The Best Propane Mosquito Fogger
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- Last Updated: June 29, 2021
Top 7 Best Propane Mosquito Foggers
There are over 30 foggers on the market today, all of them claiming to be the best at eliminating mosquitoes and other nasty biting insects. While all have their pros and cons, not all foggers were born equal.
To save you time and money, and to provide you with the best insect protection possible, we decided to test them all out to give you our honest, unbiased reviews.
Here are our top seven picks for the best mosquito foggers on the market today!
Bonide Fog Rx Propane Insect Fogger
The Bonide 420 Fog-Rx is another great insect fogger designed for outside use. The fogger is capable of using a range of different insecticides and treatments, so it is effective at eradicating many species of biting flies, mosquitoes, and other pesky insects.
What was noticeable straight away was the quality of the build. The 420 just felt solid in our hands, with obvious care being paid to the materials and the manufacturing. The fogger had a really smooth trigger action that made operation a breeze. The self-starting ignitor was a nice little touch which really made the 420 a very easy fogger to use. Not all of Bonide’s foggers have this, so it was a welcome addition.
The 420 produced a thick fog like the Hudson rather than the mist of the Repel and Burgess, which eliminated any trace of mosquitoes and biting insects in no time at all when we took it out for a test. We did need to keep pumping the trigger, but there is no doubt that it was effective.
One noticeable feature was the insecticide bowl. While it was a little bulky, we really liked the fact that it was translucent because a surprising number of the foggers we tested had opaque bowls. This made checking the insecticide levels super easy so we knew when it was time to add more.
This fogger is very light, weighing in at only 2.7 pounds, so it was easy to transport and carry around, and it would definitely be a decent choice for both family and commercial use.
- Built in ignition switch so no need for manual lighting
- Lingering, dense insecticide fog
- Compact and portable
- The insecticide canister can clog if you don’t empty it
- Trigger can stick during setup
Black Flag 190107 Electric Insect Fogger
Black Flag 190107 Electric Insect Fogger is a handheld thermal fogger and it is one of the mosquito foggers that uses high powered air pressure to produce a fine mist rather than a thick fog. Black Flag claims that this is seven times finer than regular fog so it can penetrate vegetation more deeply and is therefore more effective at killing mosquitoes.
We were impressed with the Amazon reviews of Black Flag’s thermal foggers, so we decided to take it for a test ride. It’s fair to say, we were not disappointed. This thermal fogger was super light and easy to use and completely obliterated all the evening mosquitoes in minutes. We used it before our office barbecue at the lake and there was not a single mosquito or biting insect the whole time we were there.
Black Flag claims that the propane mosquito fogger can treat a 5,000 square feet area in under 10 minutes, and we certainly found it to be very efficient. Another positive is that we only needed to wait about five minutes for the mist to clear before we could enter the area again. This made it perfect for our barbecue pest control and would also be ideal for propane fogger camping uses.
The Black Flag 190107 Electric Insect Fogger is compatible with both a tall style (14.1oz) and short style (16.4oz) propane canister, so you will have plenty of fuel to treat a sizeable area without needing to change cylinders.
- Immediate elimination of mosquitoes and other insects
- Mosquito control for up to six hours with no offensive odor
- Light and portable propane fogger for handheld use
- Safe to enter area just five minutes after treatment
- Produces a fine mist so not suitable for windy conditions
Createch Tri Jet ULV Non Thermal Fogger
Createch is another well-established name in the world of mosquito foggers, and their Tri Jet ULV non thermal fogger can be used with both oil and water based fumigants and insecticides. Createch claims that this electric insect fogger is ideal for domestic needs as well as being effective in industrial, agricultural, and commercial settings.
We were interested in the Tri Jet ULV fogger because it is one of very few mosquito fogger machines that are designed specifically to be used both indoors and outdoors. We tried it out in the office and in the parking lot in the evening and were overall very impressed. It was able to spray about 40 feet, and with a one gallon tank, you will definitely be able to get some serious use out of it.
