When it comes to mosquito fogging, traditional foggers are usually set at only one volume to disperse the chemicals into your desired areas. ULV or cold foggers allow you to disperse the chemicals at a much lower, smaller and therefore increased rate of application.
This means is that with a ULV fogger you can reduce the amount of chemical needed to spray against pests and gain the benefit of having much more chemical spread in an area.
Although these products can be expensive, the savings you will incur in the long run are substantial. Not all models are created equally, and in this review and guide you will learn why.
“Low-volume machines have been designed to create small enough droplets that they can reduce the required amount of volume needed to provide excellent coverage.”
The science behind ULV fogging was investigated and created to address the loopholes commonly associated with traditional fogging machines, such as thermal and electric. It is true that traditional foggers will produce great results, likely superior results, but for humid climates, where mosquitoes are relentless, ULV foggers can be a close replica of professional mosquito treatment.Â
Best ULV Foggers Available To Buy
For the benefits of narrowing down your search, we here at City Pests have compiled a listing of the four best ULV foggers on the market:
- Hurricane ES Electric Handheld Cold Fogger Curtis-Dyna Fog
Longray Carryall ULV Fogger
What is a ULV or Cold Fogger?
Before getting into the specifics of these excellent foggers, let's explore ULV fogging a bit more to establish exactly what it is. ULV fogging is a process where a ULV fogger machine atomizes insecticides into tiny, microscopic particles that are amplified in potency and reach by the fogger. ULV fogging can potentially reach and cover your entire yard with just a few quick applications from the ULV sprayer.
ULV foggers are sometimes known as ‘cold foggers' due to these product's ability to utilize a high air pressure at a low density to disperse insecticide into the atmosphere for a long-lasting residual. You can think of ULV foggers as the ultimate weapon in killing and controlling mosquito populations as this type of fogging is usually used by professional pesticide companies regulated by regional ordinances.
How Do They Work?
ULV foggers work by atomizing insecticide into tiny particles that are easily distributed into the atmosphere due to the high pressure of the ULV fogger machine. This low-density type of fogging produces higher kill rates for mosquitoes as well as other pests as it increases the potency of the insecticide.Â
The droplets of a chemical when used through a cold fogger can provide a better application of chemical against mosquitoes if the logistics of your situation is more complex than what a traditional fogger can achieve.
What is ULV Treatment?
ULV treatment is either the professional or residential treatment of mosquito populations through the use of ULV foggers. Although the benefits of just one ULV fogger for a residence are substantial, many pest professionals will treat large areas of a city with ULV foggers that can cover an entire city in a matter of hours.Â
That is perhaps the best benefit you can expect with ULV fogging as the high pressure spreads the chemical evenly and comprehensively, which will give you a mosquito-free yard for days.
Can You Service a ULV Cold Fogger?
Any machine will require maintenance to keep it running efficiently, especially if it produces heated liquid as with a ULV fogger. Each individual ULV fogger will come with a user manual that should lay out the steps required to clean and maintain your fogger. The basic theory behind servicing your ULV fogger will involve cleaning out the chemical from the tank after each use and doing the same for any hoses and internal components.
What is the Difference Between Thermal and ULV?
Thermal fogging is certainly a great option for residential mosquito treatment, but if you want a more comprehensive and longer-lasting residual then ULV fogging with a fogger machine is the way to go.Â
Thermal fogging simply heats a chemical solution into a standard flow of fog, whereas ULV fogging does the same with the added benefit of increasing the internal pressure of the fog to increase the chemical potency as well as the reach of the chemical. ULV fogging gives a better performance with a longer residual.
B&G Flex-A-Lite 2600 Fogger
- Product Type: ULV Electric
- Product Dimensions: 18.1 x 10.9 x 12.9 inches
- Weight: 11.9 pounds
- Manufacturer: B&G
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Review
The B&G Flex-A-Lite is a small, portable ULV fogger that offers a powerful range of mosquito elimination. Due to this product's portability, you can use the attached hose to administer the cold fog under and in between objects to ensure an even speedier mosquito kill rate. This model features a 110-volt power supply which allows you to switch between the very best of ULV fogging or a more concentrated and lighter administration of fog.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Comes with an 18-inch hose for spot treatments
- Two or three-year warranty available
Cons
- Prone to leaks when ULV fogging
- Not available in Alaska, California, or Hawaii
- Expensive
Fogmaster Micro Jet ULV Fogger 7401
- Product Type: ULV Electric
- Product Dimensions: 13.4 x 13.3 x 17.4 inches
- Weight: 11 pounds
- Manufacturer: Fogmaster
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Review
The Micro Jet 7401 by Fogmaster is one of the more comprehensive of ULV foggers as it features a wide array of particle sizes. This comes in handy if you are dealing with a particularly potent mosquito infestation as you can increase the air pressure to full volume to clear the mosquitoes. The Micro Jet 7401 is also versatile when it comes to chemicals as it will accept either water or oil-based chemicals, which is beneficial since many mosquito insecticides are oil-based.
Pros
- Covers up to 4,000 square feet per minute
- Multiple particle size adjustments
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Very expensive
- Not available in Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington, Utah, or New York
- Prone to leaking
Hurricane Electric Handheld Cold Fogger
- Product Type: ULV Electric
- Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 10 x 14 inches
- Weight: 7.5 pounds
- Manufacturer: Curtis Dyna-Fog
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Review
The Hurricane ES by Curtis-Dyna truly lives up to its name as the amount of pressure in the fog it produces is very powerful. This model also features electrostatic technology which sends an electrical charge through each and every droplet of chemical, which increases the already powerful potency of ULV fogging to new heights of mosquito elimination. The Hurricane ES takes ULV foggers to a new level with this added benefit of increased chemical potency, in addition to all of the other benefits available to this type of product.
Pros
- Electrostatic technology
- Portable and Handheld for ease of application
- One-year warranty
Cons
- Doesn't reach as far as other models
- Requires extensive maintenance
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Longray Carryall ULV Fogger
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- Product Type: ULV Electric
- Product Dimensions: 9 x 18 x 14 inches
- Weight: 11.7 pounds
- Manufacturer: Longray
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Review
The Carryall ULV Fogger by Longray is perhaps the most easily accessible and portable of all ULV foggers. In addition to its easy portability, the Carryall ULD Fogger is also one of the most versatile models on the market in terms of the types of liquid that you can use for fogging. If ease and efficiency are the main buying points for you, then the Carryall by Longray is the purchase that will suit your needs the best.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- All commercial insecticides accepted
- One-year warranty
Cons
- Prone to leaking and mechanical failures
- No adjustments available to air pressure
- Not suitable for indoor use
Summary
ULV fogging is as close as you can get to professional mosquito treatment in the DIY field. This superior form of mosquito fogging covers a wider radius with more chemical potency than standard, traditional foggers. If you are seeking to kill a large variety of pests in a short amount of time than the results can seldom get better than utilizing the powerful energy of a ULV fogger.
Resources
- Becker, K. (2008). Fogging for effective pest management. Retrieved from https://gpnmag.com/article/fogging-effective-pest-management/
