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.
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.
How Do They Work?
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?
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 kill termites while the studs are exposed?
A: Thank you for your question. No, our fogger will not be effective in killing termites.
Efficient Alternatives for Termite Bombs
If termite foggers do not work, what actually does? Here are the DIY options that are worth your time and money.
Spot Treatment Foams and Sprays
This is the most direct replacement for what people hope a fogger will do. Unlike bombs, a good termite foam gets injected directly into the void or gallery where termites actually live. It expands, coats the surfaces, and reaches the colony.
The three strongest options available on Amazon right now are compared in detail in our guide: Best Termite Spray for Spot Treatment.
If you want the short answer: Termidor Foam is the most effective DIY option for hidden termites in wall voids. Spectracide Terminate Foam is a simpler and more affordable choice for accessible cracks and mud tubes.
Borate Wood Treatment
Borax-based products work best when you have access to exposed, unfinished wood. Unlike foggers, they actually penetrate the wood and protect it long-term. They are especially useful during repairs or remodeling when framing is open.
The best options are compared in our guide: Best Borate Wood Treatment for Termites.
Termite Bait Stations
Bait stations are placed around the perimeter of your home and work over time to eliminate the colony at the source. They are a slower method but one of the most effective long-term solutions for subterranean termites.
Beneficial Nematodes
Nematodes are small roundworms that feed on termites. This method is 100% natural and safe for pets and humans. They work best in soil around the foundation.
Professional Exterminator
If the infestation is widespread or keeps coming back after DIY treatment, a professional inspection is the right move. Professionals have access to stronger treatments and can assess the full scope of the problem.
What to Use Instead: Quick Comparison
Not sure which DIY option fits your situation? Here is a simple breakdown:
- Termites inside a wall void or hidden gallery → Termidor Foam — inject directly into the void
- Visible mud tubes or accessible cracks → Spectracide Terminate Foam — easy DIY, no drilling needed
- Exposed wood during repairs or remodeling → Bora-Care — penetrates wood and protects long-term
- Widespread or recurring infestation → professional inspection is the safer choice
For a full comparison of spot treatment products, see our guide: Best Termite Spray for Spot Treatment.
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 said 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. Instead, use a proven DIY option that actually reaches the termites — a targeted foam like Termidor for hidden infestations, or borate wood treatment for exposed wood. If the infestation is widespread, a professional inspection is the right next step.
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Thank you for your comment 🙂 I’m glad that my content is useful for you.
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for do it yourself
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.
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.
I didn’t know that termite bombs are so dangerous!
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!
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
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.
“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.
I really appreciated this blog post! I always thought termite foggers were the go-to solution, but your explanation made it clear why they aren’t effective. Thanks for highlighting the alternatives that actually work—definitely going to look into those!