Smoke bombs were originally used for military purposes: in real armies, they're used to transmit signals over long distances when there's no signal, to camouflage targets during maneuvers, and in other situations; children use homemade smoke bombs to intimidate. And relatively recently, this type of pyrotechnic has also come to be used to control insects, including bedbugs.
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Smoke bomb: what it is and how it works
Smoke bombs are considered by insecticide experts to be one of the best remedies for various pests, including bedbugs.
Smoke bombs can now be purchased at any fireworks store or made yourself and used to scare both people and insects.
This is explained by the fact that the form of the substance is smoke, which independently penetrates into all cracks, spreading along with the air. This means that you don’t need to go from one hole to another and treat it separately, while breathing in harmful fumes.
When using all insecticides, it is necessary to use respirators.
The principle of operation of the product is extremely simple:
- After the smoke bomb is opened, smoke is produced which spreads throughout the entire room, penetrating into the walls, furniture, and clothing;
- The active ingredient is some kind of insecticide that comes into contact with the insect's chitinous covering; depending on the insecticide used, it may penetrate the pest's body through the spiracles, or it may first destroy the chitin and then enter the body;
- the insecticide enters the hemolymph and with its help reaches the nerve endings;
- The substance constantly excites the insect's nerve cells, leading to its paralysis, which, in turn, contributes to the death of the pest.
Bedbugs die from paralysis when using a smoke bomb.
It is necessary to study the main advantages of this remedy in order to further discuss its effectiveness:
- Fire bombs approved for use in residential premises are relatively safe for humans: simply open the packaging, place the bomb indoors, and leave. However, these products are primarily classified as hazard class 3 (moderately hazardous to humans), so a respirator must be worn in any case.
- Smoke penetrates everywhere, even into hard-to-reach places:
- in soft furniture upholstery;
- under baseboards and behind wallpaper;
- into the space behind large furniture;
- into the lamps.
- There is no need to search for bedbug habitats in advance.
- The active substance settles on the surface and remains there for several weeks, allowing the insecticide to enter the body of any new, unexpected guests, should they suddenly appear, and kill them.
Bedbug smoke bombs are typically used to treat summer cottages, vegetable gardens, storage facilities, and garages. This method of bedbug control is prohibited in high-rise buildings, as toxic smoke can spread through the ventilation system into neighboring apartments. In such cases, it's safer to use Japanese or Chinese bedbug smoke bombs, which are approved for use in residential buildings.
New bugs will die upon contact with the substance remaining on surfaces.
Ease of use and the substance's ability to penetrate areas physically inaccessible to humans make smoke bombs more effective than aerosols, gels, and crayons, but this alone is not enough. The effectiveness is largely determined by the active ingredient chosen as the base of the product (most often, different insecticides are used for aerosols, crayons, and bombs). Three main types of substances are used in smoke bombs:
- Pyrethroids are highly effective insecticides that are the active ingredients in many aerosols; they act by contact, causing insect paralysis. They are relatively safe for humans and animals, but require strict adherence to application instructions.
- Hexachlorane is a very powerful insecticide currently used only in agriculture; it is extremely hazardous to both humans and the environment and should not be used in residential areas.
- Sulfur dioxide is an effective insect repellent, but it is also dangerous for humans and animals.
When hexachlorane enters the body of a pregnant woman, it can cause deformities in the embryo.
Types of checkers used against bedbugs
Nowadays, many insect repellent checkers have been developed, which differ in their active substances and additional components.
Sulfur checker "Climate" - only for individual rooms outside human habitation
The "Climate" checker is based on sulfur, which, when burned, turns into sulfur dioxide—a powerful poison capable of killing even mold and various bacteria. Various insect pests won't be able to escape either: they'll either flee from the sulfur's "aroma," or the substance will penetrate their bodies, disrupting their respiratory system and resulting in death.
The Climate sulfur checker destroys mold, bacteria, and insects.
Sulfur dioxide, which is formed during the combustion of sulfur, is extremely dangerous to human and animal health—small concentrations can cause inflammation and even swelling of the respiratory system.
Sulfur dioxide is classified as a hazard class 3 for humans, but when it enters the body, it disrupts the functioning of the respiratory system, so it is necessary to observe safety measures when working with it, as if it were a hazard class 2.
Sulfur dioxide is very poisonous.
The sulfur candles come with a fuse that must be lit. It will burn for one and a half to two minutes, during which time you must leave the room to prevent sulfur dioxide from entering your lungs.
"Climate" sulfur checkers should only be used in cellars outside residential buildings, detached greenhouses, hangars, hothouses, hotbeds, and other storage areas. It is imperative that there be no food, people, or animals present during the treatment. After disinfection, allow 24-36 hours to pass, after which the area should be thoroughly ventilated. Once the odor is gone, it is safe for humans and animals. The product is prohibited for use in residential premises.
