This job can be dangerous. Consult or hire a pro to be safe.
Time to complete
4 hours
You'll have to leave your home regardless, so you might as well have a professional come in to do the work.
Cost
$25–$50
A pro can do this job safely for $200.
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
Tarps
Sheets
Towels
Eye protection
Mask
Disposable gloves
SUPPLIES
Fogger canisters
There’s no doubt about it—roaches are a no-go when it comes to your home. If you spotted some in your home, you’re likely wondering how to bomb your house for roaches.
Some homeowners turn to store-bought bug bombers to rid their homes of roaches. Also known as foggers, these DIY fumigation devices are somewhat controversial. While the process of using them is fairly simple, you need to take care to avoid some of the serious hazards of bug bombing your own house. This guide will walk you through how to bomb your house for roaches safely and effectively.
Angi Tip
Using a bug bomb inside your home carries significant risks, and you should handle it with extreme caution. These products can pose serious health hazards to humans and pets if not used according to the manufacturer's strict guidelines, potentially leading to respiratory issues and chemical exposure.
You can't just bomb for roaches on the fly. Make a plan several days in advance to cover the following bases.
Tell Your Neighbors
When bombing your house for roaches, follow proper etiquette rules by letting your neighbors know ahead of time. This ensures they won't come knocking while your home is undergoing fogging.
If you're planning to bug bomb in a condo, row house, or similar structure, contact your building manager or neighborhood association to learn about any protocols you need to follow.
Find a Place to Stay
Most bug bombers require you to stay out of your home for several hours. This can be a good time to plan a day trip or overnight trip. Consult the packaging of the product you're using to discover how long you need to stay away from home.
Bug Fogger Safety
Bug bombers that you can purchase at hardware and big-box stores are pesticide products that contain aerosol propellants intended to fumigate an area.
The aerosol propellants in bug bombers make them flammable.
Improper use can cause fire or explosion.
User error can result in severe illness.
While only you can decide if fogging your house for roaches is the right choice, it's always worth consulting with an exterminator to find ways to avoid the risks associated with this choice.
How Do Cockroach Foggers Work?
Roach foggers, also known as bug bombs, work by releasing a pesticide into the air, killing off any pests exposed to it. The process involves placing the fogger on a central table or chair, and then activating it by pressing a button or removing a tab on the can.
It’s essential to follow all label instructions to reduce exposure to people and pets. Be sure to read the guidelines ahead of time and make a plan for the detonation.
Purchase Your Insect Fogger(s)
When setting off to shop for your fogger or bomber, read labels carefully. The label of each canister should tell you how much square footage it covers. You should go to the store with a rough idea of the size of your home to be able to calculate how many canisters you'll need.
To calculate the volume of your home's living area, measure the height, width, and length of every room before combining the numbers. A 10 x 10 room with 8-foot ceilings is 800 cubic feet in volume.
Cover Surfaces in Your Home
Use tarps to cover any furniture, objects, or other surfaces to protect them from the harsh chemicals found in bug bombs. While tarps are best, sheets, towels, and other wide coverings can all work. This is also a time to secure any perishable foods in a tightly concealed space. You cannot eat food that has been left out during bug bombing.
Unplug Appliances and Electronics
Insect fogging products contain harsh chemicals that are highly flammable. You won't be around to hear the fire alarm or smell smoke if something goes awry during the fogging process. Unplug everything in your home prior to deploying the bomber. You also need to shut off pilot lights, gas valves, and all other ignition spots in your home.
Create a Fogger Strategy
Photo: Steven White / iStock / Getty Images
Make a strategy for how to bomb your house for roaches ahead of time. Sketch out your home's layout to start. Next, mark where you'll place foggers. It's also important to factor in your exit strategy when you're placing foggers. To avoid being stuck backtracking in a home after foggers have been activated, it's best to start in the farthest corners of the home before working your way toward your preferred exit.
Foggers should never be placed in closets, cabinets, or other enclosed spaces because this can cause them to explode.
Here’s a pro tip: don’t go overboard. It's always better to veer on the side of going "too small" with bug bombers instead of overdoing it. Always follow the instructions on the label to determine the ideal number of foggers for your space. This is all that's necessary to target pests correctly.
Using too many foggers will only create additional risks without producing additional benefits.
Leave Immediately
Don't linger once you've started the fogging process. Once foggers have been activated, you are inhaling toxic fumes every minute that you remain in the home. It goes without saying that pets should never be left behind when defogging your home. Wear gloves, eye protection, and a mask even though you'll be exiting the home immediately.
Return After a Safe Amount of Time
Once a minimum of a few hours have passed, you may reenter your home to clean up. Ideally, you’ll have stayed away from your home for an overnight.
Generally, you should only reenter the home briefly to open windows for ventilation before waiting at least another hour before going back inside. Open windows and doors immediately after reentering your home to let out any dangerous fumes that could still be lingering.
Consider keeping family members and pets away for a few extra days after the home is safe to enter again. This will provide you with a chance to fully ventilate the home.
Properly Dispose of Coverings and Foggers
Follow the instructions provided on the label of your fogger canisters regarding proper disposal. Any coverings that were placed over items in your home during bug bombing should be removed and washed promptly. Additionally, you'll need to clean surfaces that were left exposed during bug bombing.
DIY vs. Hiring an Exterminator
While paying just $50 to bug bomb your home is enticing for homeowners looking to squash a roach problem quickly, the cost of doing this project incorrectly is high. With the average cockroach exterminator costs running between $100 and $600, it's worth contacting local bug exterminators for quotes on alternative treatments that may be safer and more effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most DIY roach fogger products are made of pyrethroid pesticides that come with their own unique risks and benefits. They also contain aerosol propellants that disperse the pesticides by creating a fog that fills the entire room. Read all labels carefully before purchasing a fogger product to ensure that you understand how to properly handle the ingredients that you are introducing into your home.
You can’t stay in your house while fumigating, even if it’s only one room. When using a bug bomb or fogger in any area of your home, the entire home must be fully prepped and everyone must leave regardless of how many rooms are being fumigated. If you'll be booking a stay overnight to give your home time to air out, factor the hotel room into your total fumigation cost.
When looking for natural roach repellent options, citrus, bay leaves, cucumber, garlic, and catnip may all help to keep cockroaches away. When an infestation requires a bigger intervention, boric acid, baking soda, diatomaceous earth (DE), and soap mixed with water are all considered natural and nontoxic roach treatments.
Scott Dylan Westerlund has been writing about homes and real estate for almost ten years. In addition to Angi and HomeAdvisor, he's written for Today's Homeowner, Homedit.com, Flyhomes, and HomeLight.
Scott Dylan Westerlund has been writing about homes and real estate for almost ten years. In addition to Angi and HomeAdvisor, he's written for Today's Homeowner, Homedit.com, Flyhomes, and HomeLight.
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