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Thermacell lantern
Longer days make summer a perfect time to enjoy evenings outdoors. However, hungry mosquito can bring a fun outing to an end quickly. There are many products on the market today that can protect your family from these annoying insects including bug sprays, patches, wrist bands and clip on devices. These products are all used directly on your skin or must be attached to your clothing.
My husband fishes at night during the summer and found it unpleasant to wear bug spray each time he was out. He discovered a product called a ThermaCell which claims to repel mosquitoes within a certain radius of the device. After trying it on the boat one night, he was singing its praises. Even though he chose not to wear bug spray, the ThermaCell kept the mosquitoes away and he was not bitten once. Upon hearing this, my question was "what harmful chemical is being emitted that keeps the bugs away?". I was very leery of this product until I did a little research.
ThermaCell products are powered by a single butane cartridge. The butane heats a mat containing allethrin which is a synthetic copy of the natural insecticide found in chrysanthemums. As this insecticide is released it creates a 15 foot by 15 foot "protection zone" from mosquitoes and black flies. Each repellent mat provides up to 4 hours of protection and the butane cartridges last for up to 12 hours.
ThermaCell products can be purchased at sporting good stores, hardware stores and many large retail stores such as WalMart. They range in price from around $15 to $30.
Wilmington Parent is giving away a ThermaCell Outdoor Lantern. In addition to having the protection form pesky insects, this product also provides ambient light perfect for a campsite or backyard barbeque. Please leave a comment below if you'd like to win this prize.
