Will a Fire Extinguisher Kill…
If you have an insect problem in your house, you may be getting pretty creative! Before you take pest control into your own hands, make sure you have safety in mind!
Will a Fire Extinguisher Kill Bees, Wasps & Yellow Jackets?
It’s common to find unwanted beehives and wasp nests around your property. You can spray them with pesticide, but it might be possible to get the results you want with a non-toxic carbon dioxide fire extinguisher. Wait until a windless day and take close aim at the nest. The freezing, suffocating nature of CO2 should be enough to kill these small stinging insects within a few seconds! However, this is not the safest, or most recommended, option.
However, if a swarm of bees attacks, your best bet is to run away in a straight line. Once you’re out of the way and the bees no longer view you as a threat, they will return to their hive and leave you in peace.
Will a Fire Extinguisher Kill Bedbugs?
Few infestations are worse than bedbugs. These apple seed-sized insects hunker down between the sheets and in the crevices of your mattress, waiting until you settle down for a good night’s sleep to start nibbling on your feet and legs.
You’ve probably heard of Cryonite, a carbon dioxide freezing method that kills bugs without using pesticide. This has you wondering if a CO2 fire extinguisher can get the job done.
The answer is no—you shouldn’t attempt to use a fire extinguisher on a bedbug infestation. The CO2 snow crystals from an extinguisher are too large, the temperature is too dispersed, the nozzle pressure is too low, and the blast is too broad and uncontrolled. A scattering effect is likely to occur if you spray bedbugs with a fire extinguisher. This doesn’t kill the insects and only exacerbates the problems.
Will a Fire Extinguisher Kill Snakes?
When a snake hides in your shed or elsewhere on your property, you want it gone. A spray from a CO2 fire extinguisher may be enough to cool off the cold-blooded creature so it becomes lethargic, allowing you to remove it safely while it’s less aware of its surroundings. Remember, if you’re indoors, the spray from an extinguisher will fill the space with fog, which could make it difficult to see the snake and remove it.
When in doubt, contact your local animal control office to request help catching and taking away the snake safely and humanely.
Will a Fire Extinguisher Kill Rodents?
Got a mouse problem? Or need a humane way to kill small rodents before feeding them to your pet snake? Carbon dioxide gas is a good option. Of course, the ideal method is to suffocate the rodents in a sealed container, such as a trash can, with gaseous CO2, rather than spraying a fire extinguisher wildly at a mouse running across the kitchen floor.
Schedule Fire Extinguisher Services in Houston
At Kauffman Co., we don’t endorse the use of fire extinguishers for any purpose other than putting out a fire. However, if you attempt to kill vermin with a fire extinguisher, it’s important to refill the canister so it’s ready in case of a fire emergency. We provide this service for residents and business owners in the Houston area.
To learn more about our offerings, or to schedule fire extinguisher refill services, please contact us today at (713) 893-1090.