Anyone who is familiar with previous ULV cold foggers from Createch knows that they were designed with a single nozzle, but the three nozzle design of their new cold fogger really is a welcome upgrade. The range on the adjustment nozzle was easy to read, and the fogger’s base was nice and sturdy. One thing to note is that this fogger is very loud, but this doesn’t really matter because you will need to temporarily clear people out of the treatment area before spraying anyway.
If we have one small criticism of the Tri Jet fogger, it’s that a stain began to show on the aluminum around the top of the pot from the foaming of the solution. While this didn’t affect the performance, it is a bit of a design oversight. Overall, this electric insect fogger is right up there with some of the best non-thermal foggers on the market, particularly because you can use it for both indoor and outdoor pest control.
- Indoor and outdoor fogger
- Three jet nozzles
- Can spray up to 40 feet
- One gallon liquid insecticide tank capacity
- Some staining from foaming solution
- Very loud
Burgess 1443 Propane Insect Fogger
The 1443 Burgess propane insect fogger is a big favorite among experts, and for anyone who knows about insect and pest control, this should come as no surprise. Burgess advertises the 1443 as using the same treatment delivery system as the thermal foggers used to control mosquito population in areas in Africa with Zika and West Nile Virus, so we were confident that it would be good enough for our local blood suckers and other flying insects.
We have to say, we were impressed with this Burgess fogger straight away. It was ridiculously fast and easy to use, and like the Repel, we were able to treat a huge area in no time. The manufacturer claims that the Burgess 1443 can treat a 5,000 square foot yard in less than ten minutes, and we have no reason to doubt that because it was super efficient during our morning spray session at the lake.
While the Burgess 1443 propane insect fogger is only for outdoor use, it is super portable and light so you will have no trouble carrying it around your garden. It is ideal for spraying ground cover, shrubs, and thicker foliage, and can last for over two and a half hours of continuous spraying, so it would also be a great fogger if you have a farm or another agricultural or commercial need. As with the Repel fogger, we were able to enter the area just five minutes after treatment, which would also make the Burgess 1443 ideal for garden parties, camping, and other outdoor events.
- Incredibly easy to use
- Huge coverage in just a few minutes
- Portable and light propane fogger
- Outdoor mosquito fogger only
- Not effective in windy conditions
Bonide 420 Fog-Rx Propane Insect Fogger
The Bonide 420 Fog-Rx is another great insect fogger designed for outside use. The fogger is capable of using a range of different insecticides and treatments, so it is effective at eradicating many species of biting flies, mosquitoes, and other pesky insects.
What was noticeable straight away was the quality of the build. The 420 just felt solid in our hands, with obvious care being paid to the materials and the manufacturing. The fogger had a really smooth trigger action that made operation a breeze. The self-starting ignitor was a nice little touch which really made the 420 a very easy fogger to use. Not all of Bonide’s foggers have this, so it was a welcome addition.
The 420 produced a thick fog like the Hudson rather than the mist of the Repel and Burgess, which eliminated any trace of mosquitoes and biting insects in no time at all when we took it out for a test. We did need to keep pumping the trigger, but there is no doubt that it was effective.
One noticeable feature was the insecticide bowl. While it was a little bulky, we really liked the fact that it was translucent because a surprising number of the foggers we tested had opaque bowls. This made checking the insecticide levels super easy so we knew when it was time to add more.
This fogger is very light, weighing in at only 2.7 pounds, so it was easy to transport and carry around, and it would definitely be a decent choice for both family and commercial use.
- Creates a really dense fog for effective mosquito control
- Able to eradicate a range of different species
- Durable materials
- Self-starting ignitor
- Requires continuous pumping
- Only for outdoor mosquito fogging
Black Flag 190095 Propane Mosquito Fogger
Black Flag foggers are top of the line, and this device, like the Black Flag 190107, is extremely well rated. The 190095 insect fogger uses the same treatment delivery system as Burgess’s pro-rated top models, so we were very interested in giving it a go.
