Come spring season and you start to prepare for the itching and scratching of mosquito bites. One question that arises in this scenario is whether a mosquito fogger can really be your saving grace.

The answer is yes. A mosquito fogger is an efficient way to keep mosquitoes at bay for long periods of time. Efficient foggers are said to be able to work at peak performance for up to 72 hours. That means your lawn can be free of bloodsuckers for 3 days at a time. You can purchase and use your own fogger or hire professional help to clear your yard.

Naturally, this isn’t a full-proof way of getting rid of mosquitoes as it’s only a temporary solution. The effect of the fog will eventually wear off, meaning that mosquitoes will come back to your greenery. The fog is also only effective for killing mosquitoes in direct contact with the fog in flight. Those hiding in the shrubbery or relaxing their wings were most likely saved from the pesticides. It doesn’t kill larvae, so the next generation of vermin will still be on their way.

When Is It Best to Use A Fogger?

A fogger can only really work when there are already some mosquitoes flying around. It works by killing those directly in its way and then further resorts to being a repellant. The chemicals inside the fogger can prevent mosquitoes from entering the vicinity of the sprayed area. If you tend to go out into your yard often or are planning on an outdoor get-together, it is best to use the fogger ahead of time by about a day. The best time to catch these pests in full flight is in the evening when they come out for feeding.

Are Foggers Safe for Children and Pets?

Consider this. The chemicals inside the fogger are so minimal that research has shown farming pesticides to be much stronger. In other words, it is very safe for kids and animals. They can go out perhaps 10 minutes after the spray has been applied with no worries of inhaling dangerous chemicals or contacting their eyes. For pets though, there may be a little more monitoring required as they may eat plants that were sprayed directly. Now that can be hazardous for them.

What Chemicals Can I Find in a Fogger?

Larvicides and adulticides are the active ingredients found in mosquito foggers. Larvicides are mainly used to kill mosquitoes resting on the water surface. Adulticides are used for adult mosquitoes that are in mid-flight. Otherwise, you’ll find that the ingredients used in foggers are the same as used in normal bug spray, but in much minor strength.

And Are They Dangerous?

Once again, the amount of chemicals in the fog is so minimal that it can’t really cause harm to people. The feeling of walking under an air freshener when you freshly spray it is all you’ll feel. Wear a mask over your mouth if you feel wary of inhaling the fog while spraying, just to say safe.

How Many Types of Foggers Are There?

Depending on your situation, you may be looking for multiple types of foggers for your lawn to see which one reaps the most benefits for you. To understand this better, here’s a rundown of what’s available.

There are two main types of foggers, those being either a thermal fogger, which relies on heat to create the steamed pest repellant or cold foggers, which use pressurized air to emit the steam.

Thermal Foggers

• Propane foggers are powered by propane, using it to heat up the mixture and spread it around. No other power source is required for a propane fogger. You should note that the propane tanks for these are sold separately, not with the fogger.
• Electric power foggers rely on electricity to heat up the solution inside. The major downfall to these foggers is that they heat up to a very high temperature when in use. Otherwise, they are relatively safe to use if you wish to use them indoors.
• Commercial foggers are an option considered to be both electric and gas, but they aren’t used for homes. They are used for wider areas like warehouses or barns. Maybe at outdoor weddings, so guests don’t get bit through the festivities.

Cold Foggers

ULV Foggers are what you can find in this option. They use electricity and have a motor generator inside them to monitor and modify the air pressure. They are the most common cold fogger option there is by far.

How Can I Maximize Efficiency of my Fogger?

The first step to doing so is by scanning the area you need to be sprayed to find nests and breeding dens. These need to be tackled first because they can prove problematic for the fogger. As mentioned above, the fogger can only do so much, and killing larvae is not one of its perks. Professional help is highly recommended here as they can do the best job in this case. You can even have them protect your watery spots on the lawn by applying larvicides for nests and larvae.

After the breeding areas have been monitored and handled, you can schedule weekly or monthly spraying with help, or do it yourself. Try spraying at least twice a week or whenever you feel the mosquitoes returning. To keep them from infesting the yard, make the fogging routine so the grass and shrubbery stay clear of nests and passing insects.

Conclusion

A mosquito fogger should be your go-to solution for keeping your yard safe and clear of mosquitoes. It has the least amount of chemicals you can hope to spray in your yard and has a decent effect on the mosquito population around. There are different types of foggers that can fit your needs and professional help is always available for those who want the most adequate performance for their family.

*You might also like: The Best Mosquito Fogger Reviews.