I'm Done With Citronella. This $35 Device Keeps Mosquitos at Bay Without the Odor
The Thermacell works better than any mosquito repellant I've tried.
David Watsky/CNET
Massachusetts-based Thermacell makes a line of devices designed to keep mosquitoes at bay by misting the air around with an odorless chemical that keeps bugs from biting. I tested the smallest of its devices, the Thermacell Radius E-series with fast charging dock, which defends pests in a 20-foot radius and costs just $40 on Amazon (currently on sale for $35), REI and other retailers.
How does the Thermacell work?
The rechargeable device releases a trickle of vapor, similar to an oil diffuser, that contains a synthetic version of a chemical found in the chrysanthemum flower. (The rechargeable Radius model uses metofluthrin; the other models use allethrin.) According to Griffin Dill, an integrated pest management professional at the University of Maine I spoke to, these compounds excite insects' neuroreceptors, which dissuades them from feeding. Because of this, you might still see bugs flying around but they're far less likely to bite you.
Thermacell
I also spoke with Thermacell's Senior Product Director Adam Goess, who performs research and testing in the company's sprawling laboratory in the swamps of Florida -- the mosquito capital of America. As of our speaking, they've found the device to be effective in deterring dozens of species of mosquitos and even black flies and biting gnats.
In my testing, it worked just as advertised. I ran the Thermacell around my outdoor dining table and lounge setup on five evenings during twilight when bugs are particularly ravenous. My yard has a pool, so you can only imagine the sort of swarms that descend on the space during summer.
Read more: Add These Bug-Repelling Plants to Your Kitchen Today
Each time, friends and I waited until we felt the first bites and broke out the Thermacell, placing it in the middle. In all five instances, the bug bites stopped as the mist made its way out of the softball-sized device. While bites were neutralized, we could still see the occasional mosquito darting about.
A few drawbacks
Pods last for about 36 hours and each one costs $20.
David Watsky/CNET
Thermacells are fueled by small pods. Those last for about 36 hours when run continuously before you'll need a refill. Refill pods cost about $20, but I found a two-pack, good for 72 hours of repelling, for $22 on QVC. Needless to say I jumped on the deal.
Considering the buggiest parts of the evening only last an hour or so, you can stretch a single pod for a month or more if you remember to turn it off when you're done or the bug hour is over. And only use it when you need it, not every time you hang outside.
Also, the Thermacell only works when it's charged and not while charging on the dock. So if you've forgotten to charge it before the bugs come, there's no recourse or backup plan and you'll have to wait until it regains some juice.
A Thermacell won't work while on its charging dock, so be sure that it's charged before the bug hour begins.
David Watsky/CNET
Though he hadn't tried the Thermacell himself, Dill said that he had heard good things from colleagues. He steered us away from a few other popular anti-mosquito products:
Those mosquito-repellent bracelets that look like old-fashioned telephone cords: They don't work.
Citronella candles: Those don't work.
Those organic essential oils favored by hippies like my wife: Dill wasn't willing to say they don't work, but he did point to the dearth of research about their efficacy and safety.
Amazon includes a Proposition 65 warning for California residents that discloses that Thermacell's repellent contains chemicals known to cause cancer and birth defects. Allethrin and metofluthrin are also toxic to some animals including birds, fish, bees and cats. Dill said that "though the potential for harm to humans is there, it's probably low," but he cautioned to use these devices in moderation and never indoors.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
You Can Still See the Aurora Borealis Tonight. Here's Where the Brightest Lights Will Glow
The Fourth of July holiday will bring explosive light shows on Friday night, but many folks will see much quieter and calmer lights in the sky tonight, as recent solar activity will continue to bring the Aurora Borealis to several US states. Wednesday night marks the winding down of a Kp 4 magnetic storm that the Space Weather Prediction Center reported starting late Monday evening. The K-Index measures the horizontal impact of geomagnetic storms, and a Kp4 or Kp 5 rating results in what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration calls a "moderate" aurora. As Wednesday night turns into Thursday morning, the aurora will pull back a little and become less visible, unless you're on the northern border with Canada. According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, Wednesday night's aurora will be visible in Alaska, Washington state, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine. The northernmost sections of New York, Vermont and New Hampshire might get lucky as well. Alaska and Canada will have the best views by a wide margin, with virtually the entire state of Alaska getting coverage. Much like with the Earth's weather, space weather prediction can be hit or miss. So if you're in any of the above states, it's worth taking a look if you're up that late. The magnetic storm may be slightly stronger or weaker than forecast, which will affect how far south the northern lights reach. This event won't be as strong as the epic show we saw in May 2024. The standard space viewing tips all apply here. You'll get a better view if you get away from the city and suburbs to avoid light pollution. Weather will play a role as well, since any clouds will obfuscate the view. If you attempt to photograph the aurora, we recommend using long exposure times to give your camera more time to soak in the light. Other than that, you'll want to look toward the northern horizon to give yourself the best chance at a good view, since (as you may've guessed) that's where the northern lights originate.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
5 Science-Backed Reasons Your Chest Won't Grow
