I just recently purchased a thermacell to keep the nippers at bay. I got the one that uses the earth scent. Is this the best thing next to sliced bread or just another gimmick like those mosquito coils that never work.
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I just recently purchased a thermacell to keep the nippers at bay. I got the one that uses the earth scent. Is this the best thing next to sliced bread or just another gimmick like those mosquito coils that never work.
I use a Thermacell for turkey hunting. I'm not aware of any scented options, but they may have progressed from when I bought mine. No doubt about it, they work very well as long as it is not windy and you are stationary. They still work in the wind, but not as well. I would not hunt for turkey in the late season without it.
We use ours all of the time. A sure test to see if it's working is to shut it off and see what happens after a few minutes. You'll turn it back on very quickly. These are really useful when hunting out of a blind.
(I find it hard to believe that we will have to worry about bugs in a month. It just stopped snowing here and there is another 5 cm of fresh snow.)
I have never needed to take it hunting but I have one and it definitely works.
When the bugs are out during turkey season it's as valuable as camo. I never take it out of my gear pack and also carry spare fuel and pads.
They most definitely work. The butane cartridge ran out on me during a late season turkey hunt two years ago. Had to call it quits. The bugs just about carried me away.
Great for turkey hunting and late night fishing and sippin' whiskey on the porch. Just remember that it takes about 15min. for them to start working , so turn it on before you head to your watch.
Worth their weight in gold.
Best thing since sliced bread.
You can tell when it runs out of butane, you get swarmed.
Very useful part of the hunting gear. I have a coupla them.
outback
I discovered quickly why a thermacell is a valuable piece of equipment when I was on my first turkey hunt 3 years ago.
I was determined not to move because we had two toms in sight following a hen making her way down a small hill in front of us.
OUCH! You sir are a dedicated turkey hunter :thumbup:Quote:
Originally Posted by mattadam
They work!! Enough said.
I'd leave my gun at home before I'd leave my thermacell behind!!!
As JMatthews said, if you don't think it's working, turn it off! We were getting bit some on a spring turkey hunt, so I turned it off. It was insane how many more skeeters swarmed within a minute or two.
I bought the earth scent by accident once. I prefer the original since the earth scent smells like rotting leaves and dirt, but I'm not worried about scent as a bird hunter.
The first time I used one, it didn't work at all. Was worse even. Then I realized that I forgot the pad ;) I bought one of the camo cases for it that houses some extra pads and butane so I never run out in the bush.
They don't do much when there's a stiff breeze or when you're moving quickly, but the skeeters aren't usually as bad in those cases anyway.
Dang Mattadam,That pic makes me feel itchy..I hope you got the bird for enduring that torture.
Lol. Both shoulders and arms, the top of my back and the tops of my knees looked like that. Unfortunately no I didn't get my first gobbler that year, but I learned the value of a thermacell and tagged my first bird the next spring. Now I am anxiously awaiting this years spring season, when I renewed my OOD subscription this year I ordered the turkey and fishing package that comes with a thermacell. Now I will have two of them and no excuse for mosquitoes to hassle me.
I don't leave home without it.
What he said !!!!!!! More important than decoys. !!Quote:
Originally Posted by wtrfowlr
I won't leave home during late turkey season without it. It's a lifesaver. Best money I've spent on turkey gear!
Fantastic tool for late season turkey hunting.
Just one caution to everyone using one - don't forget to TAKE OUT the fuel cartridge after you're done using it!
If you leave the fuel cartridge in the device the feed nozzle can plug up over time & it won't work after that, even with a fresh cartridge in it.
I learned this lesson 4 years ago the hard way!
Fortunately the Thermacel company stands behind their products - they sent me a new one free of charge.
I am definitely glad this post came up i was pondering getting one, read reviews on sellers pages with mixed reviews but this it seals the deal i will be getting one or 2.
Buy one without a doubt!!!
they work great. i add a bounce dryer sheet tucked into the back of my hat. never had them buzzing my head for 3 years now...
last season we forgot to bring our thermacells with us about mid season to a swampy bush. we applied DEET about 8 times each and actually sat and sprayed the mosquitoes with DEET and they still kept coming back for more. By the middle of the hunt I was not even paying attention to whether there were turkeys around I just was blasting mosquitoes with repellent to no avail.
I have been in similar conditions late season even with a thermacell and it works wonders even in the worst conditions. It is not cheap to run it, but I wouldn't enter the turkey woods without one now.
