About Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes seem to have an almost freakish ability to find us and the human blood that they crave. We attract them with the warmth of our bodies and the smell of carbon dioxide and other natural secretions emitted by our skin, among other things. Even though they have a short average lifespan of only 2-3 weeks, they can live longer (up to 6 months) and they typically breed very quickly. Most females will lay many hundreds of eggs and spawn large numbers of offspring in a very short amount of time.
They need water to reproduce, so some potential nesting areas for mosquitoes include lakes, swamps/marshes, swimming pools, buckets of water, planters, birdbaths, fish ponds, and trees.
Using Mosquito Foggers for Mosquito Control
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Mosquito foggers do just that. These devices disperse insecticide into the air and should be directed at the areas mosquitoes use to congregate and breed. The insecticide appears in the form of a mist or fog of small droplets of insecticide. The mosquitoes that come in contact with the poison are killed, often instantly. You can discharge fogger contents directly onto foliage and lawns or allow it to drift from a distance.
Foggers are the devices of choice for pest control professionals when regulating mosquito populations.
There are two main types of mosquito foggers: thermal and electric.
- Thermal foggers use flame to heat coils that convert an insecticide from a liquid into a mist or fog. They are ideal for use in outdoor areas like large yards, patios, etc. These devices can operate using only a small propane gas cylinder, making them very portable and versatile. But, be sure not to use them in enclosed spaces due to the risk of asphyxiation and burns! Learn more about propane mosquito foggers.
- Electrical foggers (also called ultra-low volume or ULV, foggers), on the other hand, run on electricity (from an outlet or battery). They use this to generate high pressure that transforms the fogging liquid into a fine mist that they then disperse into the surrounding air.
Alternatively, you can check out propane bug zappers or consider the best mosquito repellent for the yard if you want to stay device-free.
How To Use Chemicals For Mosquito Fogging
How to prepare and use the product
Your chosen insecticide will probably need to be diluted with water before use. When mixing your insecticide, be sure to follow the instructions on the label of your chosen brand carefully. Using the right quantity of water in the dilution step is important, as this will ensure that you get the best results from your treatment.
Once your insecticide is prepped and ready, you can set off the fogger. Always do this in accordance with the instructions on your device.
Safety tips for using fogging insecticides
- Follow the instructions. The number one safety tip for using mosquito foggers is to follow the instructions on your device. This will help you to operate your fogger as safely and effectively as possible.
- Wear protective gear. Insecticides can contain harmful chemicals that can cause irritation or injury if they come into contact with your skin and eyes. The easiest way to minimize the risk is to wear gloves, goggles, and long sleeves and pants while mixing chemicals and operating your fogger.
- Avoid contact with insecticides. Try to avoid getting insecticides on your skin. If you do drip or pour some of the liquid product onto yourself, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water to avoid irritation.
Is there a best time of day to fog for mosquitoes?
The best time to fog for mosquitoes is at dawn or dusk.
Mosquitoes are most active during the early morning and late afternoon/evening, so fogging is most effective when done at those times.
Most mosquito species can’t cope with strong sunlight and will rest in shady spots during the daytime. They are most active at dawn and dusk when the sunlight isn’t as harsh, and they can come out to feed. There will be more of them flying around at these times, so your fogging treatment will be more effective.
The Insecticides Used in Mosquito Foggers
Generally speaking, these chemicals are divided into two types: residual and non-residual.
- Residual Chemicals – leave a residue that remains active for hours to weeks. Because insecticides are lethal to beneficial insects as well as pests, they may not be the best option for your lawn or garden.
- Non-Residual Chemicals – do not persist on surfaces and are only active during and immediately after treatment. Fogging with these chemicals is similar to going over your garden with a large can of mosquito spray. With a mosquito fogger, you can apply this type of insecticide to large stretches of land. These mosquito-infested areas can include foliage, lawns, and gardens. Unlike their residual counterparts, non-residual insecticides have a much shorter half-life. This means that their potency rapidly decreases after application, resulting in much less impact on other wildlife.
