What to do after you fog your house?

It's recommended to fog the rooms, leave the house, and keep it closed for the specified time on the product label. After that, you should ventilate the rooms by opening the windows and doors for a few hours before returning.

Why not to use bug bombs?

Yes, you can get sick from using a fogger and breathing in chemicals and pesticides. This can result in nose and throat irritation, trouble breathing, coughing, headaches, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, and allergy symptoms. If chemicals and pesticides come in contact with your eyes, it can cause serious eye damage.

How to get rid of Cockroaches – Mortein Kill & Protect Crawling Insect Control Bomb

Do I have to wash everything after a bug bomb?

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.

Why do I see more roaches after bombing?

It's Your First Treatment

One treatment doesn't take care of everything. When bugs are first treated, they are flushed from their hiding places or shelter. It's completely normal to see ants, spiders, and cockroaches come out in abundance after your first treatment.

Do foggers mess up electronics?

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.

Do I need to wash my clothes after fumigation?

Most authorities say that the gases used for fumigation are only dangerous to humans if they come into direct contact with the skin. Clothes do not absorb these gases and so there is no need to wash them after a house has been fumigated. Toxic gases will not be transferred from your clothes to your skin.

How long to air out a house after fogging?

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 to use instead of bug bomb?

Diatomaceous Earth

Hard-to-kill bugs such as ants, roaches, and scorpions all fall prey to diatomaceous earth. It's made up of finely ground plankton fossils and looks like a white powder. The powder is perfectly safe for mammals to eat, so you don't need to worry if you have house pets.

What is the best bug deterrent?

Best Picaridin Bug Repellents
  • Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent. ...
  • Proven Insect Repellent Lotion. ...
  • Off Deep Woods Dry Insect Repellent. ...
  • Sawyer 20 Percent DEET Premium Family Insect Repellent Controlled Release. ...
  • Ben's Tick and Insect Repellent Wipes. ...
  • Coleman Insect Repellent Spray (uses IR3535)

What do professionals use for bug spray?

Phenothrin and Pyrethrins – These ingredients target the nervous systems of insects, leading to paralysis and death. Pyrethrins are particularly effective against bed bugs due to their knockdown effect.

What smell do roaches hate?

Some strong scents, such as lavender and mint, have been known to repel cockroaches.

Is it better to bomb or spray for roaches?

Fogging systems are great at killing roaches on contact, but indoor foggers can actually push the majority of them further into their safer hiding places. Using foggers or roach bombs creates a long-term problem for you and your loved ones that will not go away.

How do you scare roaches out of hiding?

Roaches have evolved to survive when fewer of their natural predators can see them, so they come out of hiding in the dark when their predators are less likely to squash or eat them. But it's not just turning on the light that will spook a roach. Vibrations, noise, and air currents can also scare them back into hiding.

Is it safe to sleep in a room after fumigation?

The standard practice is to wait two to four hours post-treatment before re-entering your home. This precaution minimizes health risks from chemical exposure. Ventilating your property for about 30 minutes after re-entering is also advisable.

Do I need to wash my sheets after a bug bomb?

Mortein bombs do leave a very fine residue on surface areas, but unless you set one off at the foot of your bed it shouldn't be necessary to wash your bedding. That said, if you feel concerned or uncomfortable about the idea of sleeping in the bed after the room has been bombed, wash your bedding.

Do you leave windows open during fumigation?

The law mandates that windows be open at least 3 inches during fumigation. However, certain windows that cannot be accessed and opened without moving furniture, removing nails, or cutting a paint seal can remain closed.

Can you bomb a refrigerator for roaches?

Do not use any kind of chemical pesticide or roach foggers inside the refrigerator as it could poison your food and prove to be fatal. Throw out all the food from the fridge once an infestation has been spotted inside.

What to cover when fogging a house?

Since a bug bomb will not only be used in one place, your belongings inside bedrooms and living rooms should be covered as well. From toys down to toiletries, everything should be covered to keep it safe from chemical contamination. You can use a tarp, plastics, throwaway sheets, and newspapers as covers.

What happens if you use too many foggers?

Fogger ingredients are highly flammable. Fires and explosions can happen, typically when too many foggers are used.

How do I get rid of roaches permanently?

Get Them Out!
  1. Remove clutter.
  2. Vacuum well and often. ...
  3. Wash hard washable surfaces with cleanser (ammonia and water works well).
  4. Dust out of sight spaces with boric acid powder. ...
  5. Use roach baits near hiding places like behind pictures and wall hangings, under sinks and undersides of furniture.

Should I panic if I see a roach?

If you think you have cockroaches, do not panic. Finding roaches is not a sign that your house is dirty. Even if you clean regularly and maintain a tidy home, cockroaches can usually find food and water without much trouble. This allows them to thrive in many environments.

What does Terminix use for roaches?

At Terminix, our approach to cockroach control is both comprehensive and customized. Our expert technicians will implement customized solutions tailored specifically for you, which may include a combination of granular baits, liquid residuals, and residual dust treatments.

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