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Nothing cut off a reposeful eve outside like mosquito . Just like clockwork , when the sun go down , the bugs come out to bite and get to everyone at the political party . Time to plough on the lights and apply bug spray — unless you ’ve instal a band of glitch - repelling out-of-door visible radiation . Tiki BiteFighter go twine lightsmight be the commodious two - in - one solution to loony nights that we ’ve been depend for since the innovation of backyard broil .
Wisconsin - basedTiki Brandis synonymous with relaxed out-of-door living . The society has built a firm repute and loyal customer base , go with the original bamboo Tiki Torch dating back to the fifties . It now offers a full line of decorative torches , fire pits , and fuels , along with “ the first - ever run string light with show mosquito repellency . ” I recently tested the Tiki BiteFighter chain light to find out if they worked as well as advertised , and I ’m felicitous to say they do . say on to learn about my backyard trial and why these hemipteran - repelling cosmic string brightness may be a good choice for your space .
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
Tiki BiteFighter LED String Lights: At a Glance
Rating:8.9/10
PROS
CONS
Get the Tiki BiteFighter LED twine lights at :
What are the Tiki BiteFighter LED string lights?
Tiki BiteFighter conduct string lights fulfil two important part for backyard evening entertainment . They throw up shiny , warm ignitor and repel insect cuss , setting the stage for comfortable gatherings without pesky bug bite . The curing let in one 120 - V fireplug - in Light Within strand , 14 shatter - resistant LED bulbs , and three replaceable undivided - use mosquito - repellent pods that last up to 200 hours , or 90 days at 2.4 hours per day .
Each 36 - foot light strand holds 12 of the Edison - mode LED light bulb , with fixtures space every 36 in . They give off a pleasant glow that fosters drinks and conversation with splendid profile . Three repellent diffusor , space at 12 - metrical foot intervals , silently vaporize the contents of the pod to keep mosquitoes at bay . Each diffusor covers a 110 - straight - metrical foot region . When thoughtfully install around the perimeter or over the top of a given space , the string creates a 330 - square - substructure bug - costless zona . Tiki drawing string lights are neutrally style to go with any decor . Heavy - responsibility building details include a weatherproof design for exposed installation , black commercial-grade - form 18/3 cable , and individual hang loops built into every medulla oblongata and diffuser fixture . For gravid areas , up to eight of these bowed stringed instrument lights can be connected end to end on the same electric outlet .
Product Specs
How easy is it to install Tiki BiteFighter LED string lights?
The Tiki string lights were very easy to install . They arrived in the boxwood with the bulbs uninstalled for dependable shipping , so I spread the cord on the ground below where I intended to instal it , then installed the LED bulbs and disgustful fuel pod . After testing to ascertain everything worked properly , starting at the wad end , I suspended each bulb fixture and diffusor from an sulfur - hook ( sold singly ) by its own hang closed circuit .
Installation was quick and painless to test near my bug - infested tree line of descent and again on my covered deck . The wire was well jam-packed to prevent tangles . The bulbs and repellent pods plainly threaded into their socket , and the hang loop held firmly .
How bright is the light cast by Tiki BiteFighter LED string lights?
Having tested numeroussolar guide cosmic string lights , I was immediately impress by the lightheaded quality of the Tiki lead bowed stringed instrument lights . As a plug - in string light equipped with 2 - W bulb , it was much brighter than solar - powered models with 1 - James Watt bulbs . I happen it easy to scan magazine- or newspaper - size lettering on a printed page , and I could make comfortable eye contact during conversation . Plus , there was no worry about battery liveliness or whether or not the sun would come out to reload them .
I also remark that these 2200 K warm ashen igniter produce more of a yellow glow compared to other popular choices at 2700K. Lighting coloring temperature seems to be more of a personal preference , so those who choose a more sodding white light may not be completely slaked with the warmth of the Tiki Inner Light .
Do the Tiki BiteFighter LED string lights actually repel mosquitoes?
What really makesTiki string lightsstand out is bug repellency . For my nonscientific examination , they worked quite well . I establish the lights in an peculiarly buggy part of my G near a wooded area . One ardent , muggy eve when the air was still , I waited until the Sunday dipped down under the horizon and turned on the diffuser . I waited , as the maker apprise , 15 minutes for them to initiate working . hold out a T - shirt and shorts , I sat down in my lawn chair and wait to be devour by mosquito . After an minute , I counted just two bites . I reprise the run two more times with similar results . Not high-risk .
The diffusor worked completely silently , and I liked that they can be controlled independently of the visible radiation . When the unclouded bowed stringed instrument is plugged in , the luminance stay on . A build up - in switch is used to turn the diffusers on or off while the lights are on . The metofluthrin - base repellant was altogether scentless when opening and put in the pods , and while being vaporized . skilful of all , this system eliminate the need for yard treatments and personal bug - repellant sprays and lotions .
The potential downsides for the repellency of this product come to to installation and conditions condition . The repellant is mean to work at land level . Per the manufacturer ’s pedagogy , the string lights must be installed within 10 feet of the ground to render the advertised repellency . That eliminates the possibility of using them on a main - level pack of cards extending over a walkout basement , among other potential America . Also , breezy conditions would likely impress the coverage area .
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
Are the Tiki BiteFighter LED string lights worth the money?
For all the public toilet they extend , the Tiki BiteFighter LED bowed stringed instrument light come at a premium price . At the list price of $ 159 , they run two to three times the cost of plain strand lights . As a point in time of comparability , theseHampton Bay ballyhoo - in LED drawstring lightscost just under $ 50 . Another toll to consider is the price of wicked refill when the first set of fuel pod runs out . replenishment podscost about $ 72 for a hardening of three , which will last another season or 200 hours of use .
But there are also savings to consider . Those who presently hire contractors for grand treatments or apply DIY products to foreclose mosquitoes may be capable to pass that recurring disbursal . And , since these diffusor ferment on demand , establish a bug - free zone within 15 instant of turning them on , repellant usance is well targeted , and less fourth dimension , money , and vigour are wasted . Anyone paying $ 30 to $ 50 per visit for monthly mosquito control applications might receive the saving .
Are Tiki BiteFighter LED string lights right for you?
Anyone who enjoys spending summertime evenings on the pack of cards or terrace knows that bite insects have the potential to end a good fourth dimension prematurely . or else of spraying the yard with insecticide or yourself with hemipterous insect repellant , the two - in - oneTiki BiteFighter LED string lightshave the power to illuminate the space while observe hemipteran aside . In my mental test , they worked as advertised and lit up my backyard with a brilliant and cozy warm glow .
If you are currently paying for professional M handling just to have a couple of pleasant evenings per week on the patio , these illumination could be the money recoverer you ’re looking for . The quality is top - notch , the light is warm and bright , and they really do eliminate bugs .
Where to Buy the Tiki BiteFighter LED String Lights
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a writer and product examiner with an panoptic setting in the nursery and landscape gardening industry . For more than 20 days he mowed , edged , planted , pruned , cultivated , irrigated , and renovated beautiful landscapes . Now he tests and spell review about the latest outdoor power equipment , handwriting instrument , lawn - charge products , and other outside animation goods .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
We ’ll aid you lay up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your patio , a raised layer , or an in - ground plot out back — and pick out the right plants for your stain and region .
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila