While foggers, or fogging machines, have long been used in commercial and industrial settings, they have become increasingly available for home and small office use to assist in sanitizing community spaces and offices.
However, foggers and sprayers are useful in a variety of settings for different purposes from sanitizing to pest control. This article will explore some of the questions being asked about the different types of foggers as well as the various chemicals that can be used, and their purposes.
For easier accessibility to specific questions, please use the following list to navigate.
- What are the types of fogging machines?
- How hard is it to use a fogger?
- Can sanitizers be used in a fogging machine?
- Which chemicals can be used with foggers?
- Is fogging harmful to humans?
- What chemical do I use in a mosquito fogger?
- What chemicals can be used in a ULV cold fogger?
- Which fogging machine can be used for infection control?
- Will a fogger set off a smoke alarm?
- Which fogging machine should I use for mold?
- Should items be covered before fogging?
- How long should you stay away from areas after fogging?
- What safety precautions should be used when fogging?
What are the types of fogging machines?
Fogging machines, or foggers, are grouped by how the chemical is dispensed.
- ULV Cold foggers have an internal pump and adjustable nozzles that produce a fine mist to covers surfaces.
- Thermal (hot) foggers have a heated barrel that the chemical passes through before being dispersed as a visible fog. These are most practical for outdoor or farm use in controlling pests.
- Sprayers and Electrostatic sprayers also dispense chemicals in a fine mist, but droplets have a small positive charge added to them during spraying that allows them to seek and cling to surfaces.
For more information on Electrostatic Sprayers, see this article Electrostatic Sprayers: How Do They Work?
How hard is it to use a fogger?
Fogging is not difficult. Basically, you fill the reservoir with the desired chemical (diluted or not), plug in the fogger, and direct the spray or fog where you want it to go. The important thing to remember is to read directions for fogger and chemical use carefully so that you aren’t using a chemical that should not be used in certain fogger types. Take note whether the chemical needs to be diluted or if it’s a ready-to-use (RTU) product.
Be aware of any PPE (personal protective equipment) that is recommended for use with a particular chemical, like gloves, a mask, or protective eyewear.
Can sanitizers be used in a fogging machine?
Yes, sanitizers and disinfectants can be used in ULV cold fogging machines or electrostatic sprayers, but not in thermal or hot foggers. This is mainly due to the fact that, in order to work effectively, disinfectants must be applied wet and allowed to dry over a period of about 10 minutes. Thermal foggers turn chemicals into true fog that can be seen, similar to smoke, and does not coat surfaces.
Which chemicals can be used with foggers?
A variety of chemicals, including insecticides, deodorizers, smoke remediation chemicals, fungicides, as well as disinfectants, can be used in various types of foggers. The type of job you are trying to do, and where it is—inside or outside—will determine the type of chemical and fogger you need to use.
- Disinfectants, fungicides, and some insecticides are used in ULV cold foggers or sprayers.
- Pesticides, some deodorizers, and smoke remediation chemicals are more commonly used in thermal foggers.
To learn more about the differences between thermal and cold foggers and what they’re used for, take a look at Sylvane's Thermal Foggers vs. ULV Cold Foggers Article.
Is fogging harmful to humans?
No. Fogging itself is not harmful to humans or pets, as long as the chemicals used are designated to be safe when used where humans and animals will be present. It is always important to read labels carefully to determine where and how chemicals should be used to ensure safety.
What chemical do I use in a mosquito fogger?
An insecticide/pesticide like this one from Mediclean, is effective for killing mosquitoes and other flying insects in an indoor setting when used with a ULV cold fogger or sprayer. For outdoor mosquito control, a pesticide that can be used in a thermal fogger is the ideal choice. Fog penetrates through underbrush and tall grass, plus it’s easy to see which areas have been treated and those that haven’t.
What chemicals can be used in a ULV cold fogger?
Chemicals used to remove odors, sanitizers and disinfectants, insecticides, mildew and fungicides, can all be used in ULV cold foggers as long as the product label does not prohibit its use in a fogging machine.
Which fogging machine can be used for infection control?
Either an electrostatic sprayer or a ULV cold fogger would be best for infection control in larger spaces, even your home. Both will disperse the disinfectant in a fine mist that will cover surfaces and remain wet for the recommended amount of time for full effectiveness. An e-sprayer (electrostatic) will charge the droplets so that they will cling better and cover more completely without over-spraying and dripping. For more confined spaces, a simple hand sprayer works fine.
Will a fogger set off a smoke alarm?
A thermal fogger could possibly set off a smoke alarm; however, thermal foggers should only be used outdoors or in very large indoor spaces like warehouses, where the likelihood of that happening is rare. A cold fogger or sprayer should not set off a smoke alarm.
Which fogging machine should I use for mold?
Fungicides used to combat mold can be very effectively used in a sprayer on walls and allowed to dry, or in a cold fogger, which will allow the space to be closed off and the fogger to run for an extended period of time. This will ensure saturation of surfaces and into cracks to encapsulate the mold and kill spores at the same time.
Should items be covered before fogging?
This depends on the job being done. If you are disinfecting, then you would not want to cover items unless they cannot be harmed by contact with either the chemical or water. For smoke remediation or odor control using a thermal fogger, you would not want to cover items. As always, the chemical label should be the guide, as well as guidance for specific items like electronics and fabrics.
How long should you stay away from areas after fogging?
Always follow the chemical label directions for fogging. In the case of thermal fogging, it is usually recommended to stay out for a specific length of time or until all fog is dispersed and can no longer be seen. For cold fogging, the chemical usually needs to dry completely before returning to normal use.
What safety precautions should be used when fogging?
It’s a good idea to follow these safety precautions when using chemicals for fogging:
- Check chemical labels to determine if the product is ready-to-use (RTU) or if it needs to be diluted, and what the correct ratio is.
- Check to see if PPE (personal protective equipment) is indicated and follow those recommendations.
- Be sure the chemical can be used in the type of fogger you have, especially if it’s a thermal fogger, since not all chemicals can be used in thermal foggers.
- Be sure the chemical can be safely used in the presence of humans or animals, especially in food prep areas.
- Double-check safe re-entry times before beginning use of the area.
Still Have Questions?
For more information on fogging machines and chemicals, visit our foggers, sprayers, and chemicals page listing the best solutions for these problems. If you aren’t sure what the best choice is for you, give one of our product specialists a call toll-free at 1-800-934-9194 for additional assistance. We’ll be glad to help.
