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Why Do I See More Roaches After Bombing [Top MISTAKE!]

Using foggers to take on roaches and bugs is an easy and ‘first to try’ method to manage an ongoing infestation. However, foggers may not yield perfect results if it’s not used according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Further, there is a reason for so many other products and extermination companies.

You will see roaches after the bombing because;

  1. Cockroaches will go crazy due to foggers’ insecticide and come out of their nests.
  2. You have not opened all cabinets and drawers while bombing
  3. Cockroaches are hiding somewhere fogger particles could not reach
  4. You have used fewer foggers than recommended
  5. You are being invaded by roaches from somewhere else, like an adjacent apartment.
  6. Your house or room was not properly closed for a few hours while fogging
  7. There were some unhatched eggs hidden away, and they recently hatched

Foggers are fairly effective in eliminating 80-90% of cockroaches but won’t remove them entirely.

Bombing is like the first max kill while you complete the treatment.

There are more steps you should follow to get rid of them completely.

Tired of cockroaches? Invest in only these products and follow the guide to eliminate roaches!

Use these products, and you will be roach free in less than a week.

1. Advion Cockroach Gel Bait (Review)
2. Gentrol IGR Point Source (Review)

Other Products to try:

1. Combat Roach Traps (Easy than gel baits)
2. Hot Shot Foggers (To kill in masses – 95%)
3. Pet Safe Killers (Uses Essential Oils)
4. Ortho Defence Outdoor Roach Killer (Prevent Roaches)

What to do next if you are still seeing cockroaches after the bombing?

So, if you are still seeing cockroaches after the bombing, you should analyze a few things and try again.

1. Follow all instructions written on foggers for a great result

You should adequately read complete instructions, including all safety precautions, and try another shot for great results. Make sure to do these:

  1. Open all drawers and cabinets
  2. Move all appliances around so the fogger particles can reach the backside or hidden spots easily.
  3. Clean the already dead cockroaches before trying another shot
  4. Make sure there are no additional safe hidden spots for roaches to hide

2. Use enough foggers to cover everywhere in your house

Ensure you are not underdoing the bombing than the recommended room size per fogger. If you have a severe infestation, try an additional fogger for larger rooms or hallways.

3. Analyse a constant outside infestation

Spotting cockroaches coming inside your place from somewhere else is particularly true for apartments and buildings where everyone on the block has roach problems.

Learn More: How to get rid of Roaches coming from Neighbors

In that case, you should carry out bug bombing building-wise or make sure there are no entry points into your condo for a re-infestation.

Although, as per my experience, it is challenging to stop cockroaches from reinfesting your apartment if your neighbors have a roach problem.

I will recommend spending a few more bucks on additional foggers for your adjacent apartment to take care of the roach problem in its entirety.

4. Give it enough time

Foggers don’t work with magic. Its rater is an insecticide spray that spreads in every corner of your room.

The insecticide inside the fogger settles down on exposed surfaces and kills bugs and roaches after a few hours of physical contact, either through inhaling or direct body contact.

The process is slow, and a few roaches might have taken a relatively minor dose to die immediately.

Some may survive. So it would help if you gave it enough time before moving on. At least wait for 24 hours before planning your next move.

5. Combine with insecticide spray

Foggers are easy to use, and you can consider them your first line of defense.

Once you complete pest control treatment with fogging, you should add an additional treatment for better results.

You can spray an insecticide behind appliances, inside cabinets, and door hinges.

Spray even if you don’t see anything for now because roaches will die for a few days after coming in contact with the sprayed insecticide.

I will also recommend placing Combat Max Gel Bait behind appliances and keep adding more after two months to avoid a re-infestation.

Check out our recommended list of the best sprays and baits to kill roaches.

6. Clean properly after a treatment

After completing the treatment, you should thoroughly clean to ensure no additional cockroach eggs are lying around.

This will ensure you are not invaded by the offspring to take revenge on the genocide you just did.

Does bombing the house kill roaches?

Roach bombs will NOT completely eliminate your roach problem but will get rid of 80-90% of roaches. This gives you a breathing space while you work out to complete elimination.

Foggers are an excellent way to start a pest control treatment by killing all active roaches, and once the masses are gone, you can work on the source (Nests) using cockroach baits.

Follow all instructions and precautions on fogger bottles for good results.

Read more about how to find a cockroach nest here.

Do foggers make roaches come out?

When you are bombing with foggers, the dying roaches will lose their senses and come out to seek a new location or hiding spots.

You will find them to be climbing on walls after the bombing.

If the cockroaches can find new spots and survive, you may start seeing them more often at different locations than they used to be.

So, yes, foggers can make roaches come out.

Is it normal to see cockroaches after pest control?

It’s normal to see cockroaches after a pest control treatment because the process involved in extermination is using baits or insecticide sprays which take some time to kill cockroaches.

Usually, all cockroaches do not die directly from the placed bait but may die as a secondary or tertiary kill caused by ingesting a dead infected roach.

So you need to wait with patience to see the results. All cockroaches will be gone in a few days.

Do roaches get worse after spraying?

It may look like roaches are getting worse after spraying or treatment, but in actuality, it’s a good sign.

This means the treatment is working. Roaches will come out of their nests after contacting the spray or consuming another affected dead cockroach.

Insecticides make roaches, and palmetto bugs go crazy before they die.

Do killing roaches attract more?

Killing roaches can both attract and repel more cockroaches.

A dying cockroach releases a death smell, which helps other cockroaches stay away from that place, but on the other hand, the rotting smell of dead roaches can attract more.

Cockroaches do consume other dead roaches as they are cannibalistic.

How do you know if roaches are gone?

You know roaches are gone if;

  1. You have spotted a few dead roaches after the treatment,
  2. You will NEVER spot them if the treatment is 100% effective. (Again, gel baits are the only way to get rid of them completely)
  3. The unique oily & misty smell associated with roaches is no longer noticeable.
  4. You can also check on roaches by quietly turning on lights in your kitchen at midnight. If you still have roaches, you will spot them for sure.

You can learn more about concluding a cockroach infestation here.

What do you do after you bug bomb your house?

You should do the following after bug bombing your house:

  1. Open all doors and windows to bring in the fresh air. Turn off the exhaust to expel any suspended pesticide residue inside your home.
  2. Clean all surfaces you interact with, like floors, countertops, tables, chairs, etc.
  3. DO NOT CLEAN hidden spots or places you don’t use. The insecticide attached to that surfaces will kill the remaining roaches for a few days after fogging.
  4. Do wash all clothing you interact with, like covers, sheeting, etc. You don’t need to wash carpets, curtains, etc. The insecticide will automatically become inactive due to its reaction with humidity in the air, and the PPM (Parts Per Million) will be low enough to cause any health issues. You can learn more about the precautions involved here at the EPA website.
  5. Use gel baits or natural cockroach repellents to avoid reinfestations.

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