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Mosquito Fogger Chemicals: Common Active Ingredients
- Malathion: This is an organophosphate that is often used to spray crops as well as in mosquito fogging devices. You can spray it directly on vegetation where you know the mosquitoes dwell. Its residual effectiveness varies with the type of surface onto which it is sprayed, remaining active on wood surfaces longer than plaster.
- Permethrin: This is one among many chemicals known as pyrethroids. These chemicals are synthetic replicas of a naturally occurring insecticide found in certain species of the chrysanthemum flower. Generally, you mix these chemicals with oil or water and apply them as a mist.
- Sumithrin: This is a commonly used pyrethroid insecticide that is used to control a variety of insects, including mosquitoes. This chemical has relatively low toxicity in humans unless it is inhaled in large quantities. It is non-carcinogenic and quickly decomposes to non-toxic breakdown products in the environment. However, it is more toxic to dogs and cats than it is to humans, and is highly toxic to bees, fish, and other aquatic animals.
- Resmethrin: This is also a type of pyrethroid insecticide that is used to control a variety of insects. It has low toxicity but can cause stinging, itching, burning, tingling, and numbness if it comes into direct contact with the skin. It may also cause symptoms including dizziness, nausea, and fatigue if accidentally inhaled. Like sumithrin, it breaks down fairly quickly in the environment but is highly toxic to bees, fish, and aquatic organisms.
- Piperonyl butoxide (PBO): This is a commonly used ingredient in mosquito foggers. By itself, PBO does not harm insects; instead, it works alongside insecticides (such as permethrins or pyrethroids) to make them more effective. PBO has low toxicity in humans but may cause irritation if it comes into contact with the skin or eyes. This chemical is moderately toxic for fish and other aquatic organisms but is virtually non-toxic for mammals, birds, and bees. However, it is often used in combination with other insecticides (such as sumithrin or resmethrin), which are highly toxic to bees.
These ingredients work by interfering with the central nervous system of their target insects. Because they are powerful insecticides, they can also be toxic to fish and small birds. This is something you should bear in mind if you care about the other fauna in your yard. But they are generally safe for humans when applied in the quantities recommended to control mosquitoes. Permethrin is less likely to enter groundwater than malathion and may be slightly safer for the environment as a result.
Summary
Frequently asked questions
Thermal foggers often use electricity to generate heat, so the same insecticides can usually be used in both. If you are unsure, read the label on your device to clarify which insecticides can be used.
Always read the label on your specific device to determine which types of insecticides can be used.
These insecticides can be used to kill a wide range of insects and other bugs, including fleas, flies, cockroaches, lice and ticks. Many insecticides are also harmful to non-target insects, such as bees and butterflies.
Fogging is not a permanent fix against outdoor mosquitoes. These products often have peak effectiveness for around 72 hours, after which point new mosquitoes will hatch. Repeated fogging will help to break the breeding cycle, however, so after a while you can reduce the frequency of treatment.
You can calculate how many bottles you will need by reading the product label to find out how many square feet it will cover. You will also need to measure the size of your yard. Once you have these measurements, you can calculate how many bottles of product you will need to fully treat your garden.
Insecticides are often harmful to other wildlife species. Most commercially available products have low toxicity for birds and mammals, but can be harmful to fish and other aquatic organisms. They are also often highly toxic to bees and other non-target insect species, such as butterflies.
It is not recommended to eat fruits or berries that have been sprayed with insecticides. Even products with low toxicity will probably impair the flavor of the fruit.
33 Comments
Jon
What are things you should not run through a ULV fogger. I know a lot of people with broad mites, and like to use organic products like Nuke Em, Azamax, Neem, and various essential oils, with a wetting agent.
Thank You!!
