Humidity is a vital part of an enclosure’s climate for many exotic pets, and the best ways to introduce it would be with foggers or misters/sprayers. As with many things in this hobby, the best option will vary depending on your enclosure, where the enclosure is placed, and which species you plan to keep in it.
To some extent, it is also dependent on which weather effect you would prefer in your enclosure. For the most part, when considering these items, we are planning to use them in a mesh or glass enclosure and for species that enjoy periods or require constant high humidity. Some examples include dart frogs, panther chameleons, crested geckos, tree frogs, etc.
That said, keep reading to find out which you should use: misting vs fogging.
What is a Mister/Sprayer?
Sprayers/misters come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but generally, you will be picking between hand sprayers or automatic misting systems to raise humidity levels.
Hand sprayers or manual pressure sprayers are great when you want the most control. You are able to use a spray bottle for as long as you like and aim the nozzle in any direction.
We use a pressure sprayer in-store to mist all of our enclosures, as it allows us much better control over the amount of water entering the enclosure and the direction it enters from, and we are able to inspect the enclosure as we spray it. On the downside, it does require manual intervention, so you will need to remember every day. The amount of water and time between sprays is also less consistent.
Misting systems like the MistKing System, on the other hand, are much more reliable, as they will spray for a set period at a set time every day. The only intervention required is to refill the reservoir regularly and to check every now and again that the automated system unit is still working.
There is less control over the direction of the nozzle, and with more mechanical parts, there is a higher risk of malfunction. For the most part, these units are reliable, but they still need to be checked periodically just in case something has gone wrong.
What is a Fogger?
Foggers are any device that turns a standing pool of water or a reservoir into a fine mist or fog and allows it to build up within the enclosure. They can either be small devices kept within a decoration or a water bowl within the enclosure or an external device with a pipe or hose to feed the mist into the enclosure.
Both are great, but for the most part, we like to keep hardware outside the enclosure wherever possible. Foggers are a great way to add humidity to an enclosure whilst creating a natural fog/cool mist effect.
On the downside, they don’t produce as much condensation within the enclosure, so the humidity tends to drop faster than when an enclosure is sprayed. One key feature for any fogger is for it to cut off if the reservoir runs dry, as they can break.
So Which is Better?
When we are deciding between these items, the first thing we consider is how the animal is likely to get their hydration.
- Choosing between a mister and a fogger depends on how your animal prefers to hydrate. Different species have different needs, so keep the following in mind:
- Some geckos, lizards, and invertebrates drink condensation or droplets from ornaments and plants.
- Others require constant access to an open water dish or body of water.
- For species that rely on droplets, a hand mister or automatic misting system is best.
- For animals that drink from bowls, you can use either device.
- To boost the effectiveness of misters and foggers, add absorbent materials (like bark) that hold water and slowly release it throughout the day.
Looking for Humidity and Ventilation Systems? Visit Us Today
We stock a range of humidity and ventilation systems, including from renowned brands like MistKing, Lucky Reptile, Exo Terra, and ReptiZoo.
This includes misters, foggers, drippers, fans, digital timer systems, and water pumps. Many reptile owners across the UK rely on us as we have a wide range of products, including live food, decor, live plants, and reptile equipment.
If you have any questions on which would be best for your species or need any help choosing a device for your enclosure, please contact us at sales@reptilecentre.com or 01604753823.
