Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with insecticide

Ew. This is not the type of roach I thought you'd be passing.

numinous — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:58:26 -0800

Joe's-Apartment-Filter: Advice and anecdotes on how to best roach-bomb our place? I'm moving and want to obliterate these monsters!

We’re moving! After two years of terrible management, university take-over, neighbors predisposed to frat parties, and a slew of other issues, I have finally reached the end of my lease. Praise be! Very recently, I’ve discovered yet another reason why this move is so opportune: roaches. I’ve had the good fortune to have never before lived in a place with roaches. So, when I tell you that one recently crawled over my foot while I was in the bathroom (shudder), you’ll understand that I'm absolutely horrified. Horrified and disgusted and just EW YUCK WTF GROSS GET THE HELL OUTTA MY HOUSE OMG.

As I’m so totally new to this (horrifying) game, I don’t know where to start when it comes to extermination and prevention. I’ve already bought roach traps, and set them up in various places, and have already reduced the number of roaches encountered to maybe one every two weeks. BUT! I really, really, really, really, reaaaaaaaaaaally don’t want to transport any of these beast during the move and inadvertently introduce them into our shiny new abode.

Based on advice culled from previous AskMe’s (one, two), I’ve decided that roach bombing our apartment is our best bet for complete roach annihilation. I’m inclined to go with the Raid Fogger, as it’s widely available and not too pricey. I have already purchased a big box of Borax, and have sprinkled it in various spots throughout our current apartment. But this is not enough to soothe my mind and quell my fears that they are still lingering just behind the bookcase, or in the couch, or wherever. I want not to live in fear. I want peace of mind. But most of all, I want to kill with extreme prejudice. So here’s the part where you offer all of your anecdotes and sagely advice!

Do these bombs/foggers actually work?

If I use these foggers, do I need to activate one in each room of our apartment?

How toxic is this stuff? Is it dangerous to humans? (e.g. if there is residue left from it, and it gets on my hands and I rub my eye or pick my teeth, is there a potential for harm?)

What stuff should I move before initiating the fogging mechanism? (Flatware? Kitchen utensils? Sealed food? Electronic equipment? Specific textiles?)

Will food left in the fridge be safe for consumption after the fogging?

How long should we wait after activation to return into the apartment? (Raid suggests 3 hours, but that seems rather short. Is it?)

Is there anything that I've overlooked? If so, please feel free to supply me with that advice, too. Thank you (seriously).

Product that will kill bedbug eggs?

annabellee — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 07:02:12 -0800

What can I spray on flea market/thrift store furniture to make sure I kill potential bedbugs at all life phases? Can you recommend a product with which I can spray furniture I buy at a flea market that will stay potent long enough to kill any unhatched bedbug eggs that may be lurking in cracks? I'm looking for something that doesn't become ineffective after killing any live bugs, but something that will kill the eggs as well.

(I know buying used furniture is risky re: bedbugs.)

Teeny-tiny flies in my kitchen!

Thorzdad — Fri, 22 Jul 2005 08:54:57 -0800

Itty-bitty-fly-filter: Every year around this time, our home is invaded by these teeny-tiny flies... They show up around the middle of July, just as summer turns really muggy, and they stick around until around September. They seem to swarm mainly in the kitchen, but they also like to hang in the bathroom and laundry areas. I'v tried some spraying but, since they prefer areas like the kitchen, I am loathe to just start spreading poisons all over the counters.
Have any of you had any luck controlling these little things? I'd say they are fruitflies but, having never officially seen a fruitfly, I can't honestly say. All I know is, they are so small that even things like flypapers and strips don't work. They are too light to stick to the adhesives very well.
In short, these things are a real PITA. Anyone with suggestions will be my friend for life.