Gen 1.3 Concentrate Archives - TechSelfHelp https://help.mistaway.com/tag/gen-1-3-concentrate/ MistAway TechSelfHelp Wed, 13 May 2026 17:37:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.4 https://help.mistaway.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/cropped-MistAway-Help-Logo-32x32.png Gen 1.3 Concentrate Archives - TechSelfHelp https://help.mistaway.com/tag/gen-1-3-concentrate/ 32 32 Understanding mosquito misting formulations https://help.mistaway.com/understanding-mosquito-misting-formulations/ Mon, 05 Nov 2018 16:57:04 +0000 https://help.mistaway.com/?post_type=techselfhelparticles&p=2191 The universe of formulations that are suitable for use in misting systems is small, and they fall into two categories – “Conventional” formulations which must be registered with the U.S. EPA because of the ingredients they contain, and “Green” formulations which do not have to be registered with the EPA. The formulations most commonly used […]

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]]> The universe of formulations that are suitable for use in misting systems is small, and they fall into two categories – “Conventional” formulations which must be registered with the U.S. EPA because of the ingredients they contain, and “Green” formulations which do not have to be registered with the EPA.

The formulations most commonly used in misting systems are “Conventional”:

  • The active ingredients are either natural pyrethrins or permethrin, which is a closely related synthetic.  They also contain a synergist, piperonyl butoxide, which makes them more effective than they would otherwise be.
  • These formulations are known as “adulticides” and are very effective in misting systems.  They work by killing adult flying insects on contact – in the air or in landscaping where they harbor.
  • In order to use a conventional formulation in an automated misting system, it must contain directions for misting on its label.  There are only a handful of formulations that contain that language.  Insecticides that state “Not for use in outdoor residential misting systems” may not be used under any circumstances.
  • These formulations have been designed for misting and are suitable in MistAway’s systems because 1) they are water-based and contain only trace amounts of hydrocarbons, 2) they have been engineered to disperse evenly throughout the batch tank or drum when diluted with water, and 3) they have been formulated to avoid or minimize plant burn.

There is increasing interest and use of “Green” formulations in misting systems:

  • Generally, the ingredients found in these formulations are essential oils from plants, like geraniol, lemongrass oil and wintergreen oil.  There are also green formulations that contain sodium lauryl sulfate as their primary ingredient.
  • We have received mixed reviews on the effectiveness of green formulations used in misting systems, and it is unclear whether they work by killing insects – as the conventional adulticides do – they act as a repellant.
  • Be aware that the formulations from essential oils tend to be very chemically aggressive to plastics.  This means the dilute mist containing these oils has the potential to damage plastic surfaces that it contacts, like lawn furniture and clear coat on a fiberglass boat.  Their use also significantly increases the potential for failure of the components in the misting system.  This is particularly true in the Gen 3 tankless unit, which handles the formulation in its concentrated form.
  • The formulations containing sodium lauryl sulfate are not as chemically aggressive as the essential oil formulations.

See these related links:

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]]> What concentrate should I use and where can I buy it? https://help.mistaway.com/selecting-and-purchasing-a-concentrate/ Fri, 02 Nov 2018 16:45:03 +0000 https://help.mistaway.com/?post_type=techselfhelparticles&p=2189 To decide what to use in your misting system, you have to make a decision or two: Decision 1:  Do you want to use a “conventional” formulation or a “green” formulation?  “Conventional” formulations: “Conventional” means that the U.S. EPA requires them to be registered because of the active ingredients they contain – either natural pyrethrins, […]

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]]> To decide what to use in your misting system, you have to make a decision or two:

Decision 1:  Do you want to use a “conventional” formulation or a “green” formulation?

 “Conventional” formulations:

  • “Conventional” means that the U.S. EPA requires them to be registered because of the active ingredients they contain – either natural pyrethrins, synthetic permethrin and PBO (piperonyl butoxide)
  • The products are “adulticides”, meaning they kill adult insects on contact
  • Most misting systems use a conventional formulation and they are generally more effective than green formulations

“Green” formulations:

  • The EPA does not require their registration (though most of them are registered) because their ingredients are natural and considered to be “safe.”
  • In misting systems, green formulations are generally not as effective as conventional formulations.

See these related links:

 

Decision 2:  If you picked “conventional” formulation, do you want a concentrate containing natural pyrethrins or synthetic permethrin?