Never go in the turkey woods without one!
Can you give a little more detail about this method....Quote:
Originally Posted by gconnor972
I too have a thermal cell but never got around to using it as I am not much of a sitter....
sorry frati, iwas away at my sons hockey tournament. plain bounce dryer sheet. i put one in my hat. sometimes in the and bag it overnight. last 2 years been spraying my immediate hunting area with regular listerine(mouthwash).seems to work great
Love the Thermacell!
For you guys close to the Canadian Tire in Kemptville, I bought 2 there over the weekend for $21.99 + tx. They are on clearance. Now here is the interesting part. They are $29.99 in the new hunting section (green or camo). The grey ones in the Pest Control section are the exact same thing without the colour shell.
I got home and sure enough black and green markers worked great to create a camo shell without the added cost of "Hunter version"
I wish they would repel ticks, but they worlk amazing for skeeters
I never go turkey hunting without it. It also was a life saver sitting in the stand in early September hunting bear. I was worried too that it was a gimmick when I bought it, but it works exactly like it is supposed to.
I have used it a few times now, I have found to be most effective when in a blind as mentioned. I remember one late season day last year, the wind was blowing but not enough to keep the bugs away. It was blowing just enough to keep my Thermocell from working. I had to pack it in as I felt like a docked battleship at Pearl Harbor in '41. If you hunt in the woods the bugs are definitely going to be bad late season, my one spot is in a grazing meadow that holds some moisture along with cow patties scattered all over from the fall before. The bugs get bad to say the least. I will however try the Thermocell out again this season!
Getting excited!
W
My son purchased one last year for hunting in the ground blind, huge difference, I'd be concerned about the earth scent though, apparently the standard has no smell, I find that hard enough to believe but generating a fake, man made smell on purpose would make me pass.
LOL ..........I never leave home with out mine heading into the bush they just work
Joe
I use a Thermacell for spring turkey hunting and it works great. As others have said it, it is less effective on windy days but it is still useful even then.
I'm practically convinced bears are on to the thermacell scent and they know it means trouble. Mind you hunting in full camo in warm August weather, I probably let off a bit of scent myself but after a few days seeing nothing, then leaving the TC at camp, he came out in the open. Perhaps coincidence or after the three days I was sufficiently "scented in" but I'm hopefully gonna try that experiment again this August, and leave the TC at camp the first few days if I can stand the blood loss. In any event, works great for turkey season, and I'm gonna bring it for the earlier bow seasons this fall just in case as well.
Yesterday was my 2nd trip for Turkey (never hunted Turkey before). Based on this thread, I decided to carry along a Thermacell. I'm mostly certainly glad that I did otherwise the mosquitoes would've eaten us alive. Simple 15 minute walk through the green bush in order to reach the blind was sheer torture and I've never been bitten so badly since I had left the tropics.
Once the device was fully functional (took aprox 10 minutes), cleared out the inside of the blind quickly and we sat absolutely undisturbed for about 6 hrs......otherwise would've been impossible to sit that long. Wish I had this thing in my younger days while hunting big game in the Himalayan foothills. :)
Was out this morning and fired up the themacell before even leaving the car @ 4:00am. Who knew the mosquito's would be so bad at that time. Got to the first spot for a sit and could see the swarm outside the invisible barrier with a few stragglers breaking through. After a few hours I decided to move to another spot. Came out into a field and busted by 2 birds. Did the immediate retreat and bushwhack around to get to the spot for the sit. Upon arriving it was evident that the Theracell was no longer with me. I had clipped it to the vest pocket and never noticed it gone until the swarm. sat it out for a while but was soon overtaken and left. I retraced my path twice and found the unit right at the field edge where I hit the ground to retreat upon seeing the turkeys in the field. Won't leave home without one at this time of the year. I have a coupla these units.
outback
Funny, was sitting in the bush all weekend and got eaten alive. I remmeber thinking about the therma-cell I bought for when I take the GF camping and wishing I had it. Always figured it was a gimmick but at that point I was ready to try anything. I was drenched in deet but still got eaten alive by mosquitos and also brought home a few ticks :S
It's amazing how it just forms a little bubble around you. The dome. Does anyone use the dark earth scent pads? I use those. Smells something similar to compost. Or mushrooms. Worked like a charm. I also go with a double barrier. Don't leave home without the bug spray. With both working in my corner the nippers stayed at bay.
