Why fogging fails

Today I had an account that tried the often futile fogging approach to german roach control. A total of six ‘bombs’ were used in this small 2 bedroom apartment but you’d never know it by the hundreds of happy insects running around.

In normal circumstances I rarely fog but the place was empty and german roaches were everywhere and I couldn’t spray the ceiling and walls without making a mess and going against the product label. Most pest control companies have fog machines which are far superior to any 6 ounce can you can buy and the difference in results spoke for themselves almost immediately.

The problem with canned foggers

Fogger cans that you buy from big box stores have all the right ingredients but the propellant in the cans just shoot the insecticide up in the air and does not direct the spray. Roaches are very sensitive to chemicals and sensing danger they simply tuck away in a crack or crevice long before they get a lethal dose. Once the danger has past they reemerge and go about their business.

Professional foggers

Electric powered fog machines can billow out enough material to fill a room in a short time and by simply pointing the mist towards a closet or cabinet it is quickly filled with the fog and contacts many more bugs. Some machines allow for the tech to use a wand and trigger application that can treat small cracks and voids such as refrigerator motors. Just the simple difference of controlling the direction makes a huge improvement in fogging.

Don’t rely on fogging alone

Whether fogging for roaches or fleas you should always apply a direct treatment first using liquids, dusts and aerosol materials. I wouldn’t bait at all if you’re going to fog. The fresh bait will just be contaminated by the mist and not be eaten by the insects. Fogging has its place but even if you have these machines most fog material have no residual by design since it will come in contact with so many surfaces. You’ll need a barrier that lasts after the fog dissipates and that’ll come from your manual treatment. In a week or so a good strategy would be to bait with gels or small bait stations.

While many times a fogging will produce seemingly dramatic results because many roaches that couldn’t hide quick enough do die. Don’t be fooled. It is only a short time later that they resume normal activity and their ability to reproduce will get the population climbing again in short order.