These reasonably-priced devices create a protective bubble that lasts for hours.
There are many effective mosquito-repelling lotions and sprays for when you’re on the go. What about when you’re in your backyard or at your campsite and prefer not to slather or spray on goop to keep the critters away?
Meet the Thermacell mosquito repeller, my new favorite bug-be-gone devices when I’m dining al fresco or sleeping under the stars. My first evening trying one of them, I went four hours without a single nibble, and without applying a lick of lotion or a shot of spray.
How do they work? While a lot of bug-zapping lamps claim to demolish unwanted flying guests, many are not effective at actually transforming your immediate area into a hospitable, shielded environment for exposed ankles and arms. Thermacell devices use heat and DEET-free repellent to create a 15-foot “bubble” where bugs don’t want to venture.
They activate in seconds, reach full power in about 15 minutes, and keep the bugs off of everyone inside their protective radius, no smelly sprays or DEET required. They run off butane fuel cartridges that are good from four to forty hours before you have to replace them.
Not all bug zappers are exactly nice to look at; I like how Thermacells blend into outdoor decor. Models include the Radius Zone Repeller, a three-inch cube that runs on power (and is the only model you can take on a plane).
There is a slightly-smaller battery-powered model, available in pink, green, black, white, bright blue, and navy.
There are lanterns and tiki torches, too.
My favorite is the Cambridge lantern. It looks good and has a coverage zone of 15 feet. No open flame means it’s safe for crowded tabletops. Lightweight and battery-operated, you can take it camping for up to 12 hours of protection (and LED light, too).
If you’re venturing into the true wilderness, you may want to bring a more rugged model. The Thermacell MR300 is the most portable, with a handle and protective case. It comes in a range of “outdoorsy” colors (gray, black, dark green), plus fluoro yellow for those times when you accidentally drop it in the brush. There’s an optional holster for hands-free carrying available in black, safety orange, and camo.
The MR300 isn’t really meant to protect you while you’re in motion, but it’s easy to set up once you reach a campsite or start fishing. You can even buy a hanger to attach it to a tree trunk.
The slightly larger MR450 is essentially the same product and works with the same accessories, but features added rubber armor for durability and a battery-powered status light to make it easier to tell if it’s running. Both models create an identical 15-foot bug shield.
Currently, several Thermacell models are on sale. The MR300 is normally $25; some colors are as low as $18. The MR450 (normally $33) is marked down to $26, and the Radius (the cube that runs off power; normally, $50) is $40.
Twist’s Take: Whether you’re backpacking through the wilderness or hosting your own backyard film festival, it’s worth investing in a Thermacell to keep the bugs away.
