Cutter
Cutter Backyard Bug Control Outdoor Fogger
Fogger · EPA-registered pesticide
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Pros
- Cheap and grab-and-go: a handheld aerosol that clears a small patch of air, roughly 150 sq ft, right before you sit down.
Cons
- Tiny reach and no residual, so it is a momentary knockdown of one corner, not yard control.
- The two pyrethroids kill bees and other beneficials on contact and are highly toxic to fish.
The full review
Handheld aerosol can from Cutter that you point and spray to fog a small outdoor space, knocking down and killing the flying insects present at that moment rather than repelling them off your skin. Two pyrethroid actives, tetramethrin and d-phenothrin, hit mosquitoes, gnats, flies, wasps, and moths on contact. One can treats roughly 1,200 cubic feet (about a 10 by 15 foot patch of open air), and the effect is brief. There is little residual, so once the mist settles and clears, usually within minutes to about an hour, insects drift back in. Like all foggers it is non-selective and will also kill bees and other beneficial insects it touches, so it works as a short knockdown before an event rather than lasting protection.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%20A fogger knocks down and kills the mosquitoes present when you use it, cutting bites by roughly 40–70% for a short window, over about 150 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 150 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%48Phenothrin is well-supported by published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 56). Of 3 marketing claims audited: 0 strong, 2 moderate, 1 weak, 0 unsupported (-8).
Phenothrin is well-supported by published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 56). Of 3 marketing claims audited: 0 strong, 2 moderate, 1 weak, 0 unsupported (-8).
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
- ~150 sq ft
- Fewer bites
- 40–70%
This aerosol kills flying insects on contact with two pyrethroids, tetramethrin and d-phenothrin, but it leaves almost no residual. It knocks down most of the mosquitoes and flies in the air at the moment you spray, then the cloud settles and clears within minutes to about an hour and insects move back in, so any bite reduction is momentary. The band shown reflects that brief window and varies widely with wind and how much of the area you actually reach. Because it is non-selective it also kills bees and other pollinators and beneficial insects it contacts.
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 · 0.20%
- PhenothrinActive
Active insecticide · 0.20%
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Kills mosquitoes, gnats, flies, wasps and moths on contact”
EfficacyModerateContact kill is real for insects the spray directly reaches at the time of use. It does not keep working after the mist clears.
“One can treats up to 1,200 cubic feet”
OtherModerateA reasonable label measure of how much air one can fogs (about a 10 by 15 foot patch). It describes reach, not duration; the effect is momentary.
“Bug control for backyards, patios and decks”
DurationWeakImplies ongoing yard protection. As a fogger it only knocks down insects present at the moment and leaves little residual, so it does not provide sustained control.
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, Phenothrin.
Not veterinary advice. Full guide to repellents around pets →