Fumigator - mosquito killer: types and features of the best insect repellers

What it is?

The name fumigator comes from the term “fumigation”. This is the name for the process of repelling and exterminating with the help of vapors or gases. The device looks like a small box. There is a heating element inside. Its work provokes the evaporation of the active substance into the air.

Using a fumigator is useful for everyone. It is very important not to ignore protection for children and sensitive people. Insect bites don't just cause itching, they can cause severe allergic reactions including swelling, swelling, breathing difficulties and death. In addition, mosquitoes and midges are often carriers of dangerous viral diseases and parasite eggs.

Expert opinion

Borodina Galina Valerievna

In recent years, fumigators for bedbugs have begun to appear on the shelves. According to users, they are not highly effective: they do not at all affect the spread of the species in the room or furniture, and they slightly protect against bites.

In order for the fumigator to be beneficial, it is necessary to correctly select the desired form of the substance and its distributor.

The principle of operation of fumigators

There are different types of mosquito fumigators on sale. They all have the same principle of operation - a working device distributes chemicals in the air to repel and kill insects. Depending on the substances used in electrofumigators, their use either affects the nervous system of insects or affects the respiratory system.

The power of the devices does not depend on how the fumigator works - from the mains, battery or accumulator: any energy source allows you to heat the device to the desired temperature.

In order for a fumigator, for example, Raptor, to protect against mosquitoes, you need to attach a container with liquid to it or insert a plate, and then plug it into an outlet or connect it to another power source.

What are there

According to the principle of heating activation, the fumigator comes in two types:

1. Electric . Connects to the network via an outlet, uses batteries or a rechargeable battery. The main element is a microresistor. It heats up to about 150°C. Bottles with toxic liquid or plates impregnated with a repellent composition are attached to the device;
2. Pyrotechnic . It is a spiral or plate made of wood flour. The solution has already been applied to the canvas. Ignites with fire. Combustion of the material is accompanied by the release of odorous smoke.

Ultrasonic and light. Fumigators occupy a separate category. The name is given for the result. In fact, this is a slightly different device, since the work is not based on vapors or gases. The device turns on from the mains, begins to make a sound or emit light, which has a negative effect on mosquitoes.

Anti-mosquito net – is it necessary?

Anti-mosquito nets can be installed as additional protection against mosquitoes. Some people may suffer from individual intolerance to the active substances in the plates or liquids that are used in combination with the fumigator.

The most common symptoms that indicate an increased level of sensitivity are:

• dizziness,
• Skin irritations,
• Itching on the body
• Headache.

If you notice the presence of at least one of the above-mentioned symptoms in one of the residents of the apartment when you turn on the fumigator, then it is best to turn off the device and choose another method of fighting mosquitoes - one of them is installing an anti-mosquito net on the windows.

Pyrotechnics and their features

The plate or spiral must be disconnected from the set if there are several of them in the package. The device is quite fragile and requires careful handling. Then the fumigator is placed on a fireproof base. This could be a plate made of tempered glass, porcelain, a piece of brick, stone or a metal element. The tip is set on fire with a lighter or match, and the flame is immediately blown out until it smolders. There should be some smoke left. The space should be at least 1 m free on each side of the fumigator.

The spiral can be hung. The main thing is to maintain a distance from people, animals and flammable objects.

This product is best used in open spaces. In outdoor conditions, you can place several pieces at once around the perimeter on the non-windy side.

Indoor use is possible, but not recommended. It is permissible to fumigate a room of up to 20 square meters, provided the windows and doors are open. The duration of smoking is no more than 15 minutes. Be sure to ventilate for half an hour afterward. The person must leave during processing.

Strict precautions are required due to the toxic composition. The main substance is most often allethrin, esbiothrin, and less often pyrethrin. The poison is especially dangerous for insects and fish.

The main advantages of pyrotechnic fumigators:

• Possibility of outdoor use . It can be difficult to turn on an electric device at the dacha, during a fishing trip or a picnic. The spiral will easily work in outdoor conditions. Also suitable for non-glazed loggias, balconies and verandas;
• duration of protection . Burning is smooth and can be kept in an open space for up to several hours;
• efficiency . Blood-sucking animals are very sensitive to allethrin and its brothers, they lose orientation in space, die, and are isolated away from the source. Reduces the need to apply skin repellents;
• low cost . Pyrotechnic spirals are much cheaper than devices and also save energy. One piece can be set on fire several times if it is not used entirely at once.