I got the earth scented ones. I don't really see the point, as the original isn't supposed to smell to animals (doubt it). the one thing I do like about the earth scent is you can tell its running out when the scent is less strong, but another good indicator of the pad running out is that the skeeters start moving closer.
I wont go turkey hunting without one. However I am on my third unit, they keep not lighting for me after a while. but the company will take them back for life, it is just that I keep forgetting to send them back..
OMG everybody is using thoes. Well where I come from "REAL MEN" just ignore the bugs. When I was a kid in the backwoods of Miramichi mosquitoes were as big as bats, heck sometimes they attacked the bats.:silly:
Either you folks all have stock options in Thermacell, or the mosquitoes here in Burnt River are a totally new inbred species that like the repellant. I just hit Crappy Tire and picked up a Thermacell. A total, dismal failure. It's going back to the store tomorrow. About as useful as teats on a boar-pig. Had it smoking away for more than 60 mins and it pretty much did jack. Completely perfect conditions with a 1kph wind, and it would barely clear a 3X3 foot area. We still got eaten alive. Four of us in lawnchairs within 3 feet of it, and we saw pretty much 95% of the swarm that was in the untreated area. Both a citronella candle, and a 30 cent Pic coil does a better job. It's expensive to purchase, expensive to operate, and it's a POS. I'll go back to my can of Deep Woods.
Sounds like the one you got might have been faulty? We're going out for turkey the last time tomorrow. Kinda like going into the third period and being down 5 to 1. The Thermacell has not been needed yet but it will be this time as it will be T-shirt weather and the bugs will be hungry.
I'll give it one more try before returning it. I looked up more info on it, and it's the same allethrin that's in pic coils, but 10X stronger (22%) than the coil. It's gotta work, as I do see some relief with the coils. I've got to pile firewood today down in our swamp, and you can hear the swamp humming from the house! . I'll do a "before and after" test with it. Has anybody done refilling like you see on YouTube - install refill nipple on butane cylinder base so bottles can easily be refilled? There also lots on re-using the pads. Looks like allethrin is not available , so you use permithrin from the horse tack store. Do a 6:1 dilution of permithrin to water (apparently you need the water for vaporization of the permithrin), then use an old Visine bottle to add 8 drops to an old pad. The one guy adds two drops of food colour to the solution, so it has the same colour change when the pad is exhausted. I see that permithrin is the chem used in most tick repellants, so it has potential in repelling them too. Anyone had experience doing the home refill thing? One guy refills his own butane bottles, then just uses Pic coils - breaks them into little pieces and puts them onto the heating plate, through the plastic vents. It's only 10% the allethrin that a pad has, so it prob. wouldn't be as effective.
Nope, haven't tried refilling yet but I will now! Princess Auto sometimes has the unit and refill kits on for pretty cheap relative to Canadian Tire. I'll stop at the co-op tomorrow on my way back from the turkey quest and see if they have permithrin. Say Fenelon, you seeing any turkeys around? I've been hunting the Ganaraska and Kawartha areas and have seen nothing more than two hens in a ditch.
Both our deer and our turkeys took a pounding this past winter. Based on the flock sizes I saw around Burnt River in November, vs. in early April, I'd estimate that we lost 75% of our birds. I'd been watching two big flocks all fall where I trap. One flock of 33 birds in late December, was down to 6 by April 10th. A second flock of 27 had 11 by April. Things seem better south of Cameron. They had a much easier winter, even though it's only 20 mins. south. I didn't even fill my tag this year. Wish the MNR would drop the stupid fall hunt. It may be a good idea in southern areas with high densities and crop predation, but it's bad management up here in the northern area of WMU 75. This year is a perfect example. We just lost three quarters of our birds this past winter, and you're still allowed to shoot hens in the fall. Stupid is as stupid does.
Thanks, if nothing else, this helps verify I haven't completely lost my touch! I'm posting this on Turkey hunting... would you believe a Turkey walking down my street last Monday? Downtown Pickering. What's up with that?
Buy your butane refills at Shoppers not a sporting goods store. The butane curling irons use the same cartridge and you'll pay much less.
The thermocells work on black flies as well,they almost carried me away the other day bear hunting.
One of the best piece of equipment to ever exist. When I saw it, I just figured it was another piece of equipment bound for failure but after trying it out I never looked back. It amazed me on how well i actually worked. :)
Maybe he forgot to take the pad out of the foil packet! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Kraken
I was skeptical about the thermacell too, until I got one this spring. I never got a chance to use it in the turkey woods, but I used it at an outside BBQ/party, and our table at the party was bug free for the most part. As soon as I went for a visit at the next table.....yikes! Millions of skitters! I do believe it works.
S.
We have had one sitting in the equipment drawer unused .... that was until we arrived in Alaska this week to run the NAHRA Invitational. Started the Thermacell up and had it hanging in the dog truck (with the breezeway doors open to ensure fresh air) and it works wonderfully to keep the bugs off the dogs!!
Have 2 of them and they are both ready (case I drop one in the water) to go for fishing tomorrow as well. Love them and refill the cartridges all the time, got it off of the internet. Will look into the curling iron refills as well thanks for the info. They work and are worth the money.
I almost never use repellent but I wonder with these things what the toxic profile is. I've never heard of death by bug but deet is bad news. Anyone else wonder about this? I remember as a kid people would have those coils burning everywhere and they sure aren't fun to breath. Don't get me wrong I hate bugs and they like me but and old fishing guide told me "if you let 'em finish their business they won't leave a bump" and for all but the heaviest clouds of buzzers this woks for me.
I don't believe that Deet has much of a side affect you are using it in a small amount. Technically anything in large doses is harmful even asprin.
Mind ya Deet taste awful if you get any in your mouth.
West Nile virus is in Ontario. While most do not die, some do. And cases are increasing.Quote:
Originally Posted by gubbz
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/wnv-vwn/m...g.php#a2008_12
The number one rule off toxicology is "the poison's in the dose". Your body expels deet (through urine) as fast as it asorbs it. It's not cumulative so it can't build up in your body to a level where it could do any harm. Completely harmless unless you're soaking in a vat of it for several hours.Quote:
I don't believe that Deet has much of a side affect you are using it in a small amount. Technically anything in large doses is harmful even asprin.
Mind ya Deet taste awful if you get any in your mouth.
When you put the 12 hr pads in, are they 1 use only or can you use it for a few hrs one day then a few hrs another day?
Scott ... We used the pads until they totally turned white, whether that was in a single use or multiple uses.Quote:
Originally Posted by Labber
Never heard of Malaria? Mosquitoes indirectly kill more people per year than anything else. I guess you're partially right though, Malaria isn't a worry here and you probably have more of a chance of being hit by lightening than dying from west-nile.Quote:
Originally Posted by gubbz
As for the Therma-cell, we used them the weekend before last in Algonquin park and I was absolutely amazed at how well they work. Conditions would have been close to unbearable for the kids (9 and 6) that were on the trip but once the unit was fired up, we only had the odd one come around. Best piece of gear we had.
The disease is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions in a broad band around the equator, including much of Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The World Health Organization estimates that in 2010, there were 219 million documented cases of malaria. That year, the disease killed between 660,000 and 1.2 million people,[1] many of whom were children in Africa. The actual number of deaths is not known with certainty, data is unavailable in many rural areas, and many cases are undocumented. Malaria is commonly associated with poverty and may also be a major hindrance to economic development.Quote:
Originally Posted by GW11
Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Mosquitoes cause more human suffering than any other organism -- over one million people worldwide die from mosquito-borne diseases every year. Not only can mosquitoes carry diseases that afflict humans, they also transmit several diseases and parasites that dogs and horses are very susceptible to. These include dog heartworm, West Nile virus (WNV) and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). In addition, mosquito bites can cause severe skin irritation through an allergic reaction to the mosquito's saliva - this is what causes the red bump and itching. Mosquito vectored diseases include protozoan diseases, i.e., malaria, filarial diseases such as dog heartworm, and viruses such as dengue, encephalitis and yellow fever. CDC Travelers' Health provides information on travel to destinations where human-borne diseases might be a problem.
Malaria
Chikungunya
Dog Heartworm
Dengue
Yellow Fever
Eastern Equine Encephalitis
St. Louis Encephalitis
LaCrosse Encephalitis
Western Equine Encephalitis
West Nile Virus
I used one for the first time last weekend. We have a 15ft Trillium trailer. Normally the first hour at bedtime is buzz & swat central. Turned it on after dinner. What a pleasure to go to bed after a busy day and not have a single bug of any kind.