Karen
Hi Jon,
To know what type of solutions you can use with your ULV fogger, you should look at the label for your particular fogger and check if the fogger can be used with oil based solutions, water based solutions or both. And then you can find a suitable solution (oil or water based one), that will not only help you get rid of your pest problem, but that will also be organic.
Best,
Karen
Louise
Hi,
Which one would be safe to use around horses?
Karen
Hi Louise,
Experts say, that insecticides in the pyrethrin family (allethrin, resmethrin, permethrin, cyfluthrin, esfenvalerate, bifenthrin, Cyfluthrin and such) are the safest for horses. Fallowed by Carbaryl based insecticides. And that you should make sure to avoid organophosphorus insecticide family (insecticides containing malathion, parathion, diazinon, fenthion, dichlorvos, chlorpyrifos, ethion, trichlorfon).
So from this list I would go with the Vet Kem Pest Control Spray. However, some of the others on the list also could work.
The key is to check the label of the insecticide you want to use and make sure that it says that it is safe to use around animals and that you know how to use the insecticide.
Best,
Karen
Craig
Hi we have a large swamp/pond by us and cannot enjoy evenings without being attacked by Miskitos I have a large fogger .have you any spray or fluid that will not kill fish or wild fowl to help this situation
Regards
Craig
Karen
Hi Craig,
You can use most of the products in this article, because they are great mosquito killers and won’t be harmful to fish. Although, in general, we usually tell people to avoid spraying the insecticide around water-bodies, and use products like mosquito dunks instead, because the dunks are specially designed to kill mosquito larvae in water but not to harm other wildlife.
Best,
Karen
Noah
I am sorry if this sounds redundant but i have a black flag thermal fogger and i know their solution is oil based. But i am looking for a solution i can use in a thermal fogger that will last longer than 6 hrs. I know you have stated some in your article but was unsure if when you used the term fogger that meant thermal fogger or all foggers?
Karen
Hi Noah,
No worries. I know for a fact that you can use the Black Flag insecticide, the BONIDE Flying Insect Fog, the ExciteR 6% Pyrethrin Pest Control insecticide, the Kontrol 4-4 Mosquito Fogger Chemical, the Repel Fogging Insecticide, the Wondercide Natural yard spray, and the BP 100 Pyrethrin Fogging insecticide with a thermal fogger.
Best,
Karen
Stephanie bradley
Are there any of these that are best for biting midges but won’t harm bees?
Thanks
Karen
Hi Stephanie,
I would suggest you to try the Monterey Garden Insect Spray Concentrate, because it is organic and therefore won’t harm beneficial insects like bees, but it will kill mosquitoes, midges and any other unwelcome pests.
Best,
Karen
Patricia
wondering if there is an actual store where these products are sold – in the Ottawa or Toronto area…..
Karen
Patricia,
I am not sure, as I am not from this area. But I would suggest you to check out your local hardware stores, like Lowe’s and such.
Best,
Karen
Carlos
Hi Karen, I am debating between Kontrol 4-4 Mosquito fogger and the BP 100 Pyrethrin Fogging insecticide. Which one is more effective, aggressive and long lasting to treat mosquitoes, chiggers, and some ants?
Karen
The Kontrol 4-4 insecticide is a bit more potent and therefore will be more aggressive since it contains 4.6% Permethrin and Piperonyl Butoxide versus the 2.0% Piperonyl Butoxide, 1.0% Pyrethrins and 2.94% MGK 264 that the BP on contains.
Kenneth Dewayne Miller
I am ordering a propane fogger to fog the inside of my chicken coop. The mosquitoes seem to like to hang out in there. Is there a good organic solution that won’t harm my birds that can be applied with the fogged?
Karen
The most natural insecticide from all those listed in this article is the Wondercide Natural Flea and Tick Yard Spray Concentrate. The active ingredient for this one is Cedar oil, which is completely organic and natural.
