Fuel-ZoneGuard Extreme Fuel Powered Mosquito Repeller, Green | 15-FT Zone; Portable Outdoor Protection; 12Hr Refill; Camp; Hunt; Bug Spray Alternative; Patio Shield; Scent Free; DEET-Free

The Thermacell really works! (it's not 100%, but it pretty damn good and a life saver if the mosquitoes are out!) And for the most part, you do get about a 15 foot zone of protection against mosquitos. For whatever reason, I don't think it's quite as effective against the noseeums. It takes a few minutes after turning it on before you get the advertised 15 foot zone of protection. Wind does affect the size and shape of that zone of protection. There are different models of Thermacell, but I liked this one because its small. They do have a backpacking model that's even smaller, but it requires a separate gaz cartride to use; which imposes some logistic problems when using it for backpacking (i.e. if you only have one gaz cartridge remaining on a backpacking trip, you can't cook and use the backpacking model at the same time) For this model you need to use Themacell's small cartridge. The thermacell itself does not require batteries to use. Thermacell does have a model that includes a lantern; that model does require batteries if you intent to use the lantern. The Thermacell works by using a very small micro flame that heats a chemically treated pad. When the Thermacell is turn on, you don't really notice any smells. Thermacell claims that whatever chemical they are releasing into the air is safe for humans. When new, the treated pad's are a blue color. As you burn them, they turn white. When the pad looses it blue color, you need to replace the pad. The one drawback to the Thermacell is that the cartridge and pads replacements are a little more expensive than you would like them to be (i.e Amazon sells 48 hours refill kits for ~$20-$25). The Thermacell has a small peek hole with a lens that allow you to see if the flame is actually ignited. When you look through the peek hole you only have a small viewing angle to observe if the flame is on or not. Once the flame is on, you can move the device around; I've never had the flame go out by moving the device around. You need to move the switch to the off position to turn the flame off. To start the Thermacell you turn the devices switch on and push the igniter button. It may take a couple to clicks to start. You'll need to look through the peek hole to know for sure if it's turned on or not. When using the device, the area above the treated pad gets a little warm; I don't think there's any really fire safety concern in using the device.

Absolutely can’t beat this product for keeping mosquitoes at bay. At this price point it was a no brainer. For those saying it doesn’t work - read the instructions. See image below. 😏

This works!! Have been using this model thermocell for years and I swear by it. I typically set it on a board or something as venting it seems to work better. It’s easy to install the butane and pad and I never have a problem with it starting right away. You can definitely tell when it’s not working as people will start complaining “is the thermoelectric working? I am getting bit again!” Which means time to replace the pad or butane. Gotta have for our campground area!

⁃ The package comes with the MR300 repeller, 1 fuel cartridge and 3 repellent mats. ⁃ Make sure that, as you purchase this MR300 repeller, purchase the refills (both fuel cartridge and repellent mats) at the same time as the mats and fuel cartridges run out really quickly. One mat lasts for 4 hours only. Therefore, you will have no mats after only 12 hours once you have used the 3 mats provided! This will save you the aggravation of having to wait for the refills sent to you in the mail as the mosquitoes continue to bite you! Needless to state, the repeller only works with the fuel cartridges and mat repellers. ⁃ Make sure you buy the Thermacell MR300 holster as well. It doesn’t come with the holster. The holster is important if you are walking or doing chores and you want to attach the MR300 repeller to your pants or tent. Without the holster, you’ll be forced to carry it with you all over the place as the claim of 15 feet isn’t true. (See below) ⁃ Each fuel repellent mat does last for 4 hours. ⁃ The fuel cartridge lasts for 8 hours at the very maximum. ⁃ This means that you will constantly have to buy both the fuel cartridge refills and the repellent mats. I bought the 120 hour pack but there is a 12 hour, 36 hour, 72 hour and even 300 hour pack! ⁃ The repeller works most of the time but there is going to be one or 2 ‘Thor’ mosquitoes that will tolerate the smoke emitted by the repeller and bite you. However, most mosquitoes will keep away. In a day of working in a garage with the doors opened, I got bit once or twice. Before the repeller, I would have to take numerous breaks or apply some Woods repellent spray on myself. ⁃ It doesn’t affect flies. Just mosquitoes. For flies, look for another product. ⁃ You have to have the product very close to you for it to work. The ‘15 feet’ claim is not true. More like 3 feet. You have to have the repeller very close to you at all times for it to be effective. ⁃ It gets hot to the touch, so be careful when handling it. Only grab it from the sides and not the area where the mat is placed.

