Best Flea Foggers & Bombs for Your Home, Workplace & Workshop

Updated on by Jared Belson | Please note that there may be affiliate links on this page.

Not too many fleas have to catch a ride on your dog’s coat or on your shoes before you find yourself with a full-blown infestation on your hands. Whenever scrubbing with salt and baking soda or spraying with borax stops working, you need to start looking for the best flea foggers/bombs to treat the infected areas.

My top recommendations are for water-based foggers, and you’ll see why in the paragraphs below. You’ll also notice that there are many types of foggers, each with its own unique blend of ingredients, dispersal rate, and area of coverage. The purpose of this article is to help you sort out the craziness and separate the best from the rest.

8 Best Flea Foggers & Bombs - Most Effective Solutions

The Hot Shot Fogger6 is one of the best flea foggers/bombs you can use get rid of your pest problems. You can get it in packs of two, six, or in a single pack containing three foggers. What’s great about this formula is the fact that it’s odorless. It is toxic and capable of killing fleas on contact, but it won’t stink up your home for days.

When you use the fogger, it disperses a very fine mist which can quickly spread to every hidden crack in the wall, get under the bedding, settle in the spaces between your floor tiles, and so on. The formula contains Tetramethrin and Cypermethrin as the main active ingredients, both known for their killing efficiency.

I also like that the formula doesn’t stain, which means that you won’t have to completely empty a room before applying the fogger. Each fogger should be enough to treat 2,000 cubic feet, roughly the size of an average room in an average household.

Once it’s safe to enter the room again, usually after 24 hours, the fogger will still be active. It will keep on killing stray fleas for up to two months, even if you keep your windows open.

  • Long-lasting effect
  • Kills on contact
  • Odorless and non-staining
  • Fine mist and little residue
  • May not be very effective in rooms with tall ceilings

The Precor Plus Fogger is not the most versatile flea bomb out there, but it gets the job done. Unlike other foggers, this one has a composition specifically formulated to deal with both adult fleas and flea eggs. It also has a long-lasting effect which will continue to kill fleas on contact for up to seven months.

This means that you may be able get rid of your infestation in one go, as opposed to using two sets of flea bombs, on two separate occasions. Each can hold about 3oz of Precor’s formula and, given the dispersal power and the efficiency of the ingredients, should be enough for a single 3,000 cubic feet room.

You’ll notice that the two main active ingredients are (S)-Methoprene and Permethrin. These are among the most popular active ingredients in flea bombs because they target both adults and eggs. Since the cans can disperse the mist with considerable power, you’ll be able to use this product in rooms with tall ceilings too.

  • 3oz sprayers in one pack
  • Kills adults and eggs on contact
  • For rooms up to 3,000 cubic feet
  • Lasts for up to 7 months
  • Powerful odor

The main reason I’m recommending this fogger is because it’s formulated to be less harmful to pets. You’ll have to worry less about the post-treatment cleanup than you would with other products and this alone can be a very good reason to choose it.

As a household fogger, the Bayer Animal Health Advantage works not just on fleas but also ticks. Sure, a tick infestation is highly unlikely, but it can be pretty dangerous if you can’t locate it. The Advantage fogger can disperse a very fine mist that will reach every crack and crevice in a 16’ x 16’ x 8’ room.

That’s quite impressive, given that each of the three cans included in a pack holds just 2oz of the formula. Of course, you can also get this formula in 16oz and 32oz containers, but those are intended for industrial and commercial purposes.

Another interesting thing about the Bayer Advantage formula is that it uses five active ingredients instead of just one or two. This helps it target fleas at all growth stages and ticks with equal efficiency. There is however one minor drawback, and that’s little residual control.

  • Safer for homes with pets
  • Five active ingredients
  • Slow-release fogger
  • Superior area coverage
  • Doesn’t last as long as other formulas

The Durvet No-Bite Indoor Fogger is slightly pricier than other flea bombs, but it’s extremely potent. It uses a combination of three highly efficient flea killers - Tetramethrin, Permethrin, and Piperonyl Butoxide - in order to attack fleas at all growth stages.

It also features a water-based formula which ensures two important things. Number one, the residue won’t be oily and stain or linger too much on your furniture. Secondly, the mist will be very fine and able to reach further out from the center of the room, and into every tiny crack, crevice, or other concealed place.

