The Winter Solstice Approaches

This Simple Gadget Is My New Favorite Way to Keep Mosquitos Away (and There’s a Deal on It for Prm

published Jul 2, 2020

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Credit: Lisa Freedman

To help you understand just how bad the mosquito problem is where I live in upstate New York, I briefly thought about showing you a photo of my bitten-up ankles, but thought better of it, considering this is a food site and no one needs to see that next to a gorgeous photo of potato salad . Instead, I’ll tell you this: It was 11 in the morning when I sat outside to take these photos and I must have gotten five new bites in less than five minutes. I was getting eaten alive! Until I turned on my new favorite gadget: my Thermacell Patio Shield .

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Desperate to get these mosquitos under control, I recently tried a few different bug-repelling products. I’ve written about these Madison James Flyaway Sticks before and they’re great, but they often sell out and I’ve been looking for something even easier — something I could just, say, turn on like a switch. Which brings me back to this patio shield.

Credit: Lisa Freedman

Buy: Thermacell Patio Shield , $26.94 with additional Prime Day coupon for 10 percent off (normally $34.99)

Here’s how it works: You unwrap the Mosquito Repellent mat from the wrapper (it comes with two extras, which you can store in the bottom until you need them) and slide it under the grill at the top. Then once you’ve taken the cap off, the included fuel cartridge (butane!) gets screwed into the device. To turn it on, you just turn the base (you can verify that it’s on by checking for an orange light under the grill). The device then heats the mat and the repellent starts to work its magic.

Credit: Lisa Freedman

And it really does work! It’s not instant or perfect (obviously), but I’ve learned that if I let it run for 15 minutes and then head back outside, I can actually sit out there and drink my coffee in the morning (or, better, a glass of wine at night) without having to constantly smack myself. The box says it covers a 15×15-foot area. I tend to sit, um, as close to it as possible, but my husband often sits in his rocking chair on the other side of the porch (which you can see here ) and he seems convinced that he’s bothered by fewer bugs ever since we got the Thermacell.

What I like most about this thing (other than the fact that it works) is that I don’t have to charge anything, plug anything in, or deal with open flames. I just twist the bottom and leave it. The device does get hot, so you just have to leave it alone. When it’s time to turn it off, twist the bottom and let the thing cool down. I actually just keep it on my porch all the time — whether I’m using it or not.

Because I know you’re wondering: The butane cartridge lasts for 12 hours and the repeller mat can be used for four hours before it needs to be replaced (that’s why you get three in the box). And you can get refill packs on the cheap. I already have a box of mats and fuel waiting in the wings and am ready to order on repeat to get me through the summer.
Buy: Thermacell Patio Shield Mosquito Repeller, $26.94 with additional Prime Day coupon for 10 percent off (normally $34.99)

What are you doing to keep mosquitos at bay this summer? Tell us in the comments below!

Lisa Freedman

Lifestyle Director

Lisa Freedman is the Lifestyle Director at The Kitchn. She has never met a cheese or a washi tape she didn't like. She lives in New York state with her husband and their pup, Millie.

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Source : food