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Highlands Today

Beware Of The Explosive Bug Bomb

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By Raleigh Whiteman | Highlands Today

Published: June 5, 2008

This recession and/or inflation that we are experiencing may cause some of us to reduce some of our household expenses in order to have a little money left until the next payday. Most of us living here in Florida use certified pest control to take care of those little critters that want to invade our homes.

That is one expense that you probably should keep and not try to use the DIY (Do it yourself) bug bombs.

Almost yearly some homes or apartments are blown to pieces because too many bombs were set off without turning off ignition sources.

Foggers, often called "bug bombs," may create a hazard to people and property if label precautions are ignored. In one instance, fumes from a gas pilot light ignited 18 foggers in a small San Diego apartment, ripping open the ceiling and tearing kitchen cabinets from the walls. A week earlier, a Los Angeles woman sustained burns when 30 foggers exploded in her home, blowing off the roof. Such incidents typically occur during warm weather when roaches, fleas, and other indoor pest populations suddenly increase, and fogger users fail to follow instructions on the product labels.

There's a reason why people often refer to these devices as 'bug bombs', the foggers are simple to use, but they contain highly flammable materials and consumers should read and follow label directions to the letter.

Fogger explosions occur about once a year, on average, but other accidents also result from misuse. Hundreds of cases have been reported with suspected or confirmed injuries from foggers. Most involved respiratory, eye, or skin irritation from overexposure to fumes. Some victims ignored application or re-entry instructions. Others were unaware that someone was using a fogger in the vicinity.

An angry American
I do not know if it is still happening but I received a letter from a Colorado fellow regarding the preferential treatment illegal immigrants were receiving in traffic court.

His wife was cited for speeding which she admits she was guilty of and was summoned to appear in traffic court at 4:30 p.m. on a certain day, to which she complied. There were a number of non-English speaking immigrants there also and the court was told that they would appear first before the judges because the translator was due to get off duty at 5 p.m. and would not stay longer. So the illegal's get a reward for not speaking English and get to go the front of the line.

Each of these offenders was given a $35 fine and if they did not have the money allowed payment terms. None were asked if they had drivers license or insurance.

His wife, who was born in Denver, Colo., raised there, and lived there all her life, was given a $249 fine for her speeding ticket, was not given payment terms, and had to wait until all the non-English speaking immigrants were treated first.

He says this means that we never require the non-English speaking individuals who live in this country to learn English.

Let's never require them to ever get driver's licenses or automobile insurance, so that all of us who do will have to pay higher and higher premiums.

Raleigh Whiteman, of Lake Placid, is a contributing writer to Highlands Today. You can reach him on the Internet at rwwhiteman@comcast.net

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