What components are in a bedbug fog? - briefly
A typical bed‑bug fog contains a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide (e.g., permethrin, deltamethrin, or bifenthrin) mixed with a synergist such as piperonyl‑butoxide, dissolved in a volatile carrier solvent and expelled with a propellant gas (compressed air or nitrogen). These ingredients together penetrate cracks, coat surfaces, and rapidly incapacitate adult insects and nymphs.
What components are in a bedbug fog? - in detail
Bed‑bug foggers, commonly marketed as “bug bombs,” rely on a combination of chemicals and propellants to achieve rapid, room‑wide knockdown. The primary active ingredients fall into two categories: pyrethroids and desiccants.
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Pyrethroid insecticides – synthetic analogues of natural pyrethrins. Typical agents include:
- Sodium fluvalinate – a fast‑acting neurotoxin that disrupts sodium channels in insect nerve membranes.
- Cypermethrin – interferes with voltage‑gated sodium channels, causing paralysis.
- Permethrin – broad‑spectrum, low‑toxicity pyrethroid that blocks nerve impulses.
- Deltamethrin – high potency, effective against resistant strains.
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Desiccant powders – absorb lipids from the insect cuticle, leading to dehydration. Commonly used substances:
- Silica gel (amorphous silicon dioxide) – fine particles that abrade the waxy layer on the exoskeleton.
- Diatomaceous earth – fossilized algae with microscopic sharp edges that puncture the cuticle.
In addition to actives, foggers contain carrier solvents and propellants to disperse the mixture as an aerosol:
- Solvents – low‑viscosity liquids such as ethanol, isopropanol, or petroleum distillates that dissolve the insecticide and aid penetration into hidden cracks.
- Propellants – compressed gases, typically hydrofluorocarbons (HFC‑152a) or nitrogen, provide the pressure needed to expel the formulation in a fine mist that can infiltrate voids and upholstery.
The formulation may also include stabilizers (e.g., antioxidants like butylated hydroxytoluene) to prevent degradation of pyrethroids, and fragrance agents to mask chemical odor. All components are blended to ensure a homogeneous aerosol that settles quickly, delivering lethal doses to bed‑bug populations throughout the treated space.