Longer, hotter summers mean one thing: longer, itchier, angrier mosquito seasons. And if June’s sizzling heat waves are any preview of summer’s dog days, you’re gonna need more than good vibes and a flickering citronella candle to make it through.
I was playing it fast and loose with the usual bug defenses: sprays that smell bad and taste even worse and candles that burn out faster than your will to be outside. Then I met my new summer MVP: the Thermacell. It’s a compact, affordable, bug-repelling gadget that’s kept my backyard hangouts and balcony beers almost entirely bite-free.
Made by Massachusetts-based company Thermacell, this line of mosquito defense devices works by diffusing a scentless, invisible mosquito repellent into the air. The magic? It doesn’t smell, doesn’t stick to your skin and it actually works.
I’ve been testing the smallest in the lineup, the Thermacell E-Series, with a fast charging dock. For around $40 (or less — it’s currently on sale for $25 at Target), this little puck creates a 20-foot bubble of bug-free bliss. It’s available at REI, Amazon and other retailers, and it might just be the best $40 you spend this summer (that isn’t on frozen margarita mix).
How does Thermacell work?
The rechargeable device releases a trickle of vapor, similar to an oil diffuser, that contains a synthetic version of a chemical found in the chrysanthemum flower. According to Griffin Dill, an integrated pest management professional at the University of Maine I spoke to, these compounds excite insects’ neuroreceptors, which dissuades them from feeding. Because of this, you might still see bugs flying around but they’re far less likely to bite you.
Thermacell’s formula is effective in deterring dozens of species of mosquitos, black flies and biting gnats.
I also spoke with Thermacell’s Senior Product Director Adam Goess, who performs research and testing in the company’s sprawling laboratory in the swamps of Florida — the mosquito capital of America. As of our speaking, they’ve found the device to be effective in deterring dozens of species of mosquitos and even black flies and biting gnats.
In my testing, it worked just as advertised. I ran the Thermacell around my outdoor dining table and lounge setup on five evenings during twilight when bugs are particularly ravenous. My yard has a pool, so you can only imagine the sort of swarms that descend on the space during summer.
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Each time, friends and I waited until we felt the first bites and broke out the Thermacell, placing it in the middle. In all five instances, the bug bites stopped as the mist made its way out of the softball-sized device. While bites were neutralized, we could still see the occasional mosquito darting about.
A few drawbacks
Pods last for about 36 hours and each one costs $20.
Thermacells are fueled by small pods. Those last for about 36 hours when run continuously before you’ll need a refill. Refill pods cost about $20, but I found a two-pack, good for 72 hours of repelling, for $22 on QVC. Needless to say I jumped on the deal.
Considering the buggiest parts of the evening only last an hour or so, you can stretch a single pod for a month or more if you remember to turn it off when you’re done or the bug hour is over. And only use it when you need it, not every time you hang outside.
Also, the Thermacell only works when it’s charged and not while charging on the dock. So if you’ve forgotten to charge it before the bugs come, there’s no recourse or backup plan and you’ll have to wait until it regains some juice.
A Thermacell won’t work while on its charging dock, so be sure that it’s charged before the bug hour begins.
Though he hadn’t tried the Thermacell himself, Dill said that he had heard good things from colleagues. He steered us away from a few other popular anti-mosquito products:
- Those mosquito-repellent bracelets that look like old-fashioned telephone cords: They don’t work.
- Citronella candles: Those don’t work.
- Those organic essential oils favored by hippies like my wife: Dill wasn’t willing to say they don’t work, but he did point to the dearth of research about their efficacy and safety.
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