We’ve recently completed two reviews on mosquito repellent equipment produced by the group at Thermacell. Both of the repellents tested were given high marks by our reviewers and given a thumbs up by Repellent Review. Warren used the Thermacell Mosquito Repellent lantern in a practical way, while Jeff used the Thermacell Appliance while camping. One thing that was not really mentioned in the reviews was the extensive testing completed on the Thermacell repellents by our U.S. Army.

Our military troops get sent all over the world to some of the nastiest, pest-infested places you can imagine. Jungles, swamps, rainforest, you name it. We’ve seen where the military has tested and used Snake-A-Way repellent during the Gulf War to combat against snakes. It seems the U.S. Army has also tested repellents for mosquitoes which show some very positive results.

Through a cooperative research agreement involving The Schawbel Corporation and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, the Thermacell Area Repellent System was tested by United States Army Units. Results were impressive. The Thermacell units achieved a 98% protection rate against getting bit by a mosquito. This is especially important for those troops exposed to malaria vectors in places like Korea where the field tests were conducted.

Another study evaluating the efficacy of the Thermacell equipment was conducted in an area near the Pan Mun Jom in 1998. Thermacell was field tested in open guard posts and bunkers. Mosquito activity was recorded before and after treatment. Control sites using no Thermacell treatment were established.

The levels of protection ranged from 81% to 98% using Thermacell. These excellent results are the best seen so far for a mosquito repellent product used as an area repellent.

Having the same access to products the U.S. Military uses to repel mosquitoes is fortunate for you and I. With nasty diseases like West Nile Virus possibly lurking in the next mosquito, it’s a relief you can rely on repellents tested by the military.

You can find Thermacell Repellent devices online.

We recently interviewed our friend Jeff regarding his use of the Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Appliance. Thermacell makes a few different items which repel mosquitoes. He mentioned to us that his neighbor Warren uses one of Thermacell’s other bug repellents, the Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Lantern. Of course, we ran right over to get the scoop.

After hearing how Warren uses the Thermacell lantern, the title of this review could have been, “How to avoid mosquitoes this 4th of July picnic”, or “How to stay mosquito bite free when you barbeque.” Here’s why.

Repellent Review: Thanks for speaking with us Warren. Jeff says you have an effective use for the Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Lantern.

Warren: No Problem. Yes. I like to barbeque on my deck during the summer, but the no-see-ums, and mosquitoes can become quite irritating. I live directly behind a greenbelt which is great for the privacy, but full of mosquitoes. Without a decent mosquito repellent, we get bit pretty bad. I take a couple of the Thermacell lanterns, and place them on the corners of my deck. The thing I like about the Thermacell mosquito repellent lantern is that it blends in with my deck, and creates a little ambiance near evening using the lantern light. I swap out my regular ones, and replace them with these containing mosquito repellent.

Repellent Review: You use the Thermacell lantern almost like your own mosquito repellent tiki lanterns.

Warren: (laughing) Yes. The Thermacell lantern is an innovative idea. (as mentioned in this review, Thermacell mosquito repellent products use butane cartridges and blue mats containing small amounts of allethrin. This is the synthetic form of a natural mosquito repellent found in certain chrysanthemums. Bugs such as mosquitoes and no-see-ums hate this stuff. A press-button igniter starts the cartridge, igniting the mosquito repellent inside the Thermacell lantern. The odorless vapor enters the air deterring the mosquitoes.) I’ll be using them this 4th of July, as we always have a family barbeque at my home that day. These are easy to use, safe, and pretty darn good at keeping the bugs away. The cartridges don’t cost much and last through a few barbeques.

• Use the Thermacell lantern to protect your deck from mosquitoes
• The Thermacell mosquito repellent produces an odorless, safe vapor
• US Army field tests found an 81-98% level of protection against malaria mosquitoes using Thermacell in open bunkers and guard posts
• Cartridges for the Thermacell lantern last up to 12 hours

We know Warren’s family will stay bite free this barbeque season, and thank him for describing to us how he uses the Thermacell lantern. Repellent Review recognizes the Thermacell lantern as another great product in their line of mosquito repellent equipment, and gives it a thumbs up.

You can find the Thermacell Lantern online.