Fogging machines most usually uses a mixture solution of Diesel / Kerosene + Chemical.
While, diesel / kerosene is a carrier for chemical and makes visible fog, use of only diesel/ kerosene will only make mosquitoes fly away and not kill them. Use of correct chemical mixed with carrier will kill the mosquitoes and eradicate the mosquito borne diseases.
Think of it like fogging machine as a gun and Diesel mixed with chemical as bullets which kills mosquitoes.
Most used Chemicals for fogging :
1. Deltamethrin (Synthetic Pyrethroid) 1.25% ULV
2. Pyrethrum Extract (Plant Extract ) 2.0% Extract
3. Cyphenothrin ( Synthetic Pyrethroid ) 5% EC
4. Malathion ( Organophosphate ) Technical Malathion
NVBDCP which is the apex national body of Govt of India for vector borne disease control, in its circular no 1840276/2020/NVBDCP recommends these chemicals for indoor and outdoor fogging.
Carrier – Diesel /kerosene or water ?
While mostly in India Diesel/ kerosene is used as base for chemical mixing , water may also be used as carrier in fogging machines ( based on model )
Deisel fog is visible fog and travels very far as droplet size in fog is very small generally 8-20 microns, whereas fogging with water as carrier, produces invisible fog with droplets of 20-60 microns generally.
Water based fogging is used in cases where burning of diesel is unwarranted.
Each carrier has its own merits and demerits which is the topic for another post.
Mixture ratio
Mixing Chemical/ insecticide with diesel/ water and ratio of mixing.
Although , the recommended dosage is provided by the chemical manufacturer in its data sheet, but a generic idea of mixture is as below:
In 1 litre of diesel 10-15 ml of chemical / insecticide
In 1 litre of water 20-30 ml of chemical/ insecticide
This however is just an idea and the actual ratio is always recommended by insecticide manufacturer or certified entomologist.
Happy Fogging !!
| Sr no. | Name of Chemical/ insecticide | Class of insecticide | Commercial formulation |
| 1. | Deltamethrin | Synthetic Pyrethroid | 1.25% ULV |
| 2. | Pyrethrum Extract | Plant Extract | 2.0% Extract |
| 3. | Cyphenothrin | Synthetic Pyrethroid | 5% EC |
| 4. | Malathion | Organophosphate | Technical Malathion |