Cutter
Cutter Propane Insect Fogger
Fogger · EPA-registered pesticide
Pros
- Fogs a 5,000 sq ft yard on propane to knock down 40 to 70% of the mosquitoes present, handy right before guests arrive.
- The 0.15% phenothrin is disclosed and EPA-registered, so you know exactly what you are misting.
Cons
- No residual: the effect fades within an hour or two as mosquitoes move back in from next door.
- It kills pollinators along with the mosquitoes and is highly toxic to fish, so fog away from flowers and water.
The full review
Propane-powered thermal fogger from Cutter that burns a small propane cylinder to vaporize a d-phenothrin fogging insecticide into a dense cloud, killing and knocking down the mosquitoes and flies in a yard in a single pass. A quart of insecticide treats up to about a half acre, and one fogging clears a typical backyard in a few minutes. The knockdown is real but short-lived. There is little lasting residual, so the yard reads as mosquito-clear for a few hours and then bugs move back in from outside the treated area. People and pets can re-enter once the visible fog disperses, usually within about five minutes. As a non-selective contact insecticide it also kills bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects in the fog, so it is an event tool rather than season-long control.
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%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
- ~5000 sq ft
- Fewer bites
- 40–70%
The propane fog kills and knocks down mosquitoes and biting flies on contact across a yard, but d-phenothrin leaves little lasting residual outdoors. A fogged yard reads as mosquito-clear for roughly a few hours, then insects drift back in from untreated areas nearby, so protection is temporary rather than sustained. The band shown is a rough estimate for that short window and swings with wind, yard size, and coverage. The fog is non-selective and also kills bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects it reaches, and entomologists and Consumer Reports caution against relying on foggers for ongoing mosquito control.
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 and repels mosquitoes and biting flies for up to 6 hours”
DurationWeakContact kill is real, but the up-to-6-hours repellency is a best case. Outdoor residual is weak and the cleared zone refills as insects return, so realized protection is usually shorter and variable.
“One quart treats up to a half acre; fog your yard in minutes”
EfficacyModerateArea knockdown in a single pass is genuine for insects the fog reaches, though it is momentary and depends on wind and coverage.
“People and pets can re-enter within about 5 minutes once the fog clears”
SafetyModerateRe-entry guidance is per the label. It is still an EPA-registered pesticide, so keep it off people, food, and pollinators during use.
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 →