‘Bug bombs’ not effective in killing cockroaches indoors

Washington: A new study from North Carolina State University finds that ‘bug bombs’ are ineffective at removing cockroaches from indoor environments.
The study found that bug- bomb chemicals fail to reach places where there are a high number of cockroaches present — like the underside of surfaces and inside cabinets.
Besides leaving behind numerous cockroaches , bug bombs also leave behind nasty toxic residue in the middle of floors and countertops, which are heavily used by humans and pets.
Speaking about the study, Zachary DeVries, the lead author said, “There’s been a general assumption that bug bombs work to eliminate cockroaches indoors, but no one had conducted a formal assessment of their efficacy and any exposure risks.” The study saw the researchers testing four different commercially available bug bombs with various insecticide active ingredients in five different apartment complexes with moderate to severe infestations of German cockroaches.
Senior author of the paper Coby Schal said, “All the fogger products contained pyrethroids, a class of fast-acting insecticides, and some contained piperonyl butoxide, a chemical that prevents roaches from metabolizing, or breaking down, the insecticide .”