The first thing that we noticed was that the 190095 is super portable, which was good because it’s only designed for outdoor mosquito fogging. We were able to clear around four acres before we needed to refill the insecticide, which is decent in terms of efficiency and comparable with some of the other best mosquito foggers on this list. One feature that we really liked was that the fogger was ready to use fresh out of the box without the need for mixing insecticides or doing any difficult assembly.
We have already mentioned in other reviews how much we like an ignition switch, and the 190095 comes with a spark starter built in. In terms of propane tanks, it will accommodate either a tall or short canister so you should have plenty of fuel without needing to replace the canister too often.
Overall, we found this fogger very simple to use, once we knew what potential temperature issues to look out for and know how to remedy them effectively. For example, we noticed at one point that the fog being produced was a bit thin and had a slightly yellow tinge.
Upon checking the instruction manual, we learned that is because the fogger was too hot, so we left it to cool down before continuing use. When we tried out the fogger for the second time, the fog was too wet and heavy, so we needed to stop pumping in order to give the device more time to heat up before using it. Once we had the temperature perfect, however, the 190095 delivered very good results.
We found that squeezing the trigger every three to four seconds was the best way to get the desired fog. Just make sure the breeze isn’t blowing right in your face and you will be all set. As with many of the other propane mosquito foggers on this list, after just five minutes the area was totally safe to enter again and was still free of mosquitoes and insects hours later.
- Highly portable
- Provides six hours protection
- Convenient spark starter
- Limited tank capacity
- Small heating coil burner
OdoBan Fogmaster Jr. Electric Mosquito Fogger
This electric handheld fogger from OdoBan is a nifty little device that is significantly smaller and less heavy-duty than the other foggers on this list. It is usually operated using a fogging deodorizer that is perfect for getting rid of smoke and animal odors in small inside places. What secures the Fogmaster Jr.’s place on this list is that by replacing the deodorizer with pesticide, you can also use it to get rid of mosquitoes and other nasty insects.
We had a great time using this one in the office, and there is no doubt that it is easier and far more convenient than using a full-blown fogger in a small space. The Fogmaster Jr. is an electric fogger, which means you don’t need to worry about lighting it or keeping it stocked with propane. While usually we would say that electric foggers have the drawback of not being suitable for outdoor use, the Fogmaster Jr. would never be powerful enough for that anyway.
OdoBan recommends this line of electric foggers for home and office use, as well as in small stores or other indoor public spaces, and we would agree with those recommendations. The device comes with a gallon of OdoBan’s own deodorizer, but it can be used with most pesticides.
- Small handheld device that is super easy to use
- Best insect fogger home use or in other small indoor spaces
- Cheapest device on the list
- Only suitable for small indoor spaces
- Inferior performance to other bug foggers
Why Do We All Hate Mosquitoes So Much?
On a list of most people’s least favorite animals, mosquitoes would be right at the top. We have all experienced that one bite that just won’t stop itching, or heard that buzz in the ear at 2am and spent the next hour jumping around our bedroom trying to find the critter.
What some people don’t realize, however, is that not only are their bites incredibly itchy, mosquitoes are actually the most dangerous animals in the world. This is because mosquitoes spread terrible diseases like malaria, yellow fever, and dengue through their bites. In fact, the World Health Organization reports that more than one million people are killed each year as the result of mosquito bites.
What Are Mosquito Foggers?
Mosquito foggers are machines that are used to clear an area of mosquitoes and other biting insects using chemical treatments. Unlike mosquito sprayers that spray insecticides onto surfaces, mosquito foggers create a fog or a mist that kills everything in the air. This normally renders the area completely uninhabitable for insects for several hours while being safe for people just a few minutes after treatment.