I'm happy with the results. Firstly, it really does disinfect the room well. I haven't seen any residue on the jars even after three months. Secondly, it's very easy to use. Thirdly, it dissipates quickly. Fourthly, it's inexpensive. There are so many advantages, I can definitely recommend it.
The "Quiet Evening" checker is a relatively safe option for detached residential buildings.
The active ingredient in the "Quiet Evening" insecticide is synthetic permethrin, which is classified as hazard class 3 (moderately hazardous), making it safe for humans and animals when used outdoors. However, it repels insects and can kill them if ingested. Additional components include paraffin and wax, which, as the insecticide smolders, form an insecticidal cloud that kills all pests. Thus, “Quiet Evening” is an absolutely safe remedy for humans when used correctly.
"Quiet Evening" provides good protection against all types of insects, not just flying ones.
Permethrin is a contact substance, but its vapors will penetrate wherever air can reach, ensuring all insects receive their share of the "gift." The insecticide will penetrate the spiracles of not only flying insects but also well-hidden bedbugs.
Important! Do not use this smoke bomb in an apartment building: toxic fumes will spread through the ventilation system to other apartments.
"Quiet Evening" can be used both indoors and outdoors.The insecticidal film lasts up to 14 days on all indoor surfaces and up to 3 days outdoors. One pellet is sufficient to treat a room up to 1,000 cubic meters in area and up to 300 square meters outdoors in light winds.
In the promotional videos, people run around a campfire with this mosquito bomb, swatting away mosquitoes. How they don't suffocate in the process, I don't know. And it kills not just mosquitoes, but all insects. So, these people who use mosquito bombs outdoors should be held accountable for damaging the ecosystem. Some claim it can be used indoors, where it will kill all insects, including bedbugs, cockroaches, and ants. I did just that. It only thinned out the bedbugs, then I had to finish them off with household sprays, and even that was unsuccessful. And yet, according to the packaging, the concentration in my apartment was 15-20 times higher than necessary. My bedbugs turned out to be resilient, trained ones. Of course, there was an effect. At first, they became terribly agitated, as expected from a non-lethal dose of nerve gas, then some of them died. Then, those that survived the chemical attack began to reproduce successfully. However, the fact that it doesn't completely kill the bedbugs isn't the whole story. The smoke from this grenade fills the entire apartment, even the most hidden crevices, with a fine, greasy dust. This dust is supposed to kill the bedbugs, but it doesn't settle on vertical surfaces, and it doesn't penetrate under the legs of furniture or various vases and figurines, as if deliberately leaving them hiding places. And then you have to practically shovel this dust out. This bedbug control is only recommended to the worst enemy. Although, of course, when the bedbugs are plaguing you, it can be used as a first strike.
Video: Killing Insects with the "Quiet Evening" Smoke Bomb
The Raptor Aquafumigator Checker – for Apartments
The Raptor checker is unique in Russia because it is not lit, but rather inserted into a special container of water. Upon contact, a thermal reaction begins, producing vapor. The active substance is cyphenothrin, which has a powerful paralytic effect (third toxicity class). It can penetrate not only the chitinous covering of adult insects but also eggshells. However, not all eggs are killed, so it's advisable to repeat the treatment 2-3 weeks after the first.
The Raptor aquafumigator is an effective means for destroying various insects in residential and office premises of various types.
Cyphenothrin is a powerful nerve agent that prevents the nervous system from relaxing, causing paralysis and death of the insect. It has no effect on humans.
A special substance called gokilate, when in contact with water, forms vapors of the active ingredient, which spread like a mist throughout the room, filling every crack. After treatment, a very thin film remains that effectively kills insects for 2-3 weeks, although the results are noticeable from the very beginning.
The main advantage of this checker is that there is no need for contact with fire for a thermal reaction. Thanks to this, the aquafumigator can be installed in any room, even where there are a lot of flammable items.
One checker is enough for a room of 30 square meters.
We returned to the apartment a little over three hours later. Opening the door, I saw a still-foggy haze. While I was running to open the windows, I managed to breathe in a little, then coughed for a few minutes; the smell left a persistent irritation in my throat. We waited another 20 minutes for the fog and smell to clear before we could enter with the children. Naturally, we inspected the apartment for dead animals, and happily confirmed that there were indeed quite a few. Then I saw a small number of insects trying to crawl along the walls and ceiling, but they were clearly intoxicated and half-dead. We vacuumed them up and helped them die completely. At first glance, I liked the result much better than after the apartment had been treated by an exterminator.
Japanese Smoke Bomb - Beware of Counterfeits
The Raptor aquafumigator is similar to a Japanese smoke bomb, which works in exactly the same way:
- Water is poured into a special container.
