Termite Foggers (or Bombs): Why You Shouldn’t Use Them

What Are Foggers?

Termite fogger or “bug bomb” is one of the methods when it comes to killing termites and other bugs. Foggers are typically quite cheap and can be bought in almost any hardware store or supermarket.

I’ve made a research on Amazon, Home Depot and other big online shops, and didn’t find a single product named “termite fogger”. All I’ve found was foggers and bombs for cockroaches, fleas and other bugs which tend to live only on the surface.

termite bomb

But do they actually work? That’s the main question.

Although they are one of the most common, termite bombs are definitely not the most efficient.

Warning: I do not recommend you to use this method, because it can cause severe damage to you and your pets.

How Do They Work?

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A typical termite fogger comes in a pressurized aerosol can that contains termiticide. The termiticide that most companies use is actually just liquid insecticide that can kill all types of bugs. Upon activation, the can will spray the termiticide all around the room. The termiticide then settles on the floor and poisons the bugs.

Before actually activating the bomb, the users should make sure that all of their cabinets and closets are open and the doors and windows are closed. Also, they should leave the premises and wait a couple of hours for the room to air out.

A termite fogger can be effective on the surface for up to two months.

As you can tell, termite bombs are pretty easy to use — but do they work at all?

Do Foggers & Bombs Kill Termites?

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The answer is pretty straightforward — yes, termite foggers and bombs with termiticide do kill termites on the surface.

However, they can’t completely take care of termite infestation. Even if you do everything properly, there’s no guarantee that the termiticide will get to every bug. Termites usually form nests underneath the drywood floor, deep inside the main structure. Termiticide will kill all the bugs on the surface, but will most likely not reach the nest.

Another flaw is that these bombs kill more than just termites. They also kill every type of insect or animal that they come across, including your pets. They are extremely harmful to humans as well.

Even fogger manufactures give a clear answer to this question.

Here is one of them from Amazon:

Q:Will this killtermiteswhile the studs are exposed?
A:Thank you for your question. No, our fogger will not be effective in killingtermites.

Efficient Alternatives for Termite Bombs

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Borax (Boric Acid)

Borax is not as strong and poisonous as the termiticide bomb, but it has proven to be effective. Although it does take a while to kill the termites and other bugs (around 3 to 7 days), it’s quite effective.

Just like the termite foggers, borax can be found in almost any supermarket. It comes in liquid and powder form.

Beneficial Nematodes

Nematodes are small roundworms that feed on termites and similar insects. This extermination method is very effective. The best part is — it’s 100% natural, and thus safe for pets and humans.

Diatomaceous Earth

This termite extermination method is also 100% organic and non-toxic. Diatomaceous earth consists of dried-out remains of diatoms, small aquatic creatures. They are very sharp on a molecular level, so they basically cut termites in half.

Professional Exterminator

Professional pest control service is 100% method to go. Professionals will do all the necessary things to eliminate termites completely. Also, you will get a guarantee that termites won’t come back to your property.

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Bug Bombs vs. Professional Termite Treatments

We already know that termite foggers and bombs aren’t that efficient in the long term. But how do they compare to the stuff that professionals use?

Professionals use stronger chemicals, and their methods are more thorough. While foggers require only minimal effort, professional treatments are much more advanced.

Professional methods are various. The most common ones are the soil or wood treatments and the bait systems. All of them require a lot of preparation — for example, setting termite traps all over the house, digging around its foundation, etc.

FAQ

Do Termite Bombs Work?

No! Termite bombs don’t work. They only kill termites that are on the surface area, but they don’t reach their nests. That’s why you won’t be able to get rid of termite infestation with this method.

Are Termite Bombs Harmful?

The answer is both yes and no.

Termite bombs can be harmless if you follow all the instructions properly. Keep your pets away and ventilate the room properly.

If you don’t do so, these bombs can be very harmful, maybe even lethal for both you and your pet. Another important thing to remember is that a termite bomb can be an explosive hazard, so make sure you don’t expose the can to heat.

Can I Use a Fogger for My Attic?

Don’t do it. A termite fogger can kill some bugs in your attic, as well as for any part of your home but as I sai earlier, don’t expect it to be very effective, being that termiticide can’t penetrate wooden floors or any kind of nests.

Can I Use a Fogger Inside My Home?

Don’t do it. There are plenty of effective and proven methods to get rid of termites inside your home and using termite fogger is surely not one of them.

I strongly don’t recommend you to use foggers to treat termite infestation.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a long-term solution, termite foggers and bombs are not the way to go. I do not recommend this method of treatment. It’s best to call the professionals. That way, you’ll be sure that you’ve got rid of all the termites once and for all.

Comments 10

  1. Audrie Dutel says:

    Thank you so much for giving everyone an extremely nice chance to read in detail from here. It is usually very brilliant plus packed with a great time for me and my office colleagues to search your website nearly 3 times a week to read the latest guides you have. And indeed, I’m just actually pleased with the incredible guidelines served by you. Certain 3 facts in this post are indeed the most efficient we’ve had.

    • Vil Malinoshevskij says:

      Thank you for your comment 🙂 I’m glad that my content is useful for you.

  2. Barrett says:

    WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for do it yourself

  3. Ami says:

    This article is useless for the DIY people out there. There is just limited information abut the overage products and most of all this article assumes that everyone is so stupid that if you try it you will for sure get hurt. Every where in this article you will see the typical “Don’t do it” caution, hire a professional instead. Vil, you must the most scared person or the best sales person that has written an article before. DIY pest control, yea right.

    • Vil Malinoshevskij says:

      Ami, thanks for your comment! None of the authors think that their readers are stupid 🙂 We just want them to be cautious when using dangerous chemicals.

  4. Anonymous says:

    I didn’t know that termite bombs are so dangerous!

  5. Anonymous says:

    Greetings! This is my first visit to your blog!
    We are a group of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche.
    Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You have
    done a wonderful job!

  6. Bill deal says:

    When my waterbed developed a leak and I went to replace the mattress I noticed I had termites in the wood. To get rid of them I took the old mattress outside cut it into a big sheet of vinyl covered by water bed like a tent and set off 2 roach bombs under it. Two days later I set off one more and three days later I set off One more. When I moved five years later and dismantled the water bad There were no signs of termites eating my word away anymore. So in my opinion bombs work fine

  7. Jaymo says:

    These are a good idea in the roof when termites fly, often roof infestations are from colonies of termites that are birthed by the queen specifically to fly and start a new colony, if you have flying termites, it would be beneficial to fog your roof the next day before they start to infest the wood and are harder to destroy and will cause damage, making sure your roof is sealed is a good idea.

  8. Robin says:

    “It’s best to call the professionals. That way, you’ll be sure that you’ve got rid of all the termites once and for all.”

    There is no way to get rid of termites once and for all.
    Those chemicals were banned years ago.

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