Bonide
Bonide Mosquito Beater Flying Insect Fog
Fogger · EPA-registered pesticide
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Pros
- Knocks bugs down fast to clear an area for an event (40-70%)
- Treats a large area (about 5800 sq ft)
- EPA-registered product
- 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
Ready-to-use fogging fluid from Bonide, not a device, poured undiluted into a propane, gas, or electric outdoor fogger and also usable as a spray. Its active is d-phenothrin, also called sumithrin, at 0.15 percent, paired with a piperonyl butoxide synergist in a petroleum distillate carrier. The virtually odor-free fog penetrates dense foliage to kill mosquitoes, gnats, flies, black flies, and biting midges on contact, then dissipates quickly with little residual. Because there is no lasting barrier, protection ends soon after the treated air clears and insects return from surrounding areas. The safety data sheet classifies it as toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects, and the pyrethroid is toxic to bees, so you should not fog near water or blooming plants. Each use runs about 34 dollars for a 64 ounce bottle of fluid.
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 5800 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 5800 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%66Phenothrin is well-supported by published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 56). Of 4 marketing claims audited: 2 strong, 2 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+10).
Phenothrin is well-supported by published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 56). Of 4 marketing claims audited: 2 strong, 2 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+10).
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
- ~5800 sq ft
- Fewer bites
- 40-70%
Bonide's d-phenothrin fog gives real immediate knockdown, killing mosquitoes, gnats, flies, and biting midges on contact as it penetrates foliage. It leaves little residual, though, so there is no lasting barrier and protection is effectively gone within a day or two as insects move back in from surrounding areas. The band shown reflects that brief window and varies with wind, foliage, and coverage. The fog is toxic to bees and to 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.
- PhenothrinActive
Active insecticide · 0.15%
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Kills mosquitoes, gnats, flies, and biting midges on contact”
EfficacyStrongConsistent with d-phenothrin's contact-kill action on flying insects.
“Virtually odor-free fog that penetrates dense foliage to kill insects where they live and hide”
EfficacyModerateFoliage penetration is real for thermal fog, but where they live and hide overstates reach; the effect is confined to the treated air space.
“Ready to use in propane and electric outdoor foggers, no mixing required”
OtherStrongLabel directs pouring the product undiluted into a thermal fogger.
“Provides hours of mosquito-free enjoyment”
DurationModerateShort-lived; no residual barrier, so protection ends as the treated air clears and mosquitoes return.
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 Phenothrin.
Not veterinary advice. Full guide to repellents around pets →