How To Get Bug Bomb Smell Out Of The House

Bug bombs are used to treat severe pest infestations. They can, however, leave a bad odor in your home after they have been applied. If you find that this odor seems to linger for days on end, there are ways that you can get rid of it. And we've researched some of the best techniques to use to do just that!

Here are some of the best methods to use to get rid of bug bomb smells in your home:

  • Air out the home
  • Use baking soda
  • Deep clean the floor
  • Clean your HVAC system
  • Clean the walls
  • Use odor neutralizers
  • Wash hard surfaces
  • Use an air purifier

You should always take a few precautions before using a bug bomb in your home. Oftentimes, these precautions include covering your furniture and removing any pets from the premises. Continue reading to learn about additional precautions to take and how to get rid of any lingering odors.

An air purifier inside a minimalist bohemian inspired bedroom, How To Get Bug Bomb Smell Out Of The House

Methods To Get Bug Bomb Smell Out Of The House

Air out the home

One of the quickest ways to get rid of bad odors in your home is to simply air it out and give it a bit of sunlight. Did you know that UVC-light is effective at killing germs and disinfecting surfaces?

A selective focus photo of a bug fogger

UVC light is a form of UV light, and it is commonly used to kill viruses and bacteria by damaging the molecules and proteins within them.

This means that UVC can potentially break up the chemicals in the fogger, lifting them from the surfaces of your furniture, floors, and walls.

Consider opening up the blinds and windows of your home during peak sunlight hours in the afternoon and evening to help get rid of any foul odors left from fog residue.

Use baking soda

Using baking soda is another great and inexpensive way to get rid of lingering odors in your home. You may need to purchase a set of baking soda boxes, or a tub, depending on the size of your home.

To apply it, place about 2 cups of baking soda in a large hole in the center of a room. Use one bowl per every 150 square feet of room space. Let the baking soda sit for hours or even days until it absorbs all of the lingering odor.

Deep clean the floor

Sometimes the odor can be caused by residue left on the largest area of the home, the floor. Whether you have hard surface floors or carpet, the residue can stick to the surface, making a deep cleaning necessary to lift it.

If you have hardwood floors, consider using a wood cleaner that contains pine or citrus to help get rid of odors.

And if you have carpet, consider using a carpet cleaner to get down deep into the carpet's fibers to help pull out the bad odor. You can also rent a carpet cleaner from home improvement stores such as Lowe's or Home Depot.

Read more details about this carpet cleaner on Amazon.

Clean your HVAC system

Bug foggers can also seep into the vents in your home, leaving residue behind that causes odors. For this reason, it's best to block your vents using painter's tape before fogging your home.

If you're worried that the vents may be causing the odor to linger, consider changing out your filters and then calling a professional cleaner to come and clean the vents thoroughly.

Clean the walls

Another large surface area in the home is the walls. You may be surprised to learn that bad odors can also linger on the walls, especially if the walls are already covered in dust or grease.

Typically, the easiest way to clean the walls is using regular dish soap mixed with a gallon of water or baking soda.

You can also apply tablespoons of vinegar to a gallon of water to get rid of the smell. If you're sensitive to the smell of vinegar, note that the smell will dissipate after a few hours.

A mixture of vinegar and baking soda can help break down any residue or grease on the wall and kill any mold or mildew that they may be harboring.

Use odor neutralizers

There are hundreds of different odor neutralizers on the market today. Consider placing a few odor neutralizers in every room of your home that contains a musty smell from the fogger.

It can also be helpful to use the baking soda and bowl method before applying the odor neutralizer.

Read more about this odor neutralizer on Amazon.

Wash hard surfaces

Sometimes you can absorb musty odors on hard surfaces such as countertops, cabinets, and desks as well. If you are having trouble removing fogger odors from your home, consider giving all of the hard furniture surfaces in your home a good wash.

You can do this using any all-purpose cleaner. Be sure to use it with caution on certain furniture surfaces.

Or, you can use a few tablespoons of baking soda mixed with half a gallon of water. If you find that the solution leaves a film after the wipe down, go back over the surface with a damp rag or sponge (or diluted vinegar).

Check out this all-purpose cleaner on Amazon.

Use an air purifier

Air purifiers essentially work by sanitizing all of the air in the room in which they are located. This includes removing toxins, pollutants, and allergens.

A modern and luxurious office with trellis design ceiling, wooden plank flooring and plants inside for that earthy feeling

Once these particles are removed from the air, you'll notice a cleaner smell in the room. Some purifiers include a negative ion emitting capability, which helps attract positive ion particles to help freshen up the room.

Read more details about this air purifier on Amazon.

You can buy an air purifier anywhere from $40 to $90 online or at your local home improvement store. After applying the air purifier for a few days, consider adding an oil diffuser to help bring a more favorable scent back into your home.

Check out this oil diffuser set on Amazon.

Do you have to clean everything after a bug bomb?

Cleaning your home after a bug bomb is helpful to remove any residue that may have made contact with surfaces such as countertops, kitchen sinks, uncovered desks or tables, etc. However, preparing your home before the bomb is essential.

Preparation includes tasks such as getting rid of any loose-sitting items from the kitchen, living areas, dining room, bedrooms, and other rooms in the home.

It also includes storing away pantry foods, personal items, and other things that you don't want the bomb to make contact with.

How long does bug bomb residue last?

The amount of time that a bug bomb's residue lasts will depend on these specific bombs used, the size of the home, and the amount of fogger used.

Bug bombs available on the consumer market tend to be less strong than professional chemical exterminations, meaning they'll generally dissipate faster than their counterparts.

Some may last only a few hours; others can last anywhere from three to five days. It also helps to check out the list of chemicals in your bug fogger to know what safety and health precautions to follow.

This way, you can prepare your home appropriately before the bomb is activated.

Do you have to air out your house after letting off a fogger?

In most cases, it isn't a requirement. It's always a good idea to air out your house after having a fogger applied—and most professional exterminators will highly recommend it.

The reason is that the chemicals from the fogger are prone to lingering around for hours or days after they're used, and allowing fresh air into your home can mean removing any bad odors that may be left behind from the spray.

The insecticides used in the sprays can also affect your indoor air quality, subsequently having negative health effects.

Check out this bug fogger on Amazon.

What happens if you stay in the house with a bug bomb?

Staying in the house while a bug bomb is being used can cause serious health consequences. The chemicals involved in the bombs can cause respiratory conditions such as reactive airway disease and chronic pulmonary obstruction.

It can also trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks. Children and infants are at an increased risk of getting sick from these pesticides. So to say, it's definitely not recommended.

Wrapping Things Up

If you find that fumigating your home is the best way to eradicate a pest infection infestation, be sure to follow the recommended precautions ahead of time. And if you notice any lingering odors afterward, try some of the methods above to help get rid of it in no time.

Can You Fog Your Attic For Bugs? [Here’s How]

How To Get Rid Of Spiders In The Basement?

Share this article

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *