Photo: amazon.com
No matter how many locks there are on your doors and windows, there is still a chance small intruders can sneak into your home and wreak havoc. Insects are mostly harmless. However, certain species can cause real harm not only to your home but also to your family. Pests that bite can be irritating and uncomfortable to come in contact with. With an insect nebulizer in your arsenal, you can rid your home of these nasty intruders and keep your home and family safe. Read on for tips on choosing the best insect nebulizer for your home.
- BEST OVERALL: Spectracide 100046128 Bug Stop Indoor Fog Machine
- BEST BANG FOR THE BLACK: Hot Shot 95911 AC1688 Bug and Flea Fogger, 3-pack
- BEST WITH ODOR NEUTRALIZER: Hot Shot 100047495 HG-20177 No Mess Fogger, Aerosol
- BEST FOR LARGE AREAS: Raid Concentrated Fogger 1.5 Ounce – Pack of 3
- BEST SERIOUS INFESTATIONS: Hot Shot Fogger6 insect killer with odor neutralizer
Photo: amazon.com
What to consider when choosing the best insect nebulizer
There are several factors to consider when purchasing an insect nebulizer. Many fog machines are made with harsh chemicals and are subject to strict rules. Researching the best options and safest treatments can help you rid your home of irritating insects in a safe and effective way. Some of the most important characteristics to look out for include the type of insects the nebulizer kills, the ingredients in the nebulizer, how much space it protects, how long to leave the area, how long it will last, and how safe it is .
Insect species
Most smoke machines are specific to insects. Before you buy, think about the errors you need to fix and purchase a fog machine that is specifically designed to address those errors. Certain insects, like fire ants, may need a specific product to kill them off. Using a typical fog machine will not eradicate fire ants; the same goes for fleas.
ingredients
While there is a long list of complicated and almost unspeakable ingredients in some of the best insect nebulizers, it is important to look for formulas that are safe to use at home. Some fog machines leave behind a wet and sticky residue that creates a chemical smelling mess. To prevent this from happening in your home, look for a formula that does not stain and is odorless.
Area size
Be sure to check the fog machine cover before purchasing, as purchasing a fog machine that does not cover the infested area will render the fog machine unusable. Alternatively, a fogger designed for a larger area can potentially be dangerous if used in a small space. For example, a fogger designed for an area of 1,000 cubic feet will suffice for an area of 900 square feet, but cannot be used for a smaller room.
Vacation time
Dealing with an insect infestation is frustrating. You may even have to leave your home for several days as many nebulizers contain harmful chemicals that cannot be breathed. Fortunately, there are fast acting fog machines that allow users to return home in a matter of hours.
If you can’t find a fast acting fogger, you may need to ventilate your home by leaving the windows and doors open for a few hours when you return. Find out beforehand about the time frame of your fog machine. This way, your bug bombing will be smoother and everyone will know what to expect.
longevity
After you go through the hassle of finding the best insect nebulizer, evacuate the house for hours and ventilate the room. To avoid the risk of post-processing, look for an insect nebulizer that is durable. Some products work for up to two months after being bombed or even longer. Finding a potent fog machine will keep the bugs out and prevent others from following their tracks.
security
When clearing the house of nasty bugs, it is important to do so safely. This is especially true if there are pets or small children in the household. You never know what a pet is licking or what children might put in their mouths. The best way to keep your family safe from an insect nebulizer is to follow the directions and keep your pets and children out of the house until they can return safely.
In addition to the directions on the label, look for products that don’t leave a sticky residue. This way, once you have misted up, you don’t have to clean your home from top to bottom or worry about your kids or pets inadvertently picking up toxic chemicals.
Our top selection
With all the different types of insect nebulizers, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. Based on the criteria above, this list includes some of the best insect nebulizers on the market. The top picks will leave your home flawless and protect your pets and family members from harsh chemical residues.
Photo: amazon.com
This Spectracide insect nebulizer kills many of the bugs that plague homes everywhere, including cockroaches, ants, fleas, brown dog ticks, mosquitos, houseflies, silverfish and spiders. This fogger not only kills these nasty bugs, but is also gentle on the house. The fine mist that erupts from the bomb does not leave any stains and does not have a lasting smell. The mist is water-based and penetrates deep cracks to kill hidden bugs.