Now I heard you can refill the fuel and was told how to do it but I havent heard of the perfect way to make your own replacement pads.... Has anyone made any homemade pads that work in the thermo cell?
The pads are only good for about four hours, when I turn mine off and pad still blue I disconnect the butane cartridge (read that somewhere) and put it in a ziplock. Works very well for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Labber
sorry, I put the whole unit in a ziplock, just re-read my last post:)
Essential for late season turkey hunt, although I hunted hard in the first two weeks to avoid mosquitoes. I hunt moose in the first season in September, worked well last year sitting in the mossy black spruce forests of northern ontario. Don't leave home without it. We also use them while judging fox hound trials, nothing like a wet swampy area at 5.30 am.Quote:
Originally Posted by Goosesniper
I have had two units break. sent one back last week and within a week I had it sent back fixed (however I haven't tried it yet).
they have a basically no questions asked lifetime warranty from what I understand.
great product!!
I use mine extensively in Turkey season, does a great job on mosquitos
Had mine for about 5 years now without a single issue, does a great job keeping those pests at bay. I use my all the time fishing and moose hunting. I won't use it when I hunt for deer or bear. I know for certain that they will be able to pick up the scent of it.
I bought a couple this year for camping and could not believe how well they worked.
I love my thermocell. Got it from my OODmag subscription. Already bought refills since spring turkey season was murder with bugs. Saved my for sure. Works like a charm..............a bug charm!
Reviving a old thread!
I love the Thermacells, have been using them for years.
I have refilled the butane cylinders many times, no need to install a valve, there is a much easier way.
Pull out the brass nipple, I use nail pullers or side cutters, just don't squeeze too hard as it is brass.
Look down the hole, you will see a check valve. Take a #6 or #8 self tapping screw and screw it in the check valve a few threads. Pull out the screw and check valve with one good pull.
Re-install brass nipple and voila, refillable for pennies!
You may need to cut a notch in the Butane can so the liquid will flow, lots of videos on YouTube, that's where I learnt it.
I have aways had good luck with the coils. Put one near you and one up wind and I have never had a problem. I have also taken my broken coils and inserted them in the Thermacell with good results. But to be honest, at that point why not just burn a coil? Burning the coils smells more, so if not hunting I find the tin coil holders to work well. I have two Bug Kits, each contain Mosquito Shield 30% DEET, two Thermacells, two tin coil holders and refills for both. I haven't been bugged by bugs in years!
The key is UPWIND!
I've refilled a few of the butane cartridges. I also marked and left them for a week just to see if they leaked or not. Butane is quite volatile so if you attempt this do so with extreme caution.
outback
Used one last spring worked great . Ready to go
Thermacell makes great products. I also have the heated insoles and they saved my feet last deer season. A+
Hunt like a cave man. Tackle it with your bare hands and a heavy stick.Quote:
Originally Posted by 4weight
I was wondering about this. I suppose it wouldn't really be an issue in deer or bear season though. Usually the bugs are bearable by late august and early September.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hardwater
Have one for many years now. Just lighted it-up on a turkey hunt this week, still works like a charm. It is the best piece of hunting equipment for me.
Simply a MUST going anywhere in the bush. It has saved me numerous amounts of time.
When they first came out,I bought the themocell seems like forever,lol.it was must for spring bear hunts and some years I've used them for deer. Always in my bag.Quote:
Originally Posted by Karl Marques
can you buy just the pads? this is a great idea, however I only have seen the pads and butane sold together, so therefore you will always end up purchasing butane.Quote:
Originally Posted by Reelair
I never leave home without it! It has revolutionized the spring Turkey hunt and camping and evenings on the patio. I have three and love them.
Never used one but after reading all the positive infor how good they are I may have to buy one to try.
I forgot my Thermacell about a week ago when I went on a Turkey hunt, wow was that a short hunt! Forget it one time and you'll know how good it really does work!!
What a waste bringing it this morning. Was just extra gear to haul around as the FEAK'IN FROST kept the skeeters at bay. Was going to light it up without the pad in to see if it would generate a little heat.
outback
Well now is a good time to pick one up. Having heard good results decided to purchase 1 yesterday at Bass Pro 19.97 after manufacturer rebate figured can't go wrong.
I picked one up at bass pro yesterday as well.
Read your rebate.... Must be bought before May 10 and valid ONLY IN US.
Still not a bad price without the rebate.