Best Insect Foggers in 2022

While there’s so much to enjoy in the summertime, mosquitos aren’t it. Warm beaches, sunshine, and BBQ are definitely at the top of the list of enjoyable things, but warm-weather insects can quickly plummet the mood. Even when you coat yourself in insect repellent, those pesky bugs can still find a way to ruin your cabin trip, night on the beach, or backyard event.

If you’re looking for a better solution and want to keep the harmful chemicals of repellents off your skin, an insect fogger is the way to go. These devices attract bugs and then exterminate them on contact.

This article reviews the best insect foggers to choose from while also covering additional information that you’ll find helpful. Read on to learn more about mosquitos and see which fogger features help you get rid of them effectively.

What’s the issue with mosquitoes?
The answer here is simple: they carry diseases. While some might be able to cope with their super-annoying buzz and a bite here or there, mosquitoes aren’t as harmless as they seem. A single bite from one can transmit tons of illnesses to its victim, leading to severe outcomes and even death. The most well-known disease spread by mosquitoes is malaria, and though this is treatable and preventable, many people still die from it yearly. Some other illnesses spread by mosquitoes are listed below.

Dengue Fever
The first is Dengue Fever. Victims of this disease report that the pain they experience feels like their bones are being broken, and, in its severe state, Dengue Fever can lead to bleeding, excessive vomiting, and organ failure. With mosquitoes flying around freely, almost 40% carry this disease with them.

Lymphatic Filariasis
A harmful tropical disease, known as Lymphatic Filariasis, is also carried by mosquitoes. This disease causes disability. More than 120 million people worldwide currently suffer from it.

Rift Valley Fever
While primarily found amongst animals, mosquitoes can transmit Rift Valley Fever to humans. It’s not the most dangerous disease to contract, but roughly 2% of people suffering from it can turn blind or end up with a fatal brain disease.

West Nile
Although birds carry the West Nile Virus, if a mosquito stings one, their bite can transmit the disease to humans. When infected, your skin can develop a rash, and you can experience joint pains and headaches.

Yellow Fever
Another deadly disease carried by mosquitoes is Yellow Fever. While most patients recover from it after an incubation period, about 15% fall victim to a toxic phase, leading to organ failure and death.

Overall, it’s best to stay away from these pesky bugs. They carry parasites from one person to another where it infiltrates your system through your blood.

The Best Mosquito Foggers
Now that you know why it’s best to get rid of mosquitoes, we’ll show you everything you need to know about insect foggers.

What are insect foggers?
Insect foggers are devices designed to create what appears to be fog. They do this by spraying insecticide into the air as micro-sized droplets. These droplets kill mosquitoes and other insects.

Features that Matter
All foggers are built differently, and some features simply do the job better. Look for the following features when shopping for an insect fogger:

Angled Spray: Some fogger models have an angled nozzle to prevent accidental human contact when spraying insect repellent. An angled sprayer points the chemicals away from its spraying point, decreasing your chance of being sprayed in the face when setting it off.

Scent: The last thing you want is a chemical scent, and, luckily, most insect fogger manufacturers know this. In recent years, companies started adding pleasant aromas to their chemical formulas, and some even offer scent-free options. While insect foggers aren’t meant to be used as air fresheners, they aren’t as aromatically intrusive as you might think.

Mess Level: Some fogger models are incredibly messy. They can leave a sticky residue in surrounding areas. When shopping for one, ensure that you pick a fogger that uses a chemical formulated to create less mess. Choosing the right fogger model will help you avoid messy clean-ups.

Average Pricing
Like all things in life, insect foggers also have inexpensive and expensive options. Inexpensive foggers have prices ranging from $5 to $15, and they tend to offer only temporary household relief from small insects.

Those in the mid-price range go for $15 to $25 and usually offer a more concentrated formula that effectively kills larger insects, including mosquitoes.

Expensive models can cost between $25 to $65 and are designed primarily for outdoor use.