The disadvantages are also obvious:

• toxicity _ It creates problems for home use, can cause poisoning if safety precautions are not followed, it is undesirable to use it near children and pregnant women;
• incompatibility with fish . It is forbidden to light a spiral in the same room with aquariums and directly on the banks of reservoirs;
• fire hazard.

Conclusion: Suitable for limited situations, mainly during outdoor recreation.

Category leaders

All brands are equally good against midges, mosquitoes, mosquitoes.

How to use Raptor against mosquitoes

Mosquito repellent Raptor is a modern product that has proven itself on the market as an effective fighter against annoying insects. If they are annoying on hot summer nights, then the mosquito repellent is perfect for you. This remedy was invented and first used by the Russian warrant officer Komarov. The fumigator comes in several forms: mosquito repellent liquid, plates and spiral. Next we will talk about its features and operation.

Electrical

First, you need to attach the active substance to the device. The bottle with liquid is screwed into a special groove. In the case of a plate, it is similarly inserted into the hole to the heating element. Only after this can you connect the device to power (socket, battery).

The liquid contains mainly the insecticide DEET. The records are also impregnated with it. The substance paralyzes insects, causing their death from poisoning.

Lighter versions contain a natural insecticide - citronella oil or hormonal chamomile extract. In this case, the product has a slight odor.

Electric fumigators are used mainly in apartments, offices, and houses.

One plate or one bottle is enough for one closed room up to 20 sq.m. A larger area requires an increase in the number of fumigators according to specific figures. So for 60 sq.m you will need 3 devices at once.

In a room less than 15 sq.m., the use of electric fumigators is not recommended due to the creation of a high concentration of poisons in the air.

The advantages of such an insect repeller are as follows:

• long work . Many liquids and plates can last up to 20-30 days on one cartridge. Particularly modern formulations are prolonged even up to 45 days;
• soft action . There is no smoke, no unpleasant odor. Minimum side effects. There are formulations that are safe for children and animals;
• minimum control . It is acceptable to leave it unattended overnight, provided the battery is in good working order;
• availability . Available in almost any grocery and household store;
• fast heating . They start working within a couple of minutes after connecting to power.

There are also disadvantages:

• high price . The fumigators themselves are not cheap, but they are purchased quite rarely, in case of breakdown. However, consumable bottles and plates need to be purchased regularly. Sometimes a considerable amount accumulates over the course of a season. This also includes expenses for electricity or batteries, increased prices for special formulations for allergy sufferers, animals and children. For a large room, expenses will increase another 3-5 times;
• restrictions at places of use . It is difficult to find an outlet in nature. Batteries can run out at the wrong time, and vapors do not spread well in the open air.

The best plates and liquid products for them

As for choosing the fumigator itself, experts advise choosing a universal fork with holes for both liquid and plates. These are presented in the Moskitol and Reid brands. They can rarely be purchased separately, but complete with liquid they are quite common, ranging from 190-270 rubles for the entire box. Afterwards, it will be enough to just buy more filler. Plugs of these brands have a low level of electricity consumption and last longer than others.

With liquid

The specialized liquid used in fumigators to kill and repel mosquitoes is contained in transparent, removable cans. The service life of one can is about 2 months.

Characteristics of the active substance:

1. Completely odorless.
2. Does not have an irritating effect on the respiratory tract of people and animals.

Operating principle

Etok is the main component of the contents of the cans. The insecticide was developed by Japanese scientists. As the device heats up, an insecticidal substance begins to be released from the can in small portions. After just a few minutes, you can see the effectiveness of the fumigator: mosquitoes begin to fly randomly, rise to the ceiling, and then die. Paralysis caused by exposure to ethoc leads to rapid death.

The use of devices with a spray can will help free the room not only from mosquitoes, but also from other harmful insects - fleas, bed bugs, etc. At the same time, it is important to know how to use the fumigator correctly so as not to harm yourself, your family, or your pets.

Application procedure

Fumigators with liquid are very easy to use: the device is plugged into an outlet and left to work until the morning. If there were mosquitoes in the room, after 5-7 minutes you can’t hear their squeaks. After half an hour, all the harmful insects in the room usually die. Even if you leave a window or window open, other mosquitoes will not fly into the room.