However, know that some say that cedar oil is bad for chickens since they have very sensitive respiratory systems and large concentrations of cedar oil can cause health problems. While others say it is totally okay to use cedar oil in chicken coops as long as you properly ventilate the coop before letting your birds back in it. So I’d recommend you do your own research on cedar oil before using it in your chicken coop.
TJ Ferguson
Hi we I own a hand held thermol fogger and also a ulv grey hand held fogger with the 18 inch hose. I was wondering if one would work better than the other for mosquito control around our home. We can’t walk outside without getting swarmed and bitten. Also need the best and most potent product to use in either one or for the fogger you recommend. We have woods on one side of our home and open grass field on the other. We also have window wells that I feel are harboring a lot of the mosquitoes. Thank you and we look forward for any help you can give us.
Karen
Both foggers will are perfect for home use. However, and ULV fogger can deliver slightly more consistent and thorough results, so I’d suggest you use that one. As for fogging solutions, ExciteR, Riptide and the Vet Kem Spray will be great for getting rid of mosquitoes for up to 4 weeks. While the Mediclean X-590 will let you enjoy a mosquito-free area for months to come. The rest of the solutions are a little less potent and therefore don’t last that long. However, the upside is that they are a bit more natural and not as harmful to the environment and the creatures living in it, especially fish and bees.
Sully
what would be good to use for a DIY fogger solution for a propane fogger, to kill termites?
Insectcop
In my opinion, foggers in general are not the best choice when dealing with termites. As for other methods, you should read the article we’ve written.
David
Hello,
Purchasing a Burgess fogger. Seems all the insecticides say “outdoor” use only. My detached garage appears to be the mosquito rendezvous, where they plan their assaults on our family. Nothing living in there except the mosquitos and some mice. Is there any unknown harm I would do by fogging inside the garage? Thanks.
InsectCop
Hi, most insecticides are toxic, which is why you shouldn’t use them indoors. I guess, if no one ever goes there and you protect yourself from inhaling the fumes during application, that risk might be eliminated at some extent. However, we still highly suggest you not to try this! Still, one that can be used indoors is LD BP-100 Fogging Concentrate, just make sure to follow the product label if you choose to use it. Lastly, you also need to remember that if you’re getting a propane fogger, it is considered to be a fire hazard when used indoors. Which is another reason not to do this!
Margaret Duckworth
Noticed on back yard sprays, you did not mention “Talstar”. Have been using this (and feeling bad about bees!) for three years; I have a true case of “tick-a-phobia” , since my daughter in law’s mother died of ehrliciosis (spelling?) Southern States recommended this product. Should I change to something else?
I live in Virginia and am an inveterate gardener.
Thank you for you researched advice.
InsectCop
We’re glad to hear you’re willing to protect the bees from harm! If you have bees visiting the treated area, Talstar would probably not be the best option since it truly is, as also stated on the label, highly toxic to them. If you’re willing to switch it up, we would highly suggest trying out Wondercide Flea & Tick Spray .
Thomas Levendoski
If you wish to focus on killing chiggers, which product would do the best job?
InsectCop
We would suggest trying ExciteR Insecticide Concentrate.
Dale
We live near a lake and have swarms of non biting midges all over the house for weeks. Best spray to treat these please?
InsectCop
You can try looking for something containing DEET or Pyrethrins. Obviously, it would be better to avoid the chemicals, but if you’re desperate, those should help.
Dylan Woerlen
I own a Tomahawk mosquito fogger and mist blower. trying to find which is the best kind of fogging insecticide to use in this machine to fog my 3 acres of mosquito infested property. all grass. thanks
InsectCop
We suggest trying Suspend SC insecticide.
Kenneth
And David August one I would highly recommend wearing a respirator when applying the pesticide that should take care of any breathing issues later on
Juan D
Can you recommend the best organic solution?
Thanks Juan
InsectCop
We suggest Monterey Garden Insect Spray. It works well and is organic.