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When it amount to protecting yourself and your family from mosquitoes , you typically only have a couple of choice . you’re able to comprehend everyone in smelly hemipteron atomiser , seek to kill off your mosquito universe with hemipteron zappers , or pay for an expensive mosquito M intervention . TheThermacell Mosquito Repellentoffers a different root . This modest canister , which is about the sizing of a Bluetooth speaker , is designed to create a 20 - foot zona of protective cover from mosquitoes by releasing vapors that repel the footling leech .
Interested in what this scentless and silent repellant had to offer , I put it to the test to see just how well it could disgust mosquito . I did n’t go easy on the Thermacell either , choosing to test it at a campground located deep in a wooded area rife with mosquito activity . If the Thermacell do well in this buggy environment , it should work on just about anywhere .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Thermacell E55 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller: At a Glance
Rating:9.5/10
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WHAT WE LIKE
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
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What is the Thermacell E55 rechargeable mosquito repeller?
TheThermacell mosquito repellentworks by diffusing a pyrethroid , or pesticide , called metofluthrin into the surround line . Since metofluthrin works by interfering with the unquiet organisation of insects , it ’s very effective at repelling mosquitoes . The Thermacell consists of a small canister that holds a replaceable cartridge containing its alive ingredients . It ’s power by a lithium - ion barrage fire that you reload using the admit USB - speed of light cable . When turn on , the Thermacell disperse repellent into the tune via an chess opening at the top , finally creating a 20 - foot zone that drive away mosquito . Each cartridge wreak for about 12 hours , after which you have to substitute it with a newfangled one . The battery lasts for about 9 hours before command a recharge , and four light-emitting diode lights on the front of the canister let you know how much battery commission remain .
Is the Thermacell mosquito repellent easy to set up?
The Thermacell is mostly quick to go out of the boxwood with very little setup call for . I commence by charging the Thermacell using its included USB - C cable and one of my own charging stop , a outgrowth that remove about 4 hours . Once charged , installation was prosperous and involved removing the top of the canister from the base ( the two are held together by three attracter ) , insert the revolting cartridge , and replacing the lid .
Turning the Thermacell on is a little more complicated . Controls consist of one button and four LED lights that wink intermittently when you release it on . Since there are no label on the Thermacell , reading the direction was necessary to figure out what they mean . Three light-emitting diode at the bottom indicate battery level .
Four lighter rotate to indicate the Thermacell is heating up , then detain on when it ’s active . Thermacell sound out it takes about 15 minutes to gear up up its 20 - foot zona of mosquito protective covering .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Does the Thermacell mosquito repellent work?
I wanted to verify that the Thermacell was properly try out , so I specify it up around fall when mosquitoes are most dynamic . Then I waited until I registered a few bites on my ankle joint before firing up the Thermacell .
I was unbelieving at first , especially since , unlike hemipteron spray or citronella candles , the repellent is totally scentless . The Thermacell also makes no hearable noise , other than blare when it turn on .
Within about 5 minutes , I find a speedy decline in mosquito activity . After 15 minutes , mosquitoes had fled the immediate sphere . The Thermacell aver it creates a geographical zone of protection that is 20 foot in diam , and that hold on-key during our tests .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
We used it over a total of 3 days and it worked every sentence . We only noticed mosquito activity when the repellent cartridge ran out . It would be prissy if there was some sort of indicator to admonish you when the magazine needs to be replaced . Maybe it will be on next version of the Thermacell .
There were some caveats to its potency . At one point during my testing , a light wind kicked up that seemed to throw off the zone of protection , storm us to get close to the Thermacell to last out within its mosquito - repelling bubble .
Since the Thermacell ’s protection area is limited , it ’s not a resolution if you ’re moving around your G or a campsite . And while I could foresee creating a larger zona of protection with multiple Thermacells , that could promptly get expensive ( as we ’ll discuss later ) .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Silent and Portable
It ’s severely not to like the intent of this germ repeller when compared toother option . It does n’t leave an oily or smelly residue on your pelt like spray , and there ’s no never-ending zapping racket as you ’ll get from a glitch zapper . Since it ’s the size of a small Bluetooth utterer and weigh less than a pound , you may well move it around your patio or campsite and even throw it in a rucksack for soft transport .
Is the Thermacell mosquito repellent worth the money?
In gild to keep the Thermacell working , you ’ll require to incessantly eat it repellant refills , which are n’t flashy . One 40 - hour refill costs about $ 20 on Amazon , which is on top of the price of the Thermacell unit itself . bet on how much meter you expend out of doors during the strong calendar month of the class or how manyThermacell mosquito repellentsyou’ve got go , that could get dear . you could save more on refill by buying them in bulk , but they still are n’t what I ’d call cheap .
Should you buy the Thermacell mosquito repellent?
If you ’re like me and you want to make consumption of your outdoor living distance without having to slather on oily DEET - based hemipteron nebulizer or give the axe up an ugly and noisybug zapperthat typically does more injury than good , then the Thermacell is worth the investment . Its ability to decimate mosquito activity within a 20 - foot zone makes it the ideal way to protect your pack of cards or terrace . As I come upon , it ’s also a great familiar to bring along on bivouacking slip . Just know that this is loosely a stationary solution that works only as long as you stay in its zona of tribute . It ’s not a hemipterous insect repellant designed for hikes in the Wood , backyard softball game , or any other activity that involves drive from one place to another .
Where to Buy the Thermacell Mosquito Repellent
Meet the Tester
Tony Carrick is a self-employed person author specialise in home improvement , landscaping , technology , abode security , and excogitation . His article have been sport on such site as CNN Underscored , Popular Science , Futurism , Popular Mechanics , Pro Tools Review , and more . Carrick has conducted rigorous product testing on everything from power tool to menage security systems to backyard grills . With each followup , his goal is to help reviewer determine whether a intersection meets their needs and if it is or is n’t deserving its cost tag end .
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