According to the instructions, there are some restrictions on the use of fumigators of this type:

1. It is not permissible to use devices to combat insects if there are children under 3 years old in the room.
2. It is prohibited to turn on fumigators in rooms whose area is 5 sq.m. and less.
3. While the device is operating, you need to leave a window or vent open to allow fresh air to enter.
4. If the room is not ventilated at night, you need to use the fumigator 30 minutes before bedtime and then turn it off.

Important ! Very rarely, but there are cases when a person cannot tolerate this. This may manifest itself as dizziness, headache, and weakness. If this has been noticed, it is unacceptable to use the product further.

Liquid

Features of ultrasonic and light

The frequencies of ultrasonic fumigators are so high that the human or animal ear does not perceive them.
Subtle vibrations irritate insects, preventing them from mating productively, reproducing and looking for food. Individuals try to quickly move away from the violator of the usual way of life, and there are fewer bites. Some adult insects do not perceive sound, but react to vibrations. For them, the vibration of the air serves as a signal of danger, which means they need to run.

There are lamps that do not repel, but on the contrary, attract mosquitoes with sound and light. Under the protective grille in such devices there is a current, in which uninvited guests die. It is important to keep such a lamp at a distance so as not to accidentally touch it.

The main advantage is the absence of harmful effects on humans and pets when used correctly.

The main disadvantage is the high price. In addition, there are complaints about the low effectiveness of ultrasonic scarecrows.

Popular models

Device design

A container with the product itself is placed in the middle of the fumigator body. After the device is plugged into the outlet, the active substance begins to heat up and release poison that kills insects. The mosquito repellent is battery operated.

The strength of the effect on insects depends on the duration of exposure to the switched on fumigator.

At a low concentration of the substance, mosquitoes simply fly past the protected premises, but at a higher concentration, the mosquitoes die. The mosquito repellent Raptor contains pyrethroid, which until recently was obtained from chamomile, but has now been synthesized artificially.

This pyrethroid in small doses can repel insects, discouraging them from looking for food. But if a large amount of the drug comes into contact with a mosquito, the mosquito first becomes paralyzed and dies soon after. Mosquito repellent liquid is virtually harmless to humans, but an allergic reaction to the active substance distributed in the air is possible.

In high concentrations, the substance can cause moderate headaches. For this reason, it is highly undesirable to leave the drug on all night. You can turn it on before bed for a couple of hours: this will be enough to provide good protection against insects.

Which type to choose

What fumigator do you use?

PyrotechnicElectric

Each type of fumigator is quite in demand on the market.

Basic advice can be boiled down to several points:

• for natural conditions it is better to take spirals, ultrasonic keychains or compact devices, lamps with light and current;
• for hiking, walking, and active movement, ultrasonic keychains and small battery-powered plate fumigators equipped with a belt clip are suitable (can also be attached to a backpack);
• Electric fumigators with plates and liquids work great indoors. It is better not to tempt the sensitive respiratory organs of allergy sufferers, children and animals with rough compounds. It is preferable to take special versions;
• the presence of a fan in electric fumigators will allow the active substance to be distributed more quickly throughout the room;
• liquids provide a faster effect and less frequent replacement.

Based on these tips, it’s easy to choose a fumigator to suit your own needs and wallet.

Minuses

There are some disadvantages of fumigators, including:

• Short service life, especially this disadvantage is related to the most budget models of unknown production,
• Due to the strong heating of the housing, which is made of plastic, possible melting of the device, there is a risk of fire,
• Autonomous models require regular recharging or changing nutrients,
• Low-quality devices in most cases suggest the smell of burning plastic when heated,
• Scented cartridges are characterized by a strong and irritating aroma,
• Periodic ventilation of the room where the fumigator is used is required.
• Cannot be used in rooms where pregnant, lactating women, small children are located, with the exception of special models and consumables,
• There is a risk of health problems, including an allergic reaction, irritation of the throat, mucous membranes, and sometimes owners experience headaches and fever.

When choosing a device, always pay attention to how well the fumigator body is made; inspection of the quality certificate is also important. Do not forget to pay attention to the level of toxin concentration in the plates/liquids (this parameter cannot exceed 15 percent). If necessary, you can buy a universal device, for example, with a timer.