Ionizers work, and work very well, but they are a bad idea for a hobbiest space. Not only because they are quite expensive, but because they have to be maintained. On a regular basis an ionizer needs to be measured to ensure its output is balanced. This requires a "charged plate analyzer" and a decay timer, a couple pieces of gear that almost no hobbiest owns. When an ionizer goes out of balance it actually CHARGES the work surface and everything on it.
The absolute #1 weapon in fighting ESD is the wrist strap. It actually performs two functions; First, it prevents the operator from accumulating any charge through moving around and/or working on the bench. Second, it provides a safe path to ground (through a 1meg series resistor) to dissipate any charges that the person may encounter while picking up parts and tools, using equipment, whatever.
A benchtop mat is also a great prevention device, but not nearly as important as a properly grounded wrist strap.
I feel pretty confident in saying that the failures you are experiencing are due to not wearing a wrist strap. I wouldn't worry much about the breadboard insulation and such.
One other thing you CAN do, where possible, is to make sure the circuitry you are working on is also grounded. Even if it's battery run, a little clip lead tying the neg rail to a real earth ground will prevent your circuit from floating up into the dangerous (ESD wise) voltage range.