Another benefit of the Durvet Fogger is that it won’t stink up the place. You’ll still need to leave some windows open after you’re done with it, but not nearly as long as with some other products.

You should also know that even though this fogger is somewhat expensive, it’s just expensive as an initial investment. A can of the Durvet fogger contains 6oz of the three-active ingredient formula and will take care of a room of up to 6,000 cubic feet.

While small home owners may find this overkill, if you live in a duplex or a large house with spacious rooms, you may benefit greatly from the Durvet Fogger. Its reach is right up there with the best residential and some commercial foggers too.

  • Odorless and non-staining
  • One can is enough for 6,000 cubic feet
  • 3 active ingredients
  • Water-based formula
  • Doesn’t handle tall ceiling rooms well

The Vet-Kem Siphotrol Plus fogger is probably one of the best flea bombs that can kill all fleas and also break their life cycle, without making a mess. The formula contains an insect growth regulator which renders flea eggs infertile, thus eliminating the risk of a new infestation.

A can of Vet-Kem fogger can treat up to 3,000 cubic feet with 3oz of formula. This gives it good value since there’s little chance you’ll need to repeat the process with another can. I also like my foggers without odor, when possible, and this one fits the bill.

This is a water-based formula, which makes it even better since it won’t make the surfaces it lands on sticky. Another reason why I like the Vet-Kem Siphotrol Plus is the mist dispersal speed. Let’s just say that you should get out of the room as soon as you activate the fogger.

  • Fast dispersal rate
  • Insect growth regulator
  • Water-based formula
  • 3oz is enough for 3,000 cubic feet
  • No residual control

The Kinzua Punch Bug Bomb is accurately named. This fogger packs a heavyweight punch and it can deal with flea, roach, ant, and housefly infestations. Its dispersal rate is impressive and the mist is thin enough to enter any crack and crevice in a room.

If you have a lot of heavy furniture and carpets that you can’t remove from a room before fogging, this formula might suit you well. Consider the following – it doesn’t stain, it doesn’t have a powerful odor, it doesn’t leave any sticky residue. The trifecta of flea bomb attributes.

The formula has three active ingredients, one of which is an insect growth regulator that helps eliminate the risk of post-treatment infestation. Finally, you should know that it takes only around two hours for the fogger to kill off all adult fleas. This means that you can use it any time of the day, unlike some foggers that might force you to go to a hotel overnight.

  • Inert fallout
  • No smelly or staining ingredients
  • Water-based formula
  • Contains insect growth regulator
  • Slightly expensive for a single 6oz can

The Zoecon Precor 2000 Plus comes in a large 16oz spray can. In terms of coverage, it’s rated for 2,000 square feet. Its efficiency comes from the unique combination of five active ingredients – four insecticides and a Precor insect growth regulator that renders the eggs infertile.

You may be asking yourself, what makes this mix superior? For one, its residual control effect lasts for up to seven months. Secondly, it has one of the finest mists you’ll see. This is very important for two reasons: reaching all the tight spaces, cracks, and crevices, and reaching further out into the room from the point of origin.

The residue of the mist will remain in the carpets and upholstery. This is where the insect growth regulator can work its magic. You might also be pleased to know that this mist won’t stain your carpets or leave them sticky. After all, the formula is water-based.

Finally, I should also point out that this is not a set-it-and-forget-it flea bomb. You’ll have to spray the infested rooms manually. But, given the powerful dispersal system, it won’t take a lot of time.

  • Prevents infestations up to 7 months
  • Large capacity fogger
  • Water-based formula
  • Can be used on carpets, upholstery, and wood
  • Manual sprayer

Here’s a manual pest control spray that you may be interested in. Vet-Kem formulas are known for their efficiency and reliability and the Vet-Kem Siphotrol Plus II Premise Pest Control Spray is no exception. It kills fleas and disrupt their life cycle.

The Vet-Kem Siphotrol Plus II comes in a 16oz spray can. It can effectively treat areas of up to 2,000 cubic feet, and it doesn’t cost too much either. As a spot treatment, you can use it without having to leave the room, or worse, the house overnight.

