Repel
Repel Propane Insect Fogger (Model 190397)
Fogger · Appliance, not itself a registered pesticide; it applies a separately sold EPA-registered fogging insecticide.
Retailer links may earn us a commission. Scores are never affected.
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
Propane-powered thermal fogger from Repel that heats a separately sold fogging insecticide, the Black Flag, Cutter, or Repel branded fluid, into a fine fog that disperses through a yard to kill flying insects on contact. It treats an average 5,000 square foot yard in under ten minutes, and you can use the space again once the fog clears, usually within about five minutes. The kill is immediate but there is little to no lasting residual, so the manufacturer claims relief for up to six hours before the area can be re-invaded from outside. The pyrethroid fluids it runs on are labeled extremely toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates and toxic to bees, so you should not fog blooming plants or spray near water. The device itself is a one-time purchase, but each use consumes separately bought propane and 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%78Permethrin is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 72). Of 3 marketing claims audited: 1 strong, 2 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+6).
Permethrin is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 72). Of 3 marketing claims audited: 1 strong, 2 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+6).
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%
This fogger delivers real immediate knockdown, killing the flying insects present in the yard on contact as the fog passes through. What it does not do is leave a lasting barrier, so the residual is minimal and any protection is effectively gone within a day or two as insects return from surrounding areas. The band shown reflects that short window and swings widely with wind, yard size, and coverage. The pyrethroid 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 and repels mosquitoes and biting flies for up to 6 hours”
DurationModerateKnockdown is real but time-limited; up to 6 hours reflects a temporarily cleared zone, not lasting residual protection.
“Uses the same system professionals use to kill mosquitoes that may carry Zika or West Nile”
OtherModerateThermal fogging is a genuine professional adulticiding method, but EPA required removal of specific disease-vector kill claims from the companion fluid label.
“Treats an average 5,000 sq ft yard in less than 10 minutes”
EfficacyStrongMatches the companion insecticide's labeled 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 →