Ever wrestled with a child to spray on bug-spray in an attempt to protect them from mosquitoes? Have you ever rubbed on bug-lotion, then forgot and rubbed your eyes later and got that nasty burning sensation? Have you ever used a bug repellant candle, and then found that the flame attracted more mosquitoes than the scent has eliminated?
As a mother and a resident of a mosquito friendly state, I have tried everything available to defend my family against mosquitoes. Some lotions and sprays do work, however, you must keep reapplying them and they smell. Good or bad, they all have an odor. Many repellants contain chemicals that you must directly apply to your skin. As a parent, that concerns me. I do not want to douse my children in smelly chemicals in hopes that it will protect them against mosquito bites. However, with the rising threat of the West Nile Virus along with other diseases and the painful itch of a mosquito bite, we are forced to use sprays, lotions, and candles to help protect our families. Then I tried the ThermaCELL® Mosquito Repellant. ThermaCELL® offers another choice, that is odor free, and easy to use, providing a mosquito free area within minutes.
The ThermaCELL® Mosquito Repellant is a hand held repellent the size of a TV remote control. It claims to repel mosquitoes, black flies, and no-see-ums and is 98% effective and odor free. It states that it provides up to 225 sq. ft of protection without batteries or cords. According to ThermaCELL® information the US Army has tested and used ThermaCELL® in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan and is currently being used a several military bases. ThermaCELL® has performed extensive scientific testing of their product with excellent results.
How does it work? Simple. Simply insert the small butane container into the hand held unit. Place the small repellant mat into the unit. Turn on and click the ignition button. The ThermaCELL® mat contains the repellent allethrin; a synthetic chemical copy of the natural occurring repellent called pyrethrin that is found in the pyrethrum flower. This replaceable mat last up to four hours. The unit has an enclosed flame, making them safe to use and carry in the woods and is EPA approved. The odorless repellent makes it a great choice for hunters.
Finding a place to test out this product was easy. A small pond surrounded with weeds and heavy brush and swarming with mosquitoes was the perfect spot. Wearing shorts and a short sleeve shirt, I proceeded to field test the ThermaCELL® Mosquito Repellant. Wearing NO other type of repellent, I was in a hurry to see if this product would do what it claims, repel mosquitoes! I ignited the unit. I did notice a faint odor of butane immediately after igniting the unit for the first time but within a minute or two I could not detect any odor.
It took a few minutes for the air around me to become filled with the repellent and I did get a few bites until the unit really kicked into high gear. After two or three minutes I was totally comfortable and no discovered no mosquitoes were buzzing around my head or landing on me. For the first time this summer, I was able to sit and enjoy the pond for a long period of time, without being BUGGED!
I tested the ThermaCELL® unit several more times. While sitting in the lawn chair out in the yard, or lying in the hammock during the peak mosquito hours or during a walk in the woods, the ThermaCELL® worked as claimed. The ThermaCELL® unit protected everyone, including the dog that was within a 225 sq. ft area of the unit.
The ThermaCELL® unit can be purchased at most hunting and fishing stores. The unit retails in Olive color for $21.99 and Camouflage for $24.99. Refill Cartridges include one butane cartridge and three repellent mates for $5.99. The unit is hand held and a carrying holster can be purchased separately.
ThermaCELL® is a simple and effective repellent that helps win the war on mosquitoes and black flies. It would be an excellent repellent for fishing and hunting. Visit their website for more details.