Natural Pyrethrins Concentrate:

  • They aren’t natural or organic.  While they are derived from flowers, they are highly refined and the formulations contain another chemical called PBO that is synthetic.
  • Pyrethrins chemically break down very quickly in the presence of sunlight and leave no residue.  In misting, it takes less than an hour, so there is no buildup through the continued use of the system.
  • They are about twice as expensive as formulations containing permethrin and our research indicates they are no more effective.
  • There is a phenomenon known as selective resistance, where populations of insects evolve to be increasingly unaffected by a pesticide if it is used too often.  Because of their relatively higher cost, natural pyrethrins are not frequently used by county mosquito control districts, while permethrin is.  As a result, mosquito populations are less likely to be resistant to natural pyrethrins than to permethrin.
  • Riptide is the most popular concentrate containing natural pyrethrins.  To find a source, just type “Riptide Misting Concentrate” into your favorite search engine.

Synthetic Permethrin Concentrate:

  • They are chemically closely related to natural pyrethrins and are synthesized in a chemical plant.
  • Like natural pyrethrins, permethrin also breaks down quickly in the environment – about 4 hours – when exposed to UV light.
  • Permethrin formulations are generally about half the cost of natural py formulations.
  • Sector is most popular concentrate containing permethrin.  Type “Sector Misting Concentrate” into a search engine.

If you decided to use a “green” formulation, select either Zero Bite or Naprovit Pro Plus.  Type either name into a search engine to find a source.

Click either of the following links for more information about these products as well as a list of concentrates approved for use in a Gen 1.3 Drum Unit or Gen 3 Tankless Unit.

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]]> Active Ingredients Safety Fact Sheets https://help.mistaway.com/active-ingredients-safety-fact-sheets/ Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 https://help.mistaway.com/active-ingredients-safety-fact-sheets/ Pyrethrins (botanical), Permethrin (synthetic) and Piperonyl Butoxide (PBO) are the most common active ingredients found in mosquito misting formulations. Click on the links below to download National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) fact sheets that answer questions about the effects of exposure to adults and children, links to cancer, and impact on the environment and wildlife. Pyrethrins Permethrin […]

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]]> Pyrethrins (botanical), Permethrin (synthetic) and Piperonyl Butoxide (PBO) are the most common active ingredients found in mosquito misting formulations.

Click on the links below to download National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) fact sheets that answer questions about the effects of exposure to adults and children, links to cancer, and impact on the environment and wildlife.

Pyrethrins

Permethrin

Piperonyl Butoxide

 

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]]> Gen 1.3: Approved Insecticides https://help.mistaway.com/gen-1-3-approved-insecticides/ Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 https://help.mistaway.com/gen-1-3-approved-insecticides/ * Please Note: Using any non-MistAway approved concentrate with a Gen 1.3 Drum System will void the manufacturer’s warranty. Click on links for labels, MSDS and misting-specific language. Conventional Formulations in Gen 1.3 systems – with Label Recommended Rates Sector – Synthetic Permethrin (10%), PBO (10%) RECOMMENDED Dilute 1oz concentrate with 109 oz water to yield […]

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* Please Note: Using any non-MistAway approved concentrate with a Gen 1.3 Drum System will void the manufacturer’s warranty.

Click on links for labels, MSDS and misting-specific language.

Conventional Formulations in Gen 1.3 systems – with Label Recommended Rates

Exempt (Green) Formulations in Gen 1.3 systems – with Label Recommended Rates

  • Stop the Bites! – Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (1%), Lemongrass Oil (5%), Geraniol (4.5%), Castor Oil (6%), Cedarwood Oil (3%), Corn Oil (0.5%)
  • Naprovit Pro Plus – Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (8%), Soybean Oil (2%), Corn Oil (1%)
  • Zero Bite – Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (3.84%), Geraniol (1%), Clove Oil (0.5%), Peppermint Oil (0.25%)
    • APPROVED
    • Dilute 1oz concentrate with 54 oz water to yield 0.23% combined active ingredients in mist
    • 55 Gal:  128 oz
    • 125 Gal:  291 oz
    • Manufacturer: Pyranha
    • Label, MSDS
  • Essentria IC-3 – Rosemary Oil (10%), Geraniol (5%), Peppermint Oil (2%)
    • NOT APPROVED
    • incompatible with check valves in nozzles, does not stay mixed in drum
    • Manufacturer:  Zoecon
    • Label, MSDS
  • Eco Via EC – Thyme Oil (20%), 2-Phenethyl Propionate (14%), Rosemary Oil (8%)

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]]> Insecticide FAQs https://help.mistaway.com/insecticide-faqs/ Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 https://help.mistaway.com/insecticide-faqs/ Is the mist safe for my family and pets? Have you ever heard the expression “the danger is in the dose?”  It basically means that any material can be harmful if someone is exposed to enough of it.  Obviously, for humans, “enough of it” is different for water than for cyanide. Since it depends on […]

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]]> Is the mist safe for my family and pets?

Have you ever heard the expression “the danger is in the dose?”  It basically means that any material can be harmful if someone is exposed to enough of it.  Obviously, for humans, “enough of it” is different for water than for cyanide.

