Here, we’re more concerned about the safety of bug bombs around pets. Is it safe to use around pets?

If not, what actions should best be taken?

Bug Bombs And Pet Safety

Total release foggers also known as bug bombs do a lot to solve pest issues. These pesticides are applied to a wide range of pest problems ranging from roaches, flies, spiders, ants, and so many others.

While fogging pest control is designed to give results, the issue of safety arises.

Before you put this product to use, you’d want to know how safe it is for humans as well as pets. This enables you to take necessary precautionary measures.

Safety Comes First

The aim of eliminating household bugs is simply to eliminate the health risks they pose to humans in addition to preventing damage caused. However, you also want to keep your household and pets safe.

So, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with trying to find out whether bug bombs are safe for use

How Bug Bombs Work

With pyrethrin being the main active ingredient used in bug bombs, these products are dispersed into the air in a fine spray or aerosolized. What happens is that bug bombs shoot up their contents, hence the term “bomb.”

This fine aerosolized insecticide then spreads and settles down on surfaces.

For bug bombs to be effectively applied, the targeted area needs to be cleared. This includes your family and pets as well as anything that can be used as food or for food preparation.

It’s clear here that this pesticide contains toxic compounds (pyrethrin and other chemicals) that could prove harmful.

Are My Pets Safe?

With bug bombs, your pet can only be safe when it’s properly used. Proper usage of bug bombs largely depends on getting everyone including pets out of the treatment area.

It’s only after clearing the area that the product should be used.

Even at that, there’s no certainty or guarantee that this total release fogger won’t be toxic to your pets. If you must use this chemical-based product, you should carefully follow its use instructions.

Such instructions are mostly found on the product label.

Precautions For Using Bug Bombs

Safe usage of bug bombs isn’t restricted to pets alone but also to humans. Improper usage will lead to poisoning and possibly the death of your furry companions.

Compared to adults, kids are most affected by improper use of bug bombs.

You’ll need to adopt multiple safety procedures to shield your family and pets from its adverse effects. Such actions include keeping it out from ignition sources, not using more than necessary, and also taking out pets and household members before it’s applied.

Consider vacating the house immediately after it’s used and only return when sufficient time has passed. Lastly, it’s important to properly air out the treated area as a necessary step towards ensuring no one including pets inhale toxic fumes.

  • Keeping it Away From Ignition Sources

With bug bombs use around ignition sources, there a strong possibility for an outbreak of fire. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets a safety distance of about 6 feet or more.

It doesn’t matter what type of ignition source it is. You only need to keep as much distance as possible.

So, how does this apply to pet safety? A fire outbreak won’t only cause property damage but also human life and those of pets. You want none of such happening.

If there isn’t sufficient space between the ignition source and where you intend to use this total release fogger, simply avoid it.

  • Not Using More than Necessary

Bug bombs come in different volumes or sizes. The most appropriate size will be one that adequately covers a particular space. Here, just the right amount is needed and no more.

So, how much is enough? You’ll need to follow the use instructions for that.

When you don’t stick to the rules, you may end up creating higher fume levels of this pesticide. This is likely to reach your kids as well as pets.

Also, whether you use more than necessary or not, no one including pets should be left behind. Humans and pets must leave until it’s safe to return.

  • Notify Everyone Before Application

Toxicity is one common feature of bug bombs. Here, no one is left out including adults, kids, and pets. This is why everyone needs to be in the know of happenings.

By telling everyone, the issue of toxicity is greatly reduced as everyone takes precautionary measures including the removal of pets from the area.

  • Vacate the House

It’s not enough to keep pets and kids out of a treated room. You also need to vacate the whole house for safety reasons. When bug bombs are used, pesticide fumes may leak out even when doors are closed.

Vents are also points through which such toxic fumes could reach other rooms.

Here, your best bet will be to vacate the building entirely with your pets. You’ll need to allow for sufficient time (as indicated on the product) to pass before returning.

  • Air Out Treated Area

When you return, open up windows and doors to allow for optimal ventilation. You may also want to turn on the fan to expedite the ventilation process.

Allow for a few minutes (10 minutes) to pass before taking in your pet.

Also, all pesticide products such as total release foggers need to be kept out of the reach of pets and kids. This further enhances safety.

You may also want to mop your floors to eliminate all residual impacts of this insecticide product.

Consider Using Alternatives

We’ve seen that bug bombs used around pets aren’t safe at all. Several precautionary steps have been mentioned as ways to keep or safeguard your cute animal companions from harm.

However, you won’t need to expose your pets to potential risks by using toxic pesticides like bug bombs.

Instead, there are lots of natural and reliable ways to handle your pest issues. Such products have no adverse or toxic effect whatsoever on both pets and humans.

Plus, you get to achieve your objective which is to kill bugs.

With the answers provided so far, you get to decide whether bug bombs use is worth the try. Your pets are adversely affected when not properly used.

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