The formula acts quickly and kills adult fleas in around two hours after application. The insect growth regulator will also provide some protection for a few months after the application, thanks to the ingredients that settle in the carpeting, bedding, and upholstery.

You should also know that this formula will work against ticks, roaches, and ants too. However, it may not provide the same residual control for other pests as it does for fleas. Still, the fact that it doesn’t stain and that the odor is not long-lasting makes it a handy pest control option.

  • Long-lasting residual control
  • Effective pest killer
  • Contains an insect growth regulator
  • Doesn’t stain
  • You have to manually apply it in infested rooms

What Exactly Are Flea Foggers?

A lot of people get confused by the terms flea fogger and flea bomb and think that they mean different things. Actually, they’re interchangeable terms that refer to any type of insecticide that’s used against flea infestations and is automatically released at a consistent rate from an aerosolized can.

One of the reasons these concoctions are called foggers is because the cans release a mist, or toxic fog, into the air. Some of the ingredients in flea foggers don’t evaporate quickly but instead rest at the base of your carpeting and upholstery and provide residual control over a certain period of time, preventing further infestations while they’re active.

Some flea foggers will release all of the formula at once, quickly creating a toxic environment for pests. Others release the fog slowly, over a period of minutes or hours, depending on the dispersal rate and the size of the can.

How Much Do Insect Growth Regulator Compounds Matter?

Not a lot. But again, this all depends on how serious your flea infestation is. Even the best flea foggers may sometimes leave a few strays behind. The addition of an insect growth regulator will help a formula render eggs infertile.

When this happens, any strays that weren’t killed by the initial “blast” won’t be able to start a new colony with the fleas that hatch from the remaining eggs.

Of course, you may not need this type of formula every time. But I do recommend it if the infestation has spread to more than one room.

Cubic Feet Coverage

As you’ve probably noticed by now, most flea foggers and bombs are rated for coverage in cubic feet. Unlike other pesticides that are compared in their areas of efficiency in square feet, flea bombs also factor in height. That’s why the use of the room’s volume when describing the coverage.

But, you shouldn’t always get hung up on this detail. In some cases, it will be important but in others it may be misleading. The main reason behind this is that not every fogger has a powerful dispersal mechanism. Without enough pressure to release and spread the formula far from the center of the room, you may not be able to get rid of all the fleas.

That’s why it’s important to also check the recommended room dimensions too, when available. If you do that, you’ll notice that very few foggers can handle rooms with ceilings taller than 8’. But there may be foggers in the same price range that can handle wider or longer rooms, within the same cubic feet coverage rating.

You should also note that this specification never factors in any obstructions like furniture, plants, decorations, wall separators, etc.

Quality of Life Features

When I’m in need of a flea fogger, I don’t just look at the pricing, volume, and the list of ingredients. I also look at the quality of life features, which I happen to find very important. They can make the difference between prepping a room for fogging in half a day or in a few minutes.

All flea foggers can be used on any type of surface and fabric because they won’t stain. They also all have water-based formulas because the dispersal pattern is superior in water-based flea foggers. Furthermore, I can’t stress enough how annoying it can be to have sticky residue leftovers after treating a room.

In some cases, it can take hours to get rid of it. Water-based formulas almost never have this issue. That said, some of them can stain, depending on their inert ingredients.

No More Bites on You or Your Pets

Now that you have the knowledge necessary to pick out a good flea fogger, it’s time to act. Flea infestations only get worse in time. If you’re dealing with a massive infestation or a multiple room infestation, then I recommend going for one of the fogger packs.

If your situation is not that dire, then I would recommend taking the more direct approach and picking one of the manual foggers. They’ll help you minimize product waste without sacrificing efficiency. Act fast, fog the room, and go out for a nice dinner or a walk in the park while you wait for the flea bomb to work its magic.

2 thoughts on “Best Flea Foggers & Bombs for Your Home, Workplace & Workshop”

  1. Are these safe for cats walking on hardwood floor after fogging? Since they bathe themselves a lot would like to know if residue on floors , furniture is safe for cats.

    Reply
    • Hi Theresa, the short answer is no. They’re not totally safe as they contain insecticides which aren’t harmless towards pets. This is applicable for most of the flea foggers, at least. Except any which might’ve been specifically made to be pet-safe.

      Reply

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