Since it depends on the dose, we can’t categorically state that pyrethrins or permethrin are safe in a misting systems, here is what we know and can say:

  • You’ll find them in a wide range of products around your home – in pet shampoos, flea sprays and household aerosols.
  • Pyrethrins and permethrin are among the least poisonous insecticides to mammals because they are readily broken down into inactive products and pass from the body.
  • In misting, the typical field concentration is very low – usually around 5 – 10  parts pyrethrin or permethrin per 10,000 parts mist.
  • In 2007, the US Environmental Protection Agency wrote on their webpage about misting, that they do not expect risks of concerns to humans when the formulations are used according to their label.

Having said all that, you need to be careful when using pyrethrins in misting systems.  People and pets should avoid the mist.  And, cycles should be programmed so that the units don’t mist while people are likely to be exposed.

For more information, see these Active Ingredients Safety Fact Sheets

 

For which pests is the system effective?  

Natural pyrethrins and pyrethroids are considered to be “broad spectrum” insecticides, meaning they are poisonous to a wide variety of insects.  However, in misting systems, they are usually dosed with very low concentrations of active ingredients.  This low concentration means that the mist is really only effective when it is in the air and comes into direct contact with smaller insects – mosquitoes, gnats, no see ‘ems, houseflies and spiders and wasps.  And while the mist may annoy larger insects – like horseflies – or insects with hard shells – like ticks or roaches – it doesn’t pack enough punch to kill them.

 

How does it affect bees and butterflies?

Pyrethrins and permethrin are poisonous and potentially harmful to “beneficial insects” like bees and butterflies.  However, this usually does not present an issue since the units are typically programmed to mist around dusk and dawn and not in the middle of the day when the beneficials are present and active.

 

Can I use it on my boat dock?

If you want to use a “conventional” formulation containing natural pyrethrins or permethrin, you probably can’t.  These active ingredients are highly poisonous to fish and other aquatic invertebrates like frogs and lizards.  And even though the concentrations of the active ingredients as they are dosed in a misting system will probably not harm fish, you’ll see language on the formulation labels that restricts their use around bodies of water – streams, rivers, ponds, lakes.  To comply with the law, you must follow the label instructions explicitly.

You may be able to use a “green” formulation around your dock.  To learn more about both conventional and green formulations, read Understanding mosquito misting formulations.

 

Will the mist kill my koi?

While pyrethrins and permethrin are highly toxic to fish, the concentrations of these ingredients in the mist is very small.  A little mist from a nearby nozzle that might drift over and settle in the pond is dramatically further diluted by the water in the pond.  Our recommendation is to avoid placing a nozzle within about 10 feet of a koi pond and to point them in a direction away from the pond.  

 

Is it safe to use around my vegetable garden or fruit trees?

Both pyrethrins and permethrin have the appropriate tolerance for direct application on fruits and vegetables, and you’ll see food handling and processing applications listed on the label.  Our recommendation is to not spray directly on the garden or fruit tree – since the intent is to control mosquitoes and not plant pests – and to always wash the food prior to consuming.

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]]> Efficacy Studies of Misting and Misting Formulations https://help.mistaway.com/efficacy-studies-of-misting-and-misting-formulations/ Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 https://help.mistaway.com/efficacy-studies-of-misting-and-misting-formulations/ Click on the links below to download pdf files of selected studies related to automatic misting and misting formulations. Characterizing the Relative Effects of Misting Formulations on Culex pipiens Using a Potter Precision Spray Tower MistAway Systems working document, 2013 Entomologists – Gerdeman, Tanigoshi Washington State University – Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center Evaluation of […]

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]]> Click on the links below to download pdf files of selected studies related to automatic misting and misting formulations.

Characterizing the Relative Effects of Misting Formulations on Culex pipiens Using a Potter Precision Spray Tower
MistAway Systems working document, 2013
Entomologists – Gerdeman, Tanigoshi
Washington State University – Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center

Evaluation of a Portable Backyard Mosquito Mister Against Culex Pipiens and Aedes albopictus in Israel
Revay, Qualls, Rui-de Xue, Muller
Various Israeli Institutions
Technical Bulletin of the Florida Mosquito Control Association, 2013

Efficacy of Several Commercially Formulated Essential Oils Against Caged Female Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus when Operationally Applied via an Automatic-Timed Insecticide  Application System
James E. Cilek, Florida A&M University
Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, 2011

Misting Matters
James E. Cilek, Florida A&M University
Pest Control Technology Magazine, 2009

Evaluation of Automatic-Timed Insecticide Application System for Backyard Mosquito Control
James E. Cilek, Florida A&M University
Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, 2008

 

 

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