Tips For Using an Insect Fogger
Below, we list some essential tips to be aware of before using an insect fogger:

Before making your purchase, measure the room you plan to use it in. If your fogger size is too small for its intended area, you’re likely to be disappointed with the results.
Insecticide chemicals can pose a threat to your health. Remember to never be in an enclosed space while using an insect fogger to avoid extended inhaling of its chemicals.
If you have kids, cover or remove their toys in the area where the fogger will be used. Handling toys covered in pesticides can pose a threat to their health.
Ensure that the fog from your insect fogger will be far enough away from any smoke detectors to avoid triggering them. Some are extremely sensitive, and your fogger can accidentally cause a massive panic.
Keep your neighbors or roommates in mind if you plan to use an insect fogger within close quarters. The fog can seep through walls, making it necessary to be cautious and considerate.
Before using an insect fogger, have your local poison control number on hand. You might not have time to search for it when an emergency arises.
Ensure that all food in the area where you’ll be setting off the insect fogger is covered or removed to avoid contamination.
Pets can have adverse reactions to the chemicals in insect foggers, so make sure you never leave them in the house while using one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of insect foggers?
There are two primary types of foggers: electricity-powered and propane foggers.

Do insect foggers work for mosquitoes?
Insects foggers do a great job of eliminating annoying mosquitoes. They work both indoors and out but are only effective when the chemicals come in direct contact with the mosquitoes.

How many insect foggers do I need to buy?
Depending on the area size you plan to use it in, you’ll generally only require one.

When is the best time to start using an insect fogger?
Mosquito foggers work best in the early morning or around dusk. Mosquitoes tend to avoid sunlight and hide in the shade during daylight.

What chemicals are used in mosquito repellent?
A deadly (to mosquitoes) chemical spray, commonly used in mosquito foggers, is made from pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide.

How safe are mosquito foggers to adults, children, and pets?
While the insecticide in foggers is used in low concentrations, making them safe to use around humans, it’s best to keep small children and pets away from the fogging area while the process is taking place.

Directly breathing the fog can lead to illness in pets, small children, and adults with underlying conditions. Symptoms include allergic reactions, breathing difficulties, coughing, diarrhea, dizziness, headaches, nose and throat irritation, and vomiting.

It’s also recommended that clothes exposed to insecticides be washed thoroughly.

Where can I use mosquito foggers?
You can use a mosquito fogger wherever you have a problem with mosquitoes. Experts recommend placing foggers on the upper surface and underside of plants since mosquitoes commonly reside near or inside these areas during daylight.

Can outdoor foggers be used indoors?
Using an indoor mosquito fogger outside won’t give you the desired results. They’re intended for smaller spaces. Contrarily, using outdoor foggers inside will cause too much fog, leading to several health-related issues.

Which fogger works best for mosquitoes?
One of our recommendations is the Longray Greenhouse Thermal Fogger. We like it because of its high mosquito elimination success rate.

Which fogger works best for insects in general?
A good choice is the budget-friendly and lightweight Silver Bullet ULV Non-Thermal Mosquito Fogger.

Is there a specific fogger that works best for gnats?
The XLOO Pulse-jet Thermal Fogger for Insects is one of the best for efficiently and quickly spraying enough fog to kill gnats instantly.

How long is the fog from foggers deadly?
If you purchase a high-quality insect fogger, you can expect its fog to work for up to 3 days.

Will the fog leave residue?
Insect foggers are known for damaging fabric and furniture. While buying a high-quality fogger from a trusted brand will lessen the residue left behind, you can’t escape this disadvantage entirely.

Another critical thing to know about insect fogger residue is that high concentrations of it are flammable, so keep your fogger away from gas or electric appliances.

Will the fog alert my fire alarm?
There’s a possibility that the fog from a mosquito fogger can set off your fire alarm. If you’d like to reduce this risk, ensure that the canister faces away from your smoke alarms and follow product suggestions that will help mitigate fog when used around fire alarms.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.