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Summary: For years we have sought a mosquito repellent that actually works.  We finally found one that does,  the ThermaCELL® products.  Numerous tests around the world attest to its effectiveness.  It is used by the US Armed Forces and is recommended by Good Housekeeping magazine.  It is a small, unobtrusive appliance or lantern that repels biting insects including mosquitoes, sand flies, no-see-ums and black flies within a 15 foot diameter.   Take the appliance to outdoor concerts, parks, camping, etc., for a personal zone of protection.

Operation:  The appliance is about the size of a flashlight (the lantern is somewhat larger), and emits an odor that repels mosquitoes, sand flies and black flies within a 15 foot diameter.  It uses a combination of butane and disposable pads that are placed in the device. You load the device with the butane and a pad, slide the switch to on, then click the start button a few times.  It is working when you see a light at the top of the device. Then lay it on any horizontal surface.  Each pad lasts 4 hours, and should be replaced when the color of the pad turns from pale blue to white, about 4 hours.

The Lantern operates the same way, but also has a small light that is operated by batteries.  We sell a lantern or appliance kit which contains 5 twelve-hour butane tanks and 15 four-hour pads which will last a total of 60 hours.  You can turn it on and off as needed. Refills and replacements are also available.

Click here to go to the order page.            NOTE:  These cannot be sent to Canada or through the US mail.

Unlike mosquito traps which attract and kill mosquitoes and other biting insects, the ThermaCELL® units repel them. One small device at a modest cost can protect up to a 15 foot diameter. If you want protection for a larger area, add a Thermacell for each 15x15 foot area or combine it with one or more of our mosquito traps. The only other effective way to repel mosquitoes is to apply messy creams or sprays to your skin or wear clothing that has been treated for mosquito repellency. 

The active ingredient is allethrin. It belongs to a class of chemicals called pyrethroids, which are synthetic versions of pyrethrin, a naturally occurring insecticide found in certain types of chrysanthemum known as pyrethrum flowers. Mosquitoes are repelled by it. The allethrin is contained in the mats.  When heated by the butane the allethrin is released. The amount of active ingredient will repel mosquitoes and other biting insects, but is not enough to kill them. Each mat contains 0.018 oz. of active ingredient which is released over a 4 hour period.

There are a number of other products on the market which claim to repel mosquitoes.  However, we are not aware of any independent tests which verify their claims, and our tests have not found any others that are effective.  That is not true of the ThermaCELL.  Tests have been conducted in many locations around the world with great results. 

If you have a large area or heavy concentrations of mosquitoes, we recommend our mosquito traps and one or more Thermacells.  Put the traps out toward the source of the mosquitoes to kill as many as possible, and then use the Thermacell where you congregate, one for every 15 x 15 foot area. 

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