Thermocell - does it work?

Dave Diefenderfer

Dave Diefenderfer

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I have been using the OFF fan repellent. The blue pod that clips on you belt. We have these tiger mosquitoes that are a real PITA. Evenings in the boat shop/tent are pested by these buggers. If I keep a fan blowing directly on me, they are not so bad, but without the fan, even with the OFF relelants, they can be a pest. Looking for a better solution. Any experience with the Thermocell? Will it work if I am moving? Can I set it on the bench and not have it on my person? Anything better to use?

TIA, Dave
 
Yep, they work for skeeters and most other biting flies. I've had two over the last 2-3 years. They are not waterproof, so don't leave it out in the rain. I've used mine in the deep north woods of New Hampshire during black bear season, striper fishing here in Gloucester, BBQs in the backyard, and watching my kids' soccer games up at the town fields, which are surrounded by woods and bordered by a swamp (skeeter breeding ground). They work great. They also make a lantern version now, which I have not used but have heard good things about.


Kind regards,
Nate Grace
 
My experiences with thermocells have been mixed. They work if you aren't moving far from it and there isn't much of a breeze. Sitting outside watching the sun go down on a calm evening they work OK. You don't need it right on you, you can put it on a table between a few people. A little breeze and you better be close on the down wind side.
It isn't as great as all the product pushers on TV make it seem. To be honest I was thinking of trying the Off clip ons because the refills and fuel are a bit of a pain on the thermocells.

Tim
 
Worked for me on a bear hunt in Maine, but yes... if it's windy it doesnt work well, but then again... how many skeeters are out when its windy?
 
YES

they work.....if it is breezy i tend to position it so i'm down wind of course....but they work great...use it duck hunting, turkey hunting...camping if needed....real life saver for me....
 
YES

they work.....if it is breezy i tend to position it so i'm down wind of course....but they work great...use it duck hunting, turkey hunting...camping if needed....real life saver for me....
Click to expand...
by far and away, THE BEST invention for a dove hunter, early season teal hunter, a bow hunter and a turkey hunter down here in the deep south!

i don't go hunting in the early fall or late spring without one (or several if i remember them).

justin
 
Thermacells are a godsend for our Turkey season. If the butane runs out I can tell even before I check it. The mosquito's start coming back after only a few minutes!

I also do like Dani, put it a few feet upwind if it's breezy.............I rarley if ever clip it too myself..and it still does a good job of keeping the bugs at bay.......
 
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Dave
All as you have got to do is let me bring Amber over, when she passes wind nothing hangs about HeheHe.
Take care and God Bless
Eddie and Amber
Its all about Building that Bond.
 
Yes. Even on Point Au Fer Island, LA. A place where the gnats are so bad, you can wipe them off your arm and the amount of blood there would make you think you've been shot or something. The gnats are so bad there that just with normal breathing you inhale them and have to cough them up. Nothing but 100% Deet applied liberally and frequently will keep them off, except for the Thermocell. Now you have to light it and then walk away for 5 minutes or so then come back to have it work really well. It won't run off the cloud of gnats that cling to you. It just keeps them from finding you in the first place. Mosquitos are nothing compared to gnats and it works well on those too. Hunting the first half of Duck Season, we literally share our hunting spot with millions and I mean untold millions of mosquitos. In the hour before sunrise nothing not even 100% Deet will totally keep them off you. The Thermocell will.

Ed.
 
Dave, I was originally told of them through a friend in the military. I do not know if Thermocell makes the military version, but he thinks quite highly about their positive effect.

One evening sitting around a campfire with two other couples, the woman were on one side of the fire chit chatting and in full mortal combat with the mosquitos. We men, had the Thermocell on are side and were chuckling at the women flailing away, as we had no bug problems. Well the woman caught on, took the Thermocell and soon the raging battle switched to our side of the fire, which thoroughly amused the woman.
 
I couldn't turkey hunt without one, definitely extends my turkey hunts since I'm not miserable. I got my hands on one from a rep before they were ever being sold, 10 years now with the same one. Awesome, awesome, awesome! I have to use it when I carve out under the garage too. However, a buddy of mine took his to Alaska and said it was no match for those mosquitos, said they were landing on it.
 
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Dave, I dont have any expeerience with the thermacells but I can tell you that for around your house the propane powered foggers work great. When we first moved in our house and my kids were small if they were at the back end of the yard it was hard to see their heads for the cloud of mosquitoes(well maybe a slight exageration) Fogger worked great. Keeps them away for hours. One note, tell your neighbors if you use one so they dont think your house is on fire.
 
another yes...

working in the garage on the boat last summer in the evenings, they were thick...buddy brings his thermacell over, Actually had it IN front of a fan to help move it around. The garage was free of bugs. Walked to the edge of the garage, and literally it was like you walked into a WALL of skeeters. My wife called bullshit on us, as she came outside and we told her about it, she walked out the garage, down to the mailbox and back and she looked like a measles case. About 10 skeeters on her, walked to the thermacell and they all lifted off, and flew away.

When people like Dani and Ed who live/hunt in the southern swamps say they work, well that should be enough for most.

I have my own now too.
 
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