ThermaCell Mosquito Repeller – Backpacker Model - Honest Review

We put the ThermaCell Backpacker Mosquito Area Repeller unit to the test against thousands of hungry mosquitos in the Canadian wilderness. No backyard patio review here! We took the ThermaCell Backpacker on two separate trips and set it up in ideal conditions to give it the best chance at successfully repelling biting mosquitos. In this video, you can easily judge for yourself whether or not the ThermaCell Backpacker Mosquito Repellent lives up to the advertised claim of providing a 15-foot x 15-foot zone of protection from biting mosquitos. You might be surprised by our results.
We also give you some great tips on how to manage mosquitoes like the ones you see in this video.

You will enjoy this video series if you hike, backpack, trek, paddle, kayak, climb, pedal, wilderness camp, or love it all!
#econochallenge #AmazingWildernessCampChair #AmazingCampBed

[Olyphoto]

I’ve heard for the Thermacell to properly protect you, you must wear it like a hat while in the crane position from the Karate Kid movie, then and only then will you be protected against what I don’t know.
Thanks for another great review! I’m no longer itching to buy one.

[TheRealJerseyJoe]

Great review, fair and very well presented. Thanks for enduring the torture M8 !

[stevengarbutt]

I think that is a solid review of that is how it is supposed to work then why over complicate the use. As one who lives in Northern Ontario these dang bugs are hard to avoid

[victoryutube]

This is the one. First search result on YouTube well done mate. Thank you

[bham]

I’m not discounting the review, it’s well done, but I have been using a thermacell portable unit for 20+ years in the swamps and the barrier islands or South GA and I’ve had great results. When mosquitoes are really active I sometimes have 2 units running and again, I’ve had fantastic results. The only place I’ve ever been that the mosquitoes were not affected by the thermacell was Alaska…too many and too big up there!

[shovelhead]

I will save my money. Thank you for the honest review, Jeep. Stay safe and stay cool

[journeyman]

Great review Jeep and thanks for taking the hit. Perhaps its good for American mosquitoes but Canadian mosquitoes are just a different breed :)
Nate

[Roarmeister]

I appreciate your review. Results may vary with each person. I found that as I get older (60's), mosquitoes are less attracted to me then when I was young (my 30's). YAY! 2nd - I hate using Deet repellent as it feels slimy uncomfortable and it attacks my sleeping bag. So usually the first thing I do when I want to sit quietly is to wash off the day's repellent, sweat, and dirt. Great, half the battle is won. I like garlic in my food so I often add this to my evening meal to help ward off mosquitoes and other bugs. Icaradin based repellents are also pretty good and don't attack nylon. I have NOT used a bug shirt but have used bug head nets. I do apply repellent around my ears and neck though because just the sound of mossies can drive me up the wall.

Mosquito coils use the same ingredient as the Thermacell so for the $/effectiveness they are better. The active ingredient is Allethrin, a synthetic version of a naturally occurring repellent found in chrysanthemum flowers. I have the backpacker version as well. It does provide some protection but isn't 100% effective. NOTE: The pads can be purchased at Princess Auto - they are cheaper in Canada at PA than what they sell retail in the US! I place the Thermacell on the ground usually behind me when I'm sitting. Often with a fire in front of me.

IIRC, you are in Ontario? Anyway, I'm from the prairies, where sage bush is very common. I pluck a few hand bundles during the day and toss them in the fire when other repellents aren't available. Its natural and it works. Not so well when fire bans are on though!

[Erdie]

I have an Amazon review with a shot of my leg regarding the portable thermacell that you reviewed before. I hung it from my camp chair, and I got annihilated. I truly think this entire product line is snake oil. I can’t be any nicer than that, it was completely and utterly ineffective.

[hovig]

Wow. Now that’s an honest review. Thank you for sharing

[ossie]

Always excellent reviews that I trust, so thank you for giving it a try Jeep!

[TheImmoralNosferatuZodd]

13:15 I can't see them too well, but i sure as shit can hear them.

[NathanHassall]

Is it possible that you are simply in an area that's so thick with mosquitoes that there are so many oncoming flying bugs at any given moment there is always mosquitoes flying by and testing you out? Possibly an over saturated testing zone. When I am in an infested zone like that even wearing deet the bugs are so thick that a certain percentage of them still attack ..When I use the thermacel under conditions where there isn't a black cloud of mosquitoes like your testing in I have found it DOES keep them away but everything has its limits.

[jeanroy]

6:14 Ideal conditions are : use the unit when there a NO Mosquitoes then it works great! I have 2 of these units also and I have the same results as yourself, they simply DO NOT WORK! Thanks for you great and honest review! Oh yea.... guess you won't be getting a cheque from Thermacell!🤣

[theoriginalrabbithole]

I have a ThermaCell300 and I don't even bother packing it anymore. It does NOTHING! It may be attracting them for all I know but even after running for 30-45 minutes, I notice no difference in the mosquitos at all.

[MarkYoungBushcraft]

The issue is the Ontario mosquitoes are used to chemical laden hot air😅. Wow Jeep, that is disturbing to say the least. I have the original style Thermacel and it has worked reasonably well for me, mostly in Kouchibouguac National Park. I have the Backpacker and EX series (rechargeable batteries) to test and this will help me plan it. Thanks for sharing

[drdd]

Thanks for the review I'm sure its accurate however... My only guess is that its region dependent, here in B.C. it works amazing. Never used it in extreme mosquito areas though just where you would get 20 bites an hour sort of thing and with it running I get zero.

[graemecamday]

Does nothing more than a traditional mosquito coil thats been used for decades at one hundred times the price

[snarkywriter]

I appreciate the test. My skin is crawling on your behalf.

[FortniteBoss]

People will always be dumb they claim this silly thing works but never have been in a real forest with them lmao and for the price of this it should definitely work.