Thermal Foggers

Much like a ULV Fogger, a Thermal Fogger is a piece of equipment for dispersing pesticide products in the air as a mist or fog. However, unlike ULV Foggers which use cool, low-pressure air currents to produce fog, thermal foggers use heat to actually vaporize a fogging solution and spray it out of a nozzle in the form of fog. 

The primary benefit of using thermal foggers is that the fog is denser, more visible, and the particles of pesticide are of a smaller size and hang in the air for a longer duration. They also create more fog faster than your average ULV device or fogging machine, making it better suited to covering large outdoor spaces quickly and efficiently. Thermal foggers are often much larger than ULV models and are generally recommended only for outdoor use.

The underlying principle remains the same: fill the reservoir with pesticide product, turn the fogging machine on, and aim the spray nozzle at the area you wish to disperse the product into. If you are unable to find the information you need below, please contact us, we’re here to help.

Our Recommendation

At Solutions Pest & Lawn, the thermal fogger we recommend most for general use is the Curtis Dyna-Fog Golden Eagle 2610 Fogger. Please note, the guide below is tailored to this recommendation, but the general principles discussed apply to most all thermal foggers.

Whenever using thermal foggers, safety equipment is a must. Foggers are designed to treat whole areas of space, not just specific surfaces. They suspend droplets of harmful chemicals in the air which carries them into every corner and crevice. Full skin and eye protection, as well as a full respirator, are required.

See our Protective Equipment page for more on safety equipment and remember to consult the label of whatever pesticide product you are using with your fogging machine for the minimum required protective equipment. With this particular model of thermal fogger, we also recommend ear protection as it can be quite loud.

User Guide

Step 1: Put on Protective Gear

The first thing you should do before working with any hazardous chemicals is put on protective gear. Again, when fogging, full skin, eye, and respiratory protection are recommended. Always remember, all our chemicals have a section on the label detailing the minimum safety requirements for the product. In addition to precautions against damage to the skin, eyes, and respiratory systems, also be aware of potential damage to the ears as well. Our recommended thermal fogger runs loud and some ear protection may be warranted.

Step 2: Fill the Formulation Tank

The next step when using this thermal fogger is to fill the formulation tank with mixed pesticide. Always mix pesticides according to label instructions. Only mix what you expect to use so that there will not be mixed solution left. Many pesticide concentrate labels do not recommend storing mixed product between uses. Once the formulation tank is ready, ensure the formulation valve is completely closed before starting the fogger to ensure there is no accidental discharge.

Please be aware that when the unit is on and running, the formulation tank is kept under pressure. The cap must be airtight for the unit to function and the unit must be left alone for at least 15 seconds after stopping the engine to allow for the pressure in the formulation tank to escape.

Step 3: Fuel and Start the Fogger

Place the fogging machine in an uncongested, well-ventilated work area away from flammable materials. Remove the fuel tank cap and fill the fuel tank with gasoline. Replace the cap and press and hold the ignition switch, listening for the clicking sound of the electronic ignition system firing the spark plug.

Once you’ve ensured the ignition system is functioning, depress and release the primer bulb until fuel is visible in the bulb. Depress and release it 3-5 more times if the engine is cold (hasn’t been operated recently) or only one extra time if you are restarting a hot engine.

Once the unit is primed, simultaneously press and hold the ignition and air switches until the engine begins to start. Once it starts, release the air switch and hold the ignition switch until the engine is running smoothly.

Step 4: Fog

On top of the fogging machine's engine compartment, there is a handle with a small button. This is the formulation ON/OFF button. Below that there is a switch controlling the metering valve which sets the fog quality. To fog, set the metering valve to the desired fog quality and push the formulation ON/OFF button to begin releasing fog. Refer to the user’s manual for proper settings and fogging times, which vary based on your specific application.

Inspection and Maintenance

It is recommended that you inspect your thermal fogger unit before each use. In addition to this quick inspection before use, your unit’s user guide contains detailed maintenance instructions.

Quick Inspection

Before using, fill the fuel tank with gasoline and proceed with normal procedures to start the engine to ensure the unit is operating normally. If no issues arise and no leaks are detected, turn off the engine and allow the unit to sit for 15 seconds to a minute while the pressure in the formulation tank escapes,. Then fill the formulation tank with pesticide and ensure the cap is airtight.

Observe the fogging machine for a moment to ensure there are no leaks from the formulation tank. If there are no leaks, continue with fogging procedures outlined above and detailed in your user guide.

Regular Maintenance

After each use, the formulation system must be flushed by draining the formulation tank, refilling it with one pint of kerosine, no. 2 fuel, or diesel fuel and then fogging out this liquid until it is completely gone. In addition, check the formulation tank and system for residues. If deposits are built up, increase the amount of fluid used to flush the system after each use.

After every four hours of use, the engine tube must be cleaned. The unit includes a cleaning tool for this purpose.

After eight hours of use, the formulation filter must be cleaned with detergent and water. The engine neck should also be removed and thoroughly cleaned after eight hours of use.

After twelve hours of operation, it’s time to check the fuel filter and install a replacement if needed. In addition, the formulation injection nozzle and the formulation injection orifice assembly need to be cleared of any carbon deposits that have built up. The batteries used for the electric starting system must also be checked.

Parts

The Curtis Dyna-Fog 2610 consists of three main parts: the formulation tank, the engine tube, and the engine itself. Each of these breaks down into a multitude of subcomponents. For particular information on these or for a replacement parts guide, please see the user’s manual which is included with your unit.

The Formulation Tank

The formulation tank is where the mixed pesticide product waits for dispersal. It is kept under pressure until the formulation valve is opened and is then forced into the engine tube, mixing into the high velocity pulsating flow of hot gases. This rapidly heats and breaks the formulation into small particles, or vaporizes it, where it is then discharged into the atmosphere out of the engine tube.

The Engine

The engine provides the heat and motion required to create and disperse the fog. In the case of our recommended model, the engine is gas-powered, though on other models it may be electric.

The Engine Tube

The engine tube is essentially an exhaust tube for the engine. The hot gases created by the combustion of fuel are forced into the engine tube creating an extremely hot collection of air and gas. When pesticide is added to this, it vaporizes and is then forced out of the end of the engine tube along with the engine exhaust as fog. Please be aware the engine tube runs hot during operation and can burn and/or be a fire hazard if handled improperly.

Key Takeaways

What are Thermal Foggers?

• Thermal Foggers are fogging machines that are an ideal way to deal with a massive swarm of flying insects in an outdoor context, especially mosquitos.
• The sheer amount of fog that can be generated with a thermal fogger is unrivaled except by much larger, more heavily specialized equipment.

How Does a Thermal Fogger Work?

• Thermal Foggers work by using heat to generate a vapor of fogging solution to disperse into the air to treat for nuisance pests. 
• Regular maintenance is necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the unit. Closely follow all maintenance procedures given in your product’s user manual.