Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Lantern review

One thing I can count on after the snow melts here in New Hampshire is the rebirth of the mosquitoes, black flies and no-see-ums.  Having just spent 5-6 months indoors to beat the cold and snow, now I can look forward to 5 months of either staying inside or living in my screen porch.  So, I was happy to get the Thermacell Scout Camp Lantern and mosquito repellent to review.  Maybe now I can sit outside and enjoy the spring weather.We do try to get out of the house as often as possible and during the bug season this usually entails gooping up with a concoction containing vast amounts of DEET.  It does work, but it leaves me feeling sticky and doesn’t smell all that good.  Using the Lantern has at least allowed me to roam within a 15-foot radius without having to put chemicals all over my body.

Lantern Features:

• 220 lumen led lamp with 4 settings Low/Med/High/SOS
• 4 AA batteries (not included) provide up to 40 hours of light
• Rubber grip handle
• Water resistant
• Hanging clip
• 7.25 in tall; 4.25 in wide
• 1.19 pounds with batteries

Mosquito Repellent Features:

• 15×15 foot zone of protection that lasts hours
• Repels mosquitos, black flies and no-see-ums
• Silent, virtually odor free with no open flame
• Butane cartridges last 12 hours
• Repellent is a synthetic of natural repellent found in chrysanthemums
• Uses readily available refill packs of butane and repellent mats

What I found in the package was the lantern, a butane cartridge and one 12 hour repellent mat.  Notice the knurled ring at the top of the lantern.  There’s a red dot which moves with the ring to indicate the current condition of the butane burner; on/off/ignite.

Detaching the globe on the lantern reveals the base, which contains the LEDs and the globe where one screws in the butane.

Further dis-assembly of the base shows where the 4 AA batteries are installed.

To put the unit into operation, you install the butane cartridge in the globe of the lantern and then slide a repellent mat on the top of the globe.  It should be noted that the two functions of the lantern are independent of each other.  The light does not have to be on for the repellent to work or vice versa.

At this point, I’m all set to go.  To activate the repellent, one turns the top ring of the globe to the on position.  You’ll hear a hissing sound as the gas is released.  After ten seconds, twist the ring further to the momentary ignite position and you should see a red glow in a tiny hole in the side of the ring.

I first tested the repelling capability of the unit by hanging it over the doorway to my RV.  This was done in the early evening hours which is prime time for the bugs.  Without the unit, every time someone entered the RV, they brought several mosquitoes and or other pests with them.  Having the Camp Lantern kept the area free of those pests and I didn’t have to yell at the grandkids about closing the door.

Later in the evening I turned on the lantern and positioned it so it would illuminate our parking spot and at the same time continue to keep the bugs away while we sat outside.

Quite frankly, I really didn’t think the device would work to repel mosquitoes, because all the other devices I’ve used over the years, including coils, candles, and area sprays didn’t.  However, the Thermacell actually worked.  Now, it wasn’t 100% effective, because while sitting outside one day a mosquito did land on me, but it was only one in an area infested with the bugs.  I do have one concern and that is the cost of the consumables.  To purchase a standard refill pack consisting of 4 butane cartridges and 12 x 4 hours mats will cost about $16 for 48 hours of protection.

Thermacell has a product line of various lantern/repellers and personal repellers.  What’s good is they all use the same consumables.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Thermacell. For more information, visit their site and check Amazon for Thermacell products.