Black Flag
Black Flag Electric Insect Fogger (Model 190107)
Fogger · Appliance, not itself a registered pesticide; it applies a separately sold EPA-registered fogging insecticide.
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Pros
- Knocks bugs down fast to clear an area for an event (40-70%)
- Treats a large area (about 5000 sq ft)
- Strong published evidence behind Permethrin
- Active ingredient concentration disclosed
Cons
- Kills on contact but wears off within minutes to a few hours, with little residual, so it is not lasting protection
- Non-selective: it also kills bees and other beneficial insects
- Highly toxic to fish and aquatic life, so keep it well away from water
The full review
Corded electric thermal fogger from Black Flag, a 110-volt unit that heats a separately sold Fountainhead fogging insecticide into a dense fog to kill mosquitoes, flies, and other flying insects on contact. Unlike a propane model it is tethered to an outlet rather than being freely portable around the yard. The companion fluid is a pyrethroid formula, tetramethrin plus permethrin with a piperonyl butoxide synergist, giving quick knockdown and only limited residual. It treats an average 5,000 square foot yard in about ten minutes, and you should not enter the treated area until the fog dissipates. The fogging fluid is labeled extremely toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates and toxic to bees, so keep it away from water and pollinators. The device is bought once, but each use consumes separately purchased fogging insecticide.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%41A fogger knocks down and kills the mosquitoes present when you use it, cutting bites by roughly 40-70% for a short window, over about 5000 sq ft. It works by killing on contact, not repelling, and has little residual, so the effect fades within minutes to a few hours as new mosquitoes move back in. Scored on that reduction and treated area, then tempered because it clears a space for an event rather than providing lasting protection (lower confidence).
A fogger knocks down and kills the mosquitoes present when you use it, cutting bites by roughly 40-70% for a short window, over about 5000 sq ft. It works by killing on contact, not repelling, and has little residual, so the effect fades within minutes to a few hours as new mosquitoes move back in. Scored on that reduction and treated area, then tempered because it clears a space for an event rather than providing lasting protection (lower confidence).
Evidence & honest claims25%73Permethrin is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 72). Of 4 marketing claims audited: 2 strong, 1 moderate, 0 weak, 1 unsupported (+1).
Permethrin is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 72). Of 4 marketing claims audited: 2 strong, 1 moderate, 0 weak, 1 unsupported (+1).
Safety15%60This is an area treatment, not applied to skin, so dermal risk does not apply. Scored on moderate inhalation risk from the fog (−18); high toxicity to fish and aquatic life (−22). It kills insects non-selectively, so it also harms bees and other pollinators. Fog outdoors only, away from people and flowering plants, keep cats away. Keep it well away from ponds, aquariums, and water features.
This is an area treatment, not applied to skin, so dermal risk does not apply. Scored on moderate inhalation risk from the fog (−18); high toxicity to fish and aquatic life (−22). It kills insects non-selectively, so it also harms bees and other pollinators. Fog outdoors only, away from people and flowering plants, keep cats away. Keep it well away from ponds, aquariums, and water features.
Transparency15%85This product names its active ingredient (+30); discloses the strength of every active (+35); publishes a concrete coverage figure (+20).
This product names its active ingredient (+30); discloses the strength of every active (+35); publishes a concrete coverage figure (+20).
Every pillar is scored from published rules. Read how we score.
Coverage & effectiveness
This is a fogger: it kills the mosquitoes present when you use it across a treated area, then wears off within minutes to a few hours as new mosquitoes return. It clears a space for an event rather than providing lasting protection.
Mosquitoes
EstimatedModerate- Treated area
- ~5000 sq ft
- Fewer bites
- 40-70%
The electric fogger delivers real immediate knockdown, killing the flying insects present in the yard on contact as the pyrethroid fog passes through. Residual is limited, so there is no lasting barrier and protection is effectively gone within a day or two as insects return from nearby areas. The band shown reflects that short window and varies with wind, yard size, and coverage. The fog is non-selective and toxic to bees and aquatic life, so it harms pollinators and should be kept away from water and blooming plants.
Ingredient disclosure
This product names its active ingredient (+30); discloses the strength of every active (+35); publishes a concrete coverage figure (+20).
Only active ingredients are disclosed. The full ingredient list (inerts/carriers) is not published, so this may not be the complete formula.
- TetramethrinActive
Active insecticide · 0.10%
- PermethrinActive
Active insecticide · 0.25%
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Kills on contact with high knockdown”
EfficacyStrongContact knockdown is the core, well-established function of pyrethroid thermal fogs.
“Provides quick killing action and residual control”
DurationModerateKnockdown is quick; residual control is weak for a space fog and EPA required removal of the stronger complete-protection claim in 2009.
“Kills mosquitoes that may carry West Nile virus”
EfficacyUnsupportedEPA's 2009 label review directed removal of specific disease-vector kill claims unless supporting data is cited.
“Fog your yard in minutes”
EfficacyStrongMatches the labeled 5,000 sq ft in about 10 minutes application rate.
Safe around dogs & cats?
Worst case from this product’s active ingredients. Do not apply this or any human repellent to your pet.
Mainly from Tetramethrin.
Not veterinary advice. Full guide to repellents around pets →