Insecticide foggers, also known as total release foggers or “bug bombs” (Figure 1), are popular products widely available in many retail nurseries and garden centers as well as drug stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores. These easy-to-use products may seem to provide an easy way to kill a lot of bugs fast and may be viewed as more convenient and cheaper than hiring a pest management professional. But do they work?

Are Foggers Effective?

Foggers can be used effectively to kill pests that are flying around or resting on surfaces, like flies, but there are better long-term and more effective...

Starting August 1, 2020, all pesticides containing the active ingredient carbaryl will be designated as restricted materials in California, except for baits labeled only for agricultural use.

Once this regulation goes into effect, only licensed pesticide dealers can sell restricted carbaryl products and only licensed pesticide applicators will be allowed to purchase and use pesticides containing carbaryl.

After August 1, 2020 it will be unlawful to possess or use carbaryl products without an appropriate pesticide applicator license and permit. This includes home gardeners and maintenance gardeners (if they are not licensed to apply pesticides). There will not be a sell-through period for existing...

In order to stay healthy and keep our spaces clean during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are using disinfectants and sanitizers more than they may have before. The Centers for Disease Control say to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, people should wash hands often with soap and water, and for surfaces, clean first with soap and water then disinfect. When used according to label directions, this will reduce the virus particles present that could infect people.

Disinfectants are pesticides

Disinfectants are designed to kill germs, including viruses, on surfaces and are designated by law to be pesticides. These...