- The checker is dropped there.
- After 1–2 minutes, a thermal reaction begins.
- Insecticide vapors fill the entire space of the room and destroy all insects present there.
The Japanese checker is significantly more effective than the Raptor, since it destroys insect eggs the first time, but it is also significantly more expensive.
Japanese smoke bomb is an effective and easy to use tool
It's very difficult to buy a genuine Japanese smoke bomb containing a safe insecticide in Russia due to the lack of controls on their import from abroad. There is a possibility of purchasing a product containing a substance of the second hazard class (poison for humans and animals).
The checker is designed for 22–26 square meters.
Ladies, if you have the opportunity to order a smoke bomb from Japan, do it! You won't regret it. It works incredibly well. And it's safe (you only need to leave the room for four hours), although it's best to have grandma take care of the baby for the entire day (I think). Although the smell after the smoke isn't particularly strong, the Japanese take into account the fact that people live in the room.
How to choose a smoke bomb
Smoke bombs can provide long-term relief from bed bugs, but keep in mind that all items (furniture, dishes, clothing, and shoes) can retain a very distinctive odor for a long time. If this doesn't bother you, consider the following when choosing a product:
- What is being treated? You can treat utility rooms that are separate from living spaces and where no animals live (in this case, the "Climate" checker is ideal), the street (for example, a recreation area with "Quiet Evening"), or living spaces (Raptor, "Quiet Evening," or Japanese checker).
- What is the area of the area being treated? A typical room up to 30 square meters can be treated with an aquafumigator, while a warehouse up to 1,000 cubic meters can be treated with "Quiet Evening."
- Non-residential premises located away from human habitation can be treated with all types of checkers.
- Aquafumigators won't work on areas larger than 30 square meters.
General rules for using smoke bombs
First, remove all items from the room or at least cover them with bags or plastic wrap. The likelihood of bedbugs or other insects living in them is low if you wear them constantly, and they can linger with an unpleasant odor. The same goes for shoes, food, and all dishes. Children's toys, if present, should be left open, as bedbugs can live in them. Close windows and vents, and open the doors to all rooms.
If there are any cold-blooded animals in the house (fish, amphibians, etc.), their aquarium should either be removed from the apartment, if possible, or covered with a lid to prevent air from entering, and the compressor should be turned off. A few hours without fresh air will cause no harm to the inhabitants, and they can die from insecticidal fumes.
Fish and amphibians must be protected from insecticidal fumes.
All animals and people must be removed from the apartment during treatment. Only one person should remain in the room, who will carry out the disinfestation. In addition to the checker and matches (if it is not an aquafumigator), he will need rubber gloves, a respirator or mask, a stable stand made of non-flammable material (an aluminum pan, for example), on which to ensure safety and place the checker.Protective equipment is needed to protect the skin and respiratory tract, because you will have to work with chemicals.
You need to light the candle's wick so it smolders, or dip the device in water—depending on the substance used. After that, you have one to 10 minutes to leave the apartment.
You should leave the room for several hours—3-4 hours is sufficient, but you should check the instructions for the smoke bomb directly. After this time, thoroughly ventilate the entire apartment to remove any residual odor, as it can be absorbed by furniture and toys.
Only after the entire smell of the product has disappeared can all inhabitants of the house return to it, and fish or amphibians can turn on the compressor and open the lid of their aquarium.
If there are no allergy sufferers, children, pregnant women or pets in the house, you can wash only the surfaces that are used most often with soapy water, leaving the floors, windowsills and hard parts of the furniture with insecticidal film.If any of the above-mentioned individuals are present, it's necessary to thoroughly wash all surfaces, clean carpets, toys, and mattresses. Also, remove any dead bodies from suspected bedbug habitats.
It is necessary to remove all dead insects after treating the premises.
How harmful are smoke bombs to animals and people?
Smoke bombs, whose active ingredients are pyrethroids, are completely safe for humans and warm-blooded animals. However, cold-blooded animals can become ill or even die from small doses of the substance, so extreme caution should be exercised when handling them. However, insecticide vapors can cause poisoning in pets and people, so staying in the room during treatment is strictly prohibited. The presence of an insecticidal film on surfaces is not dangerous, as long as nothing from these surfaces is not put into the mouth without washing (this applies to children and pets). If any fruit remains unharvested during treatment, it should be thoroughly washed and eaten.
Our homes are often invaded by various foreign "inhabitants," such as bedbugs. They're difficult to kill, and they've become accustomed to many remedies, but there are truly powerful products whose ingredients penetrate everywhere and destroy pests wherever they hide. These should be used immediately if insects appear, especially since smoke bombs, when used correctly, are harmless to humans and pets.