Aside from stubborn calves, there's one muscle group that seems to be hard to build for even the most dedicated lifters: the chest. You bench. You press. You even throw in cable flyes for good measure. And yet—nothing. No mass, no pop, no pec shelf to speak of. While you could blame your parents (yes, genetics play a small role), there's a good chance your chest is lagging for far less mysterious reasons. Recently, Mike Israetel, Ph.D., exercise scientist and co-founder of Renaissance Periodization, interviewed sports scientist Pak Androulakis-Korakakis, Ph.D., to break down the five common mistakes that explain why so many guys struggle to grow their pecs. Spoiler: They're not exactly groundbreaking, but they are probably what's holding you back from the ideal years, there's been a debate: Should you lift heavy or crank out more volume? While technically you can (and probably should) do both in the name of hypertrophy, Androulakis-Korakakis says bumping up your volume could be the real game-changer when it comes to building muscle. "If chest is one of these lagging body parts for you, hitting it with 20 or even 30 sets per week is a good educated bet," he says. When it comes to your session training volume, you don't want to do everything in one session, so when I say 20 to 30 sets, ideally split those in two to three sessions so you can get high-quality sets very close to failure." Compound exercises are a must in every man's routine. They hit multiple muscle groups, boost your pressing power, and build serious strength. But if you're trying to zero in on your chest—and only your chest—then isolation moves aren't optional, they're essential. "When it comes to bringing up your chest as a lagging body part, you want to keep roughly 50 to 60 percent of your exercises as isolation exercises," Androulakis-Korakakis adds. "Meaning things like double flies, cable flies, machine flies, exercise that pretty much isolates the chest, so you can make sure that your chest is getting as much stimulus as possible."It's tempting to go lighter, especially when you're chasing higher volume. But according to Androulakis-Korakakis, that's one of the biggest reasons your chest might not be growing. When it comes to building muscle, lifting to—or at least close to—failure is key. If you're not pushing yourself there regularly, you could be leaving gains on the table. According to Androulakis-Korakakis, bodyweight exercises are one of the most underrated types of exercises for building size. They offer an "amazing stretch, barely any warm-up required, super easy to progress, even if you're an advanced lifter, and in general, easy exercises that you can sprinkle on top of other sessions to get more volume," he says. Pausing during sets has long been debated—is it actually effective, or just a way to look like you're grinding harder? According to Androulakis-Korakakis, it's more than just show. Strategic pauses can boost time under tension, which has quite literally been shown to drive muscle growth. "Choose exercises that place a lot of tension in the stretch and do your best to pause stuff in the stretch," he says. "The pause is not going to take away from your gains, and it will likely allow you to be a bit more efficient with the weights that you use. It will make the exercise harder, and it will give you more space to progress." 5 Science-Backed Reasons Your Chest Won't Grow first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 3, 2025
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Eating Cheese Before Bed May Cause Nightmares, Study Finds
Consuming cheese before bed could lead to 'bizarre or disturbing dreams' A study involving 1,082 participants was conducted by Frontiers in Psychology Sweets are the leading cause of sleep-related disturbances, according to the studyYou may want to steer clear of cheese before bed if you're hoping to have sweet dreams! On Monday, June 30, Frontiers in Psychology published results of a study with 1,082 participants, sharing how 'food affects their dreams, including whether specific foods influence dreams directly (food-specific effects), through physiological symptoms (food distress), via altered sleep quality (sleep effects).' Researchers measured the results on the Nightmare Disorder Index, defined by the National Institute of Health (NIH) as 'an efficient and valid self-report assessment of nightmare disorder.' Cheese may not be the sole culprit, but dairy scored 22% on the Nightmare Disorder Index, while desserts and sweets came in at 31%. 'The effect was also associated with food allergies and Gluten Intolerance, while worse sleep perceptions were tied to Lactose Intolerance. Nightmare Disorder Index scores were strongly associated with Food Allergy and Lactose Intolerance, the latter being mediated by the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms,' Frontiers in Psychology reported. Their results found that 'food sensitivities, particularly Lactose Intolerance, as contributors to nightmare prevalence.' Additionally, 'dairy-induced gastrointestinal symptoms' can contribute to 'bizarre or disturbing dreams.' Frontiers in Psychology also stated that the theory has existed for years, citing an early 20th century cartoonist named Winsor McCay who 'published bizarre dreams that the cartoon's protagonists frequently attributed to having eaten Welsh rarebit — a spicy melted cheese toast — or other cheese dishes prior to sleep.' Marie-Pierre St-Onge, the director at the Center of Excellence for Sleep & Circadian Research at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, told NBC News, 'If you have GI issues, that could account for a lot of what's happening in terms of your sleep disturbances that could be associated with different dreams.' Patrick McNamara, an associate professor of neurology at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine who studies the brain and sleep, also told the outlet that people who are lactose intolerant but still eat foods that contain dairy can trigger 'micro-arousals' that disturb sleep quality, resulting in stronger nightmares. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Tore Nielsen, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Montreal who has studied the topic, does not think that the condition, in most cases, is serious enough to consult a doctor. Read the original article on People
