HWN Suggests

This smart mosquito system actually works — for a hefty price

If Thermacell came up with a smart repellent system that could stay on for six hours a day without costing thousands of dollars over a season, I’d be more inclined to recommend it. But, as it stands, considering you still have to use alternative methods to keep the bites fully at bay, this is definitely more of a luxury add-on than a complete solution.

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 I Rolled Up My Pants And Sleeves To Test Mosquito Tech In The Wild. Did It Work?

One of the first items for my test was Thermacell’s MR450, a hand-held mosquito repellent device that looks like one of those retail inventory scanners. It’s designed for you to use while moving, mostly scent free, with 15 feet of protection. For a portable mosquito tool, it’s useful to a certain degree. Wind can alter the effectiveness because the repellent is in the air. The grill got a little too warm for my liking, and the ignition can be finicky, too. It’s clunky to carry around, but you can easily clip it onto a bag (just face the grill away from you). Both fuel and repellent will need to be replaced. Outdoor use only.

 Thermacell Lantern: The DEET-Free, No-Spray Insect Repellent

The biggest downsides to the Thermcell option are portability and cost... And because everything seems to have a catch, there are safety issues to be aware of with this product too. Although the Thermacell is EPA approved and uses allethrin (a synthetic version of a substance found in Chrysanthemums) instead of DEET, warnings include keeping the lantern away from uncovered food during operation and avoiding directly inhaling the vapor. Allethrin is also highly toxic to fish, bees and cats. In addition, because there is heat involved, it's important to keep the lantern away from small hands.

 This is how I'm keeping myself mosquito-free this summer

A few caveats about some potential risks. Amazon includes a Proposition 65 warning for California residents that discloses that Thermacell's repellent contains chemicals known to cause cancer and birth defects. Allethrin and metofluthrin are also toxic to some animals including birds, fish, bees and cats. Dill said that "though the potential for harm to humans is there, it's probably low," but he cautioned to use these devices in moderation and never indoors.

Articles of Interest

Chronic exposure to pyrethroid-based allethrin and prallethrin mosquito repellents alters plasma biochemical profile

Continuous exposure of humans to pyrethroid-based mosquito repellents for longer durations may lead to adverse health effects. No information is available on long-term use of these mosquito repellents pertaining to the biochemical changes in human subjects.

Lethal and repellent effects of transfluthrin and metofluthrin used in portable blowers for personal protection against Ochlerotatus togoi and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

There was no significant difference of repellent activity between the two vaporizing insecticides in the field.

Mosquito repellent has its detractors

As you may have seen on TV ads, SC Johnson has come out with Off! Clip-on, a product that promises to repel mosquitoes without any spray or odor. The plastic device, about the size of a hockey puck, contains a battery-powered fan that quietly surrounds the user with the repellent, a chemical called metofluthrin.

The Best Mosquito Repellents for Your Yard, Tested and Reviewed

The Thermacell is actually DEET free, but its formula contains another bug-deterring chemical called metofluthrin. Metofluthrin is part of a category of pesticides called pyrethroids, which are relatively new to the market. Pyrethroids are recommended by the World Health Organization for combating Zika virus and malaria. The EPA has also declared metofluthrin and other pyrethroids “practically non-toxic” to mammals in the current forms they come in on the market—they have also approved the Thermacell as a safe insect repelling device. However, studies have shown that metofluthrin is harmful to rats, rabbits, and dogs (in very high concentrations it can cause liver damage, vomiting, tremors, and in a few cases, death). Metofluthrin is also deemed “highly to very highly toxic” to aquatic life and insects.

Thermacell mosquito repellant review: does it work?

If mosquitos are a problem for you as they are for me give the Thermacell a try. It truly has been a life saver for me at the campground and I hope this article helps you.

These Mosquito-Thwarting Gadgets Have Been Wirecutter Favorites for 5 Years. (No Citronella Here.)

After spending 70 hours researching a category full of marketing hype and debunked methods, we found that the Thermacell products stand out by actually working. We recommend four different Thermacell products in our guide to the best mosquito-control gear for your patio or yard—two for home use and two that are better suited for camping or hunting.

Resources

Metofluthrin

Metofluthrin, like other pyrethroids, is neurotoxic in rats, rabbits, and dogs; both sexes were equally sensitive to metofluthrin. Clinical signs include tremor (all species), vomiting (dog only), and increased salivation (rats and dogs).