Fleas are not just a problem for your dogs or cats. Most flea infestations start with a pet, but soon the fleas can spread all over your home, becoming an unsanitary nuisance. Fleas are insects in the order Siphonaptera, and like that name suggests, they are irritating little bloodsuckers.
There are several reasons fleas are quite difficult to eliminate. First, they are very small — just a few millimeters long. Flea eggs are also incredibly tiny. They also spread very easily. It’s possible to have and spread fleas even if you don’t have pets because they can be spread by wild or stray animals outside the home, and they can even bite humans.
But have no fear. I’m here to help by sharing everything I’ve learned about professionally exterminating fleas using flea bombs. Flea bombs are one of the best methods for getting rid of fleas.
Below, I’ll cover what flea bombs are, how they work, and when it might be time to use one. Equally important, I’ll let you know when you might not want to use a flea bomb and may be better off with another method.
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What Are Flea Bombs?
A flea bomb, sometimes called a fogger or total release fogger (TRF), is a pest control product that releases a lot of pesticides at once into an enclosed space. To use it, you simply activate a switch on the “bomb” and place it inside the house, where it will release pesticides that fill the home and cover everything in it.
And I do mean everything. When activated, the aerosol can will start spraying the product high up into the air, dispersing it around the entire room. The pesticides in the air will float down and cover every surface and object in the house.
The pesticides found in flea bombs are most often pyrethroid, pyrethrin, or both, which are industrial-strength pesticides. Bombs also usually contain precor insect growth inhibitor (IGR), which prevents younger fleas from maturing and breeding.
Deploying flea bombs or foggers yourself is much less expensive than enlisting a professional exterminator or pest control expert for help.
How To Use Flea Bombs
Using flea bombs is somewhat less convenient than scheduling an appointment with an exterminator. However, as we’ve stated, the cost savings might be worth it. When tackling your flea problem with foggers, there are a few steps involved:
Step 1: Preparing the Area
Everything that stays in the area, unprotected, gets coated in pesticides. So, you’ll want to remove a lot of stuff from the house before using the flea bomb. That includes food, cookware, toiletries, children’s toys, pet toys, food bowls, and of course all pets and people.
Clothes can be tricky because fleas and eggs like to hide in them, making the flea bomb less effective. One option is to bag all clothes and then wash them at a laundromat while the flea bomb is spraying.
Any source of flame is also dangerous for a flea bomb, since the pesticides they release are highly flammable. Make sure there are no lit candles in the home and turn off any pilot lights, electrical appliances, and lights.
Stage the house so the pesticides can reach every part of the home. Close all doors and windows to the outside, but open doors between rooms, even closets and drawers in severe infestations (though this will cover clothes in pesticides, which will require washing later).
Step 2: Activating the Fogger/Flea Bomb
My number one recommended flea bomb is currently Precor Plus Fogger. This particular flea killer comes in a 3-pack where each can treats up to 3,000 cubic feet. The pesticide it uses will kill fleas quickly, and also contains an IGR that should prevent re-infestations for seven months.
Follow all the instructions on the packaging for the flea bomb you’ve purchased. Typically all you need to do is set the fogger on a flat surface like floors or counters and push the button in until it clicks and starts spraying. A flea bomb sprays chemicals for several hours after you activate it, some for as long as eight hours. It’s important for you, your family, and your pets to stay out of the house for this long.
This amount of time allows the pesticide to fully disperse and float back down to the ground. Further, when you return you won’t be breathing in a cloud of pesticide.
Step 3: Returning Home
The most important thing after the flea bomb has finished spraying is to clean up and air out your home. Open all windows and doors to maximize airflow. The smell of pesticides may persist for several hours, or even days in larger homes. Give it as much time as possible before going back in, at least a few hours.
When you’re back in the house, clean everything. Wipe down all surfaces that may come in contact with food, especially. Now is a great time to vacuum as well. Using a vacuum pulls the flea hatchlings and eggs up to the surface of your carpets where it will come into the pesticide, helping to break the cycle sooner. Even more, vacuum daily.
Check your homes for fleas in the coming weeks. Sometimes a few eggs survive the flea bomb and hatch later. You may need to flea bomb again, but there should be enough residual pesticide that the fleas die out on their own.
Why Are Flea Bombs Not Usually Recommended by Professionals?
Most professionals do not recommend flea bombs in the home. The idea of the flea bomb is convenient, but it’s not as safe or effective as applying the chemicals directly to affected surfaces like floors and pet bedding. They might be useful in extreme cases, or in unoccupied homes, but they are inconvenient and ineffective for most normal people.
They can also be unsafe. No matter how well you clean, it is possible to be exposed to pesticide left over from flea bomb treatments. Pesticide ingestion is also a big issue for pets, because they typically put their mouths on more surfaces than humans. You may have to keep your pet out of the house for even longer than your family after a flea bomb treatment.
Here are the main cases where I do recommend using a flea fogger:
- Extreme infestations where fleas are in the entire house
- Unoccupied homes (before or after moving in)
- Seldom-used spaces such as garages that may have a lot of clutter and clearing the space out isn’t realistic
Remember, some pets are sensitive to flea shampoos, collars, and other topical treatments. Always consult your regular vet before using any flea treatment.
What Are the Best Flea Bomb Alternatives?
Flea bombs are certainly not the be all and end all of flea treatment. There are many other options that are much safer and often much more effective if used properly.
Here are some flea bomb alternatives that take a bit of work, but are often safer and work better:
Shampoos
Washing your pet with flea shampoo should always be the first line of defense if you suspect fleas. They work well at killing fleas, and if your pet is an outdoor pet, they could probably benefit from an occasional bath.
Repellants
Flea repellants come in short-term and long-term applications for use directly after a flea bath. They come in liquid form as well as in collars for pets. Be wary of flea collars, which are usually designed to prevent fleas, not kill an active infestation.
Cleaning
Wash all bedding, especially pet bedding. Additionally, steam cleaning and vacuuming helps kill and remove fleas hiding in rugs and upholstery.
Capstar
The Capstar pill is a treatment that kills all the fleas that are currently on your pet. It also prevents any fleas from setting up shop on your pet any time soon. Over the years, I have used this method many times — and it has never once failed me. That said, talk to your vet before using Capstar.
Choose the Right Flea Bomb for Your Home
The pesticides in flea bombs do work, but the bombs release them in extreme quantities. For smaller homes that might not need as much industrial-strength, products like Adam’s Flea and Tick Home Spray are a less intrusive option that will still get the job done.
For larger homes, a gallon sprayer with a combination of permethrin or precor IGR will provide that extra-strength flea-killing action you need for a bigger space.
Best Flea Bombs for DIY
Here are my recommendations for flea bombs:
Precor Plus Fogger with IGR
This flea bomb packs a punch with its blend of permethrin and precor IGR. Each fogger is designed to cover an area of about 375 square feet (visualize a space around 15 ft. by 25 ft. with an 8 ft. ceiling).
You’ll need to allow about two hours for the treatment process, followed by an additional hour for proper ventilation. It also kills other bugs like cockroaches, flies, and silverfish.
Pro-Control Plus Total Release
This flea-slaying canister contains a combination of cyfluthrin, piperonyl butoxide, and pyrethrin. This pick for best flea fogger shines in unoccupied storage spaces like attics and garages. Its unique feature is a residual effect that continues to combat fleas for up to eight weeks.
With coverage extending to about 6000 cubic feet (imagine a room sized around 25 ft. by 25 ft. with 8 ft. ceilings), this bomb requires around two hours for treatment, plus ventilation time. That said, it works a lot faster than many bug bombs.
Bayer Advantage Household Fogger
This bomb is another one I’ve used in my own home for flea control. This flea killer showcases esfenvalerate as its active ingredient, akin to pyrethroid and pyrethrin compounds.
This bomb treats an area of about 16 ft. by 16 ft. with an 8 ft. ceiling, or roughly 2,000 cubic feet. The treatment process spans around two hours, ensuring your space is flea-free.
Hot Shot HG-20177 No Mess! Fogger
The last fogger on my list is one of my favorites. I’ve used this product countless times professionally. This indoor fogger kills far more than fleas, including roaches, silverfish, spiders, and more.
Employing an insecticide made with tetramethrin, cypermethrin, and piperonyl butoxide as its active ingredients, this fogger doesn’t mess around. Its broad-spectrum effect targets almost all pest insects (except bedbugs). It covers an area around 16 ft. by 16 ft. with an 8 ft. ceiling or 2,000 cubic feet. This fogger demands patience, with the process taking about 4 to 6 hours from activation to safe re-entry into your space.
FAQs About Flea Bombs
Are fleas dangerous for humans?
Thankfully, not particularly. They are mostly just inconvenient. Fleas do not pose a major health risk to humans, but the itching their bites can cause can lead to infection (but this is true of all insect bites). Fleas do not carry any human pathogens and cannot generally cause enough blood loss to be problematic.
Are fleas dangerous for my pets?
Fleas are not much more dangerous for pets, but they do increase the risk of certain health problems like anemia and infections with tapeworms. Some pets may also experience an allergic reaction to fleas, meaning that they may feel even worse than you do.
Will fleas go away on their own?
Unfortunately, no. Most flea infestations will not go away on their own. While they may sometimes die out during cold weather, in many more cases a small number of fleas remain behind and multiply further once warmer weather hits.
How Do Flea Bombs Work?
Flea bombs, also known as foggers, release a pesticide mist into the air that settles on surfaces. As the mist disperses, it reaches areas where fleas and their eggs may be hiding, such as carpets, furniture, cracks, and crevices. Once the mist settles, it eliminates adult fleas, flea larvae, and flea eggs, helping to break the flea life cycle.
Are Flea Bombs Effective Against All Stages of Fleas?
Flea bombs are designed to target adult fleas, but they may also affect other stages of the flea life cycle. While they can help reduce the population, some flea eggs and flea larvae may be more resistant to the pesticide. For comprehensive flea control, I recommend combining flea bombs with other preventive measures and treatments targeting different stages of fleas.
Are Flea Bombs Safe for My Pets and Family?
Flea bombs contain pesticides, so it’s crucial to follow safety instructions carefully. Before using flea bombs, evacuate humans and pets from the treated area and cover or remove food, dishes, and utensils. Allow enough time for the treated space to ventilate and for the residue to settle before re-entering. Keep pets and children away from treated surfaces until they are completely dry and safe.
How Many Flea Bombs Do I Need for My Space?
The number of flea bombs needed depends on the size of the treated area. Most flea bomb packages provide guidelines based on the square footage of the space. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s recommendations and use the appropriate number of flea bombs to effectively cover the entire area and achieve the desired results.
Can Flea Bombs Be Used Alone for Flea Control?
While flea bombs can be a part of your flea control strategy, they are most effective when used in conjunction with other preventive measures. Vacuuming regularly, washing pet bedding, and treating pets with veterinarian-approved flea products are essential steps in keeping flea populations under control. Combining these methods is a more comprehensive and successful approach to flea management.
