Mosquitos, the noisy and annoying bane of our existences, especially during those hot summer nights and humid autumn days. Each time you hear that persistent buzzing in your ears, you know it’s time to whip out the citronella candles or bug spray. They leave unsightly welts all over the body; welts that swell up and itch something fierce! And as bad as most have it when it comes to mosquitos, those who suffer with an allergy from them have it even harder.

There are numerous products on the market that can eliminate mosquitos and send out scents they will avoid like the plague, such as creams, sprays, or candles. These creams can be heavily scented though and leave an oily sheen on your skin or stain your clothes. The candles can be a fire hazard and only tend to work for the air that is directly above the flame.

Mosquito spray is the tried-tested-and-true method that most people turn to for dealing with these incessant buggers but some of the cheaper sprays can become tacky or sticky on the skin after repeated use. Another option for handling an influx of mosquitoes is the mosquito fogger, a device that omits a semi mist to deter mosquitos and other species of flies or insects that can attach themselves to your skin.

With that said, what is the best for mosquito control? The mosquito fogger or the mosquito spray? Let’s compare and find out.

Pros and Cons

Product

Pros

Cons

Front view of a yellow Black Flag brand thermal mosquito fogger.

Mosquito Fogger

  • Safer
  • Variety of options
  • Better Control
  • Expensive Solution sold separately
  • Noisy
  • Costly
Mosquito repellent. Woman spraying insect repellent on skin outdoor in nature using spray bottle.

Mosquito Spray

  • Affordable
  • Can be found with all-natural ingredients
  • Can leave stains
  • Non-hypoallergenic
  • Strong odor

What is a Mosquito and Why Do They Fixate on Humans?

A mosquito on human skin biting.

A mosquito is a slender, long-legged fly with transparent wings that survive in warmer climates. The male mosquitoes only feed on the nectar of flowers and shrubs, whereas the female feeds on human blood for reproductive reasons.

The female mosquito feeds on human blood as its complex proteins and other vitamins assist in the production of larvae. This larva is then carried full-term because of the nutrition it gained from a person’s bloodstream.

During the blood removal process, the female mosquito injects traces of her own saliva into the wound to prevent the blood from clotting, but it can also have the negative side effect of transmitted diseases! Just another reason to use a mosquito deterrent.

Mosquito Fogger

Trijet brand ULV cold fogger.

A mosquito fogger is a portable device that creates a fine mist infused with an insecticide solution to deter and remove mosquitos (and other insects) from the immediate area. The device can come in a variety of sizes that range from extra small to large industrial-style, and they will be powered by either electricity or propane.

Use caution if you are using an electric mosquito fogger near areas of open water and always use a waterproof extension cord plugged into a certified outdoor outlet. If you are using a propane powered mosquito fogger, ensure that there are no cracks or leaks coming from the propane canister and keep it a fair distance from open flame.

Advantages

  • Most mosquito foggers omit a thick and visible fog, so you can control the amount of product and the direction of the product
  • The size of the droplets of insecticide or repellent is microscopic enough to protect your furniture and body while staying in the air for a longer period of time, ensuring a higher impact on the mosquitos
  • Can be purchased as a thermal fogger which omits a warm mist that is warm enough to raise the temperature of the immediate atmosphere or a cool fogger that omits a colder mist that lowers the temperature of the atmosphere

Disadvantages

  • Can be costly to buy both the mosquito repellant solution and the propane to run the device. If you purchase an electric model, it can cause a slight increase on your monthly utility bill
  • Can be noisy while in operation, as the motor of the fogger will omit a humming noise
  • Can be costly to purchase and also to maintain as it is an device with multiple parts that make up an internal operating system

Mosquito Spray

Mosquito repellent. Woman spraying insect repellent on skin outdoor in nature using spray bottle.
Image Credits: Maridav via Canva

A mosquito spray is a substance is applied to the skin or clothing of a person and it contains certain chemicals to deter mosquitos (and other biting flies) from latching onto your skin. Some mosquito sprays can contain insecticides, but most tend to use all-natural ingredients that is safe for application on bare skin to prevent mosquitoes from landing. There should be a light scent from the spray but never a strong, head-inducing one.

Some cheaper mosquito sprays can become sticky or stain clothing when used too frequently, so it is important to follow the instructions for the spray to the letter. Avoid spraying into open cuts or mucous areas such as the eyes or mouth. If you find that you are having an allergic reaction to the mosquito spray, cease use immediately and contact a healthcare professional.

The term mosquito spray can also refer to the mass production spray that is done by disease control specialists in heavily populated areas.

Advantages

  • A cheaper alternative to mosquito control
  • Can be soothing to the skin but only if you choose a product that contains all-natural ingredients, moisturizers and essential oils
  • Can directly target exposed skin that would attract mosquitos

Disadvantages

  • Can stain clothing if the product contains dyes or other chemicals that have a negative reaction
  • Can cause an allergic reaction if someone is allergic to one or more of the ingredients found in the product
  • Some brands can have a strong scent that lingers on the skin and clothing

Conclusion

There is no right or wrong answer as to what is best – the mosquito fogger or mosquito spray, because everyone has a different opinion. The question should be “what is best for me and my family?”

Consider both choices and determine would suit your needs. Consider the population of mosquitos that tend to arrive in the summer and fall months in the area of your residence. Maybe a spray would work best as they only arrive for a certain number of days and then they are gone again. If you live in a muggy or humid climate, a fogger could be best for long-term use and then you do not have to replace expensive sprays frequently.

Perhaps you have sensitive skin and consistent applications of spray can irritate it, causing little itchy bumps everywhere anyway. Perhaps you have respiratory issues and the mosquito fogger can aggravate them, especially during hotter months.

Whatever you prefer, choose wisely and look into effective means that won’t break the bank. Because there is no worse feeling then spending a nice chunk of change on something that isn’t working and scratching your way to your local department store to try something else!

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