Bug Bombs for Indoors

[MuscleGirl'sHobby]

I grow my Orchids in a room in my house, which kind of gets used as and office/study area during the day. It's that time of the year when it get's colder and wet out, and all the buggies go crawling for shelter. Spiders are invading faster than I can swat, as well as some ants and little fliers too. In the past we've used those Raid Bug Bombs that you set and then leave the house for a few hours... but that was before all the 'Chids moved in.
Is there any harm done to Orchids using one of these types of pest treatment? I kind of guessed that there won't be a problem, but wanted to make sure before I do it!

Thanks!

[Gin]

A friend used the 1600 X -Clude with good results I don't know if Raid would damage them or not .
Greenhouse Insect Controls at Home Harvest Garden Supply

[Judi]

I'm from a colder climate so I can only imagine you have more of a problem with bugs coming in for the winter than I have. But, to put in my I have to wonder if you really need to bomb the place. If the room is in your house and you use the room, is it a healthy thing to do? And don't forget that spiders live on bugs. I let the spiders alone figuring if they are surviving there are bugs they eat. The yellow sticky strips work well for a lot of bugs, and if I really have a bad problem I spray individual plants with Safer soap or another environmentally friendly--and healthier for me--bug spray. I'm not completely against pesticides, but I only use them at last resort. As for spiders, I've never had a problem with them. We do have brown recluse here, if I see a spider I don't like I put it in a jar and take it outside. Sometimes we get some big ones--the biggest I saw had ~ 3/4 inch long body; we nickname all the big ones Spookey and put them out. Never had a problem with a spider bite.

[MuscleGirl'sHobby]

Thanks for the link Gin, I'll certainly check it out!

Yes Judi, we have brown recluses, as well as black widows. I discovered a bite on my leg the other morning, although luckily it's not from either of those buggers since it's going away without a problem.

I use the safer soap for spot treatments too. I love that stuff because I've got pets and a child, and it's not got any harsh chemicals. I'm not looking to use the bug bomb to keep the buggies off the 'chids, but to clear them out of the house since cleaning isn't keeping up with them right now. Just wanted to make sure the 'chids would be OK with it... because they are top priority ya'know! The bug bombs are a pain to use because you've got to get everyone, including pets out of the house for several hours and kill all the pilot lights. Then air the place out before you come back in. But, at this point it's looking like it's worth it. I've only used them once before... when my kitty brought home fleas from the vet. Now those were a pain to get rid of!

[Ross]

I seriously doubt the plants would suffer from a bug bomb. But the house occupants? That might be another matter. Usually bug bombs are set off when occupants (including pets) aren't in the dwelling and then you'd want to vent the dwelling with fresh air. Bug bombs are getting to the point where they may be registered in most states for use by licensed applicators. They aren't a casual pesticide like Neem Oil.