One of our buddies, Jeff, loves to camp and swears by the Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Appliance. We asked him if he’d be willing to give us some feedback on this deterrent.  Here’s his opinion on the Thermacell repellent.

Repellent Review: We know you’re a big camper Jeff, and have heard you mention Thermacell repellents to us. Would you tell us exactly what these are and how they work to deter mosquitoes.

Jeff: Sure. I mainly use the mosquito repellent appliance that Thermacell makes. It’s a little unit that uses refillable butane cartridges. You use an electronic igniter to start the repellent. The Thermacell cartridges heat up enough to release vapor into the air. Thermacell figured out that mosquitoes don’t like a certain natuaral insecticide found in some types of chrysanthemum. So. Thermacell put the repellent on these cartridges and the vapor goes into the air around you, protecting you from mosquitoes and other bugs.

Repellent Review: Does the Thermacell unit produce an odor?

Jeff:  No.  That’s one of the benefits.  I also avoid having to put as much bug repellent on my body.  I’ll go into an area that may be thick with mosquitoes or black flies.  Fire up the Thermacell appliance, and within a half hour the bugs disappear.  I’ve used it in the boat, fishing, or at my campsite.  It really cuts down on getting bit.

Repellent Review: That’s great.  You mentioned that the Thermacell repellent uses cartridges.  How long do they last?

Jeff:  One of the Thermacell cartridges will usually last me through a couple mornings of fishing plus a night camping.  Thermacell claims it lasts around 12 hours, and I’d say that’s accurate.  I usually buy a 4-pack of the butane cartridges for around $20.  I’ve found some good deals on them at ebay.  Well worth the money to avoid being eaten alive.

Repellent Review:  Is there anthing else you’d like to mention?

Jeff:  I think that covers it.  I’d recommend Thermacell for anyone wanting a portable mosquito repellent.

      Thermacell repellents can be found here online.

Moving a cat into unfamiliar surroundings can often lead to behavior problems. Repellent Review came across such a situation allowing a test of the SSSCat Cat repellent. Two unruly cats, Albert and Carmen, recently moved into a new house with their owner, Kay. The cats started showing behavioral problems in the new environment immediately.There were three main problems the SSSCat cat deterrent needed to solve. The first challenge was trying to stop the cats from scratching the furniture. Kay had bought a new couch and loveseat when she moved in. Both cats were ignoring their cat scratcher and wreaking havoc with the furniture. Urine spraying in unwanted areas was the second challenge. One cat was urinating in a corner of the living room, and the other cat on the loveseat. The final problem involved trying to keep the cats off of the kitchen counter.

What is the SSSCat repellent and how does it work?

SSSCat is a safe cat repellent that contains a battery operated motion detector with sound and spray options. The first option allows you to both spray and frighten the cat with a neutral spray that is completely safe and humane. The sound produced by the SSSCat unit is a constant loud noise. Cats learn to develop comfort zones. By placing the SSSCat canister in the paths of the zones, the cats learn to modify their patterns. The cat repellent acts as a negative stimulus in the zone, and the cat soon learns to avoid the area.

Two canisters were used in Kay’s home. One repellent was placed near the couch, while the other was set near the loveseat where unwanted urine spraying was taking place.

Kay heard the alarm go off twice the first night after the canisters were set up. The following night, Coby, her son, heard the alarm. The cannister was periodically moved around the couch to turn it into a forbidden zone. The second cannister of cat repellent was moved first around the loveseat, then around the spots where the cats were spraying, and finally to the kitchen counter. It was also important to give positive reinforcements to the cats by taking them to the cat scratcher or showing them praise when they used their litterbox.

Within a few weeks, the SSSCat cat repellent had proved a solution to the behavior problems. No more cats scratching the furniture. Urine spraying stopped and cats stayed off the counters.

Other reviewers of the SSSCat repellent had similar success with the deterrent. ‘This product is great because it catches the cat in the act when you are not home, sleeping, in the other room, etc…We have had this product for about a month but we saw an immediate difference. Another reviewer using the product a long period of time stated that the spray lasts a few months to a year. Often, just using the sound option is enough of a deterrent after the cat has been sprayed a few times.

Based on the positive results seen with Albert and Carmen, Repellent Review gives the SSSCat cat repellent 5 stars. It’s safe method of changing cat behavior problems was a success. The ability to stop cats from scratching the furniture, urine spraying, and keeping cats off the counter, created a much more pleasant environment.

Get the latest prices on SSSCat here, or on Ebay.