Most people are looking to get rid of mosquitoes because they are super annoying, and the bites cause itchiness and a lot of irritation. More importantly, mosquito bites can transmit about 15 different diseases, some of them being actually fatal. Mosquitoes are amongst the greatest disease carriers in the entire world. If you have ever experienced a mosquito infestation, then you know how horrible it is. Thankfully, if you're passionate about do-it-yourself projects, you can make your very own mosquito fogger and gets rid of these pesky disease-carrying insects.

The result of the following project is intended for outdoor use. For indoor use, you should consider combining essential oils with a cold air diffuser for the best solution. Aside from filling the room with the great scent, essential oils are known for helping to get rid of insects. And speaking of essential oils, at the end of this homemade mosquito fogger, I’ve added a little bonus for our readers who aren’t that convinced in using insecticides based on chemicals.

What You'll Need

lawn mower closeup
lawn mower closeup

The most essential item needed in creating your own mosquito fogger is a lawnmower. In addition to that, you’ll require:

  • 1 x face mask for protection
  • 2.5-foot-long copper pipe, measuring 0.25 inches in diameter
  • 1 x set of pliers
  • 1 x drill with a metal bit
  • 1 x screwdriver
  • 1 x inflatable ball needle
  • 1 x 12-inch soft binding wire
  • 1 x new oil can, with built-in lever & flexible hose
  • 1 x metal clip with a large diameter
  • 2 x metal clips with small diameter
  • an insecticide that contains methoprene, permethrin or pyrethrin

Please note that there are several different tutorials that teach you how to make your own DIY mosquito fogger and, aside from using a lawn mower, the other materials required are variable, depending on the technique each project uses.

How It’s Made

Armed with a little bit of patience, anyone can create a DIY mosquito fogger that operates similarly to the ones found in gardening stores. The efficiency of a mosquito fogger lies in its capacity to spray insecticide in larger areas where mosquito infestations are threatening the safety of people. We’ve broken down this DIY project into 13 easy-to-follow steps.

Step One

Take the new oil can you’ve set aside for this project. Using whatever cutting tool you have lying around, cut the tip of the hose attached to the can.

Step Two

Connect the end of the copper pipe and the loose end of the flexible hose together.

Step Three

Secure the 2 tied ends together, by placing a hose clamp here.

Step Four

Master extends the end of the copper pipe
master extends the end of the copper pipe

At the open end of the copper pipe, place the inflatable needle and make sure you secure it into place, by tightening the pipe at the base of the needle. You can use one of the small metal clamps.

Step Five

Take a long 12-inch metal clamp and secure it to the body of the oil can, by tightening it.

Step Six

Open a small metal clamp completely and place a section of it between the large diameter clamp and the oil can’s body.

Step Seven

Next, proceed to tighten the large diameter clamp you’ve previously placed around the oil can, to make sure that you get a strip of the smaller clamp pressing tight on the body of the oil can.

Step Eight

Using the small clamp, secure the oil can on the lawn mowers handle, making sure that the 2.5-foot copper pipe will enter the muffler box.

Step Nine

machine tool in metal factory equipped with automatic drilling cnc machines
machine tool in metal factory equipped with automatic drilling cnc machines

Using your drill, puncture a hole in the muffler box, making it a bit wider than the copper pipe’s diameter.

Step Ten

Next, it’s time to connect the copper pipe and the muffler. Connect 2 inches of the copper pipe inside the hole you drilled at step #11 and use the soft binding wire to make sure the copper pipe is firmly set into place.

Step Eleven

Proceed to fill the oil can with the insecticide solution you’ve purchased.

Step Twelve

By walking behind your lawn mower, start pumping the lever located on the oil can.

Step Thirteen

You can now move next to whatever shrubs or lawn areas need fogging. Make sure you wear a face mask for protection, just to make sure you don’t inhale any dangerous fumes.

Bonus: Essential Oils Mosquito Spray

Homemade insect repellent bug spray with rosemary oil

If you’re skeptical about using insecticides that rely on chemicals to kill mosquitoes, you can make your very own mosquito repellent, based on a mix of some natural essential oils. If you want to make your own repellent, you’ll need:

• 20 x drops of Citronella essential oil

• 10 x drops of Eucalyptus essential oil

• 10 x drops of Catnip essential oil

• 5 x drops of Thyme essential oil

• 3 x drops of Neem oil

• 3 oz. of vodka or Witch Hazel/Distilled Water combo

All you have to do is mix the ingredients together in a spray bottle and let the mixture do its work. Depending on the region where you live, you may discover that changing the ratio of each ingredient leads to a more efficient formula.

It’s no secret that essential oils are found in many mosquito repellent products, even if in some of their recipes, they are combined with other chemicals. Generally speaking, most of the chemicals found in insecticides will attack the nervous system of mosquitoes and other insects, killing them on contact. That’s why such insecticides have a high level of efficiency in helping people deal with mosquito issues. But if you’re not a fan of chemicals, we totally get that. That’s why these particular essential oils mix may be more suitable for you than spraying other forms of insecticide.

Conclusion

Easy Steps to Make Your Own DIY Mosquito Fogger

Creating your very own mosquito fogger isn't a very complicated process. There are a few tips and tricks that you can take into consideration in order to make sure that you get rid of your mosquito infestation problem. For example, fogging mosquitoes sometimes isn't enough to permanently get rid of them. You should also make sure that you cleaned the larvae in puddles and that you avoid having any standing water on your property.

In order to get the best results after using the mosquito fogger, you should try to apply it during the evening, when mosquitoes are known for being the most active. They can generally be found in patches of thick vegetation or in areas where water collects.

Each time you apply an insecticide, make sure that you use either a face mask or a chemical respirator so that you can avoid inhaling any dangerous chemicals. No matter which type of insecticide you use, make sure that you always read the instructions, so you know how long it takes for the sprayed area to become clear.

Even though mosquito foggers and insecticides are generally very efficient, a single spray won't get you a bit of a nasty infestation. Most insecticides which are currently available on the market have an active period of about six hours. That means that you will have to regularly spray an infested area for a longer period of time, to make sure that you are doing everything in your power to get rid of these nasty insects.