Mosquito foggers can be very useful in a range of settings, including personal use to clear your garden of blood suckers and biters before a BBQ or garden party, or for controlling mosquitoes on a larger scale in areas where viruses like Malaria and Zika are present. There are both repel foggers and also devices that kill them altogether.
How Do Mosquito Foggers Work?
When the summer comes and it is time for BBQs and other outdoor activities, many of us follow the same routine: sunscreen, shades, mosquito spray. With a mosquito fogger, however, you may be able to skip the last part altogether.
Thermal mosquito foggers work by vaporizing insecticides and releasing them into the air as a fog or mist. Think of it as a poisonous gas for pesky mosquitoes and other flying insects that will either repel mosquitoes or kill them altogether. The insecticides are present in the fog as tiny droplets which are suspended in the air until they come into contact with an insect or the drops evaporate.
The best time to use a fogger if you are just trying to clear an area is around dawn or dusk when mosquitoes are most active. If you are trying to get rid of them because you are having an outside event, however, treating the area just before the event is fine because it will be safe for people around five minutes after you have used the fogger.
What Are The Main Types Of Mosquito Foggers?
There are two main types of mosquito and insect foggers that you need to consider.
The first type uses electricity and produces a cold fog. These are suitable for indoor use and can be used to kill mosquitoes, as well as common indoor pests like bed bugs. All you need to do is check what type of insecticide is effective against each kind of pest and fill your electric mosquito fogger accordingly. While cold electrical foggers are very effective, they are not suitable for outdoor use as they require a power source.
The second type of mosquito fogger is a thermal fogger. These are usually propane fueled and work via a heating coil that turns the pesticide/water/oil mix into a gas that repels mosquitoes or kills them altogether.
This is then released as a fog and the particles of pesticide hang in the air to kill and dissuade mosquitoes and other biting insects.
Frequently asked questions
Mosquito and insect foggers can be very effective if you choose the right one and you know what you are doing. Make sure to use the right pesticide, set the correct temperature, and follow all the instructions, and you will be able to clear all the nasty biters from the area.
As well as mosquitoes, a fogger can kill various other biting flies, insects, and other pests such as bed bugs. There are different pesticides which are most effective for different species, so identify which pesticide is needed for your particular pest control need, and check that it is compatible with your fogger.
If you need to eradicate all the mosquitoes or insects from a certain area because of disease or some other ecological or environmental reason, then the best time is at dawn or dusk because this is when they are most active. If you just want to eradicate them from your home or office, any time is okay, just wait five to ten minutes after treatment before going back inside.
A mosquito fogger works by mixing insecticides with water or oil and then releasing them into the air as a fog. The volume of insecticides in the fog is very low, which provides maximum mosquito protection without the normal dangers to people and animals that can sometimes come with spraying insecticide directly onto vegetation or other surfaces. As long as you wait for the instructed amount of time, you will be perfectly safe entering the area after treatment.
You should always be careful when using any device that has a propane fuel source. Make sure you follow all the instructions that come with your fogger and that you handle and store the propane tank correctly because they are highly flammable.
This really depends on what you are using it for. Propane foggers are usually more effective in larger areas and can be used outside. The fogger heats up its heating element which causes the liquids to evaporate and this fog can then be released over many acres. A smaller electric device may be all you need for repelling mosquitoes from your home and will also be a more ecosmart mosquito fogger.
Final Thoughts…
Choosing the right propane fogger requires a little research, but hopefully these mosquito fogger reviews have given you some pointers.
The most important thing is to identify where you intend to use the device and what kind of pesticide you need. If you have a large outdoor area that needs thermal fogging, you will need to choose a device that is light and portable so that you don’t have to break your back carrying it around all day.
Additional features like a built-in ignition switch will make your life easier, as will fuel efficiency and a large pesticide capacity. Just remember to read all the instructions carefully and take any necessary safety precautions when it comes to the heating element and your propane tanks. Mosquito foggers are generally very safe to use as long as you are sensible. Happy mosquito hunting!