This package contains six 2 ounce smoke cans and a set of detailed instructions to reduce the risk of improper use and damage to the home. If a smoke machine is triggered, the house must be vacated for at least two hours and the apartment must be ventilated for a further two hours before it can be moved into.
Photo: amazon.com
With each can covering 2,000 cubic feet of space, this Hot Shot insect nebulizer clears the home of bed bugs, lice, fleas, ticks, fire ants, flies and some other pesky insects. The fogger contains an ingredient called nylar, which prevents flea larvae from developing into the biting adult stage and fights an infestation by preventing the repetition of the life cycle. It also inhibits flea reinfection of the area for up to seven months.
If this insect bomb is detonated, household members must leave the area for at least two hours and the house must be ventilated for an additional two hours before family members can return.
Photo: amazon.com
After using this insect nebulizer, no strange or unpleasant smell will be left in your home. Developed by Hot Shot, the dry mist formula infiltrates hard-to-reach crevices in the home to kill insects, including black carpet beetles, brown dog ticks, carpenter ants, fleas, mosquitoes, houseflies, midges, cockroaches, silverfish and water bugs. It even works on spiders, which many smoke machines don’t. However, it doesn’t work on bed bugs.
This smoke machine is effective at 2,000 cubic feet and will work for up to six weeks. Once the bomb is dropped, household members should leave the area for at least two hours, then the apartment must be ventilated for an additional two hours. Since it is a dry fog product, there will be no sticky or wet residue left in the house. When used correctly, it won’t stain your home either.
Photo: amazon.com
This concentrated smoke machine covers 5,000 cubic feet – that’s more than double the average area of other smoke machines. It’s designed to kill ants, cockroaches, and even spiders. This insect nebulizer does not stain, but can leave residues after each use. Wipes are included to remove this residue.
After detonating the insect bomb, the area must be vacated and vacated for at least four hours, and the apartment must be ventilated for at least 30 minutes. While that seems like a long time, the formula still works for up to two months after the bombing.
Photo: amazon.com
Whether the dog is bringing in fleas or an ant invasion, heavy insect infestation can be irritating and difficult to control. With this insect nebulizer from Hot Shot, users can kill large numbers of ants or spiders in just two hours. This nebulizer also kills brown dog ticks, crickets, fleas, mosquitoes, houseflies, mosquitos, cockroaches, silverfish, water bugs and more. However, it doesn’t work on fire ants.
One can of this smoke machine covers up to 2,000 cubic feet. It consists of a clear, non-staining liquid formula that leaves no wet and dirty residue. It is best not to re-enter the apartment until after two hours, and the apartment must be ventilated for another two hours before it can be reoccupied. After the treatment, this nebulizer continues to work for up to two months.
Frequently asked questions about insect nebulizers
To ensure that your home and family are safe while using a chemical heavy product, here are some of the most frequently asked questions and corresponding answers about some of the best insect nebulizers.
Q. Can I use indoor fog machines outdoors and vice versa?
It is not recommended to use outdoor fog machines indoors. This is because the chemicals and formulas used to make outdoor fog machines can be harmful to members of the home and to the house itself. Indoor fog machines can be used outdoors; However, they are likely to be less effective.
Q. Do I need to send children and pets out of the house before I start an insect nebulizer?
Yes! Before using an insect nebulizer, everyone in the house should be evacuated for as long as the product indicates. Most nebulizers recommend leaving the house for two to four hours and then ventilating the house longer.
Q. Will an insect nebulizer cause my fire alarm to go off?
While insect nebulizers are unlikely to set off a fire alarm, it is best to turn these alarms off while using some type of insect bomb.
Q. Are insect nebulizers safe for the environment?
Insect nebulizers, or “bug bombs,” are pesticide-filled products that contain aerosol fuels that are released into the air when used. Using too many nebulizers or improperly using one nebulizer can harm people, animals and the environment. Fog machines also contain flammable ingredients and pose a risk of explosion or fire.
To ensure that your family, pets, and belongings remain safe during the fumigation process, remember:
- Follow the directions on the label.
- Switch off control lights and unplug electrical devices (beforehand).
- Remove toys and any other items your children or pets will use from the area (beforehand).
- Remove food, dishes and plants (beforehand).
- Evacuate the building immediately after planting the “bomb”.
- Stay away from the area for the time indicated on the product label.
- Open windows and doors on return.
For more information on insect nebulizer safety precautions, see the Environmental Protection Agency website at epa.gov.