I really like this item I had to buy a second I live in the woods I put them out and the mosquitoes stay away

Advice at bottom: I’ve been using thermacells my whole life for hunting and my friend mentioned how good they were and that he wanted his own. I took to Amazon to get him one as a gift and out of curiosity read the reviews first. It caught me off guard and made me hesitate to see such split star ratings. After reading them, though, I understood AND disregarded the bad reviews and bought it anyway. I would also be critical if I had never used a product and my first experience was with one that didn’t work at all. However, having used these, I know that they’re finicky and do, in fact, just stop working sometimes. Usually they’re just finicky and you can relight it and carry on, but sometimes they truly do just take a crap on you. When they work properly, though, BOY do they work! They’re fantastic at repelling mosquitos, even– and especially– when the mosquitos are dense, hungry, and the size of birds. Not only do you not have to wear any stinky sticky bug spray, but you also don’t have to deal with the mosquitos buzzing all up in your business looking for a spot of skin that you missed. If the thermacell is on, you and your nearby friends can be unbothered completely! In areas that are bad with bugs, you can tell immediately when the gas or flame went out because you’ll suddenly be eaten alive without the peaceful bug haven. Having gone from peace to feast multiple times in these situations, I’ve only come to like thermacells more for how insanely well they work when they work correctly. P.S. they stay lit best if they’re sideways. P.P.S. My dad taught me that the trick if it isn’t lighting is sometimes to not screw the butane cartridge in too tightly. Just until there’s resistance. Also, wait a moment after powering it on to attempt to light it, just like a gas grill. Another trick would be to flip the repellant pads over before tossing them to get more life out of them. Once they ARE toast, it’s easiest to use the new pad itself to push the old one out. Otherwise they’re difficult to fiddle with sometimes. My best advice for those who own or are buying one is— refills of the butane are expensive but you can YouTube how to refill them. Not hard at all, they still work, and it’s MUCH cheaper. Moving around with it isn’t as effective as using it when stationary, like camping, sitting on a porch, in a shed, or in a treestand/nature watching. It’s also not the best with wind or if you’re using a fan for somewhat obvious reasons. The fumes build a bubble of protection around you so that you don’t even get “buzzed”, if you’re stationary. I’ve known all of those things and forgot to mention them, but stand by my 5 stars. If you’ve ever truly been eaten alive (ex: Everglades or Alaska), anything is better than no protection. And this one works.

This! It works! In the first 5 minutes or so I slapped several mosquitos off my legs. After that I have had NONE! I was in my garden picking blackberries, then I sat down on the deck. Not a single mosquito near me, and I’ve been eaten up every time I come out, even with bug spray on! It has a tiny butane flame under the blue pad. It takes a few minutes to warm up, and then it’s amazing! I’m so excited!

The previous version of these were amazing. This version has everything made cheaper, so it doesn't work as well and likely won't last as long. I guess this is happening with everything now, build it cheaply and charge more money for it, regardless how much the functionality and usefulness suffer for it. I should know, I have the previous version and it's twice as good as this one. The new version doesn't allow the flame to be seen inside of it through the top window as well, the belt clip broke off the first day of use due to being built cheaply, the case around it doesn't fit as well and the flint stricker sounds cheap when you go to start it. Maybe I'm just spoiled from having an actual good version previous to this cheap one.

This item does not work at all! In fact it seems to attract mosquitoes rather than repel them.