Thermacell Halo Mini Mosquito and Midge Protector

Product Information

But as someone who normally gets bitten in abundance, I was delighted to note that I didn’t receive a single mosquito bite – nor did I feel any buzzing around my bare legs and arms – once the machine was ‘warmed up'. Typically I struggle with insect bites; whether I’m on a London terrace, sitting on a beach or — heaven forbid — camping in a buggy forest, as soon as dusk hits, I get eaten alive. I tested my Thermacell on several different occasions in a city garden, sometimes for short periods of just half an hour and once over a full four-hour session. If you’re the type of person that seems to attract mosquitoes, then you probably would do anything to avoid them. Enter a little device called the Thermacell Halo Mini which claims to put an end to insect bites. It’s no-spray, scent-free, and promises 100% satisfaction. So I put it to the test…. Thermacell Halo Mini

To ensure you keep mini beasties away continuously, the blue repellent-soaked mats will turn white when they are no longer effective, so you’ll know it’s time for a change. Plus, as there’s room to store four mats in the device itself, they’ll always be close at hand. If you’re sitting outside for longer than 4 hours, remember to keep an eye on the time and the mat so you’re not caught out. To change the mat, turn the device off and wait for the grille to cool down before removing the old mat and inserting the new one. My experience has been that if used exactly as recommended - i.e. allow about 10-15 mins burn time for it to warm up, keep it completely flat and use it when there is little wind - it is pretty effective in creating a safe space within a limited sheltered area - enough for a tent entrance or for a couple of people sitting cooking" says Colin Wells. The Thermacell is less effective in certain conditions, such as wind. It’s also difficult to know when you’ve left the protective ‘bubble’, as of course, that’s invisible. To be safe, I found myself positioning the device on the ground right by where I was sitting. But I’m not sure how this would play out if you had, say, a garden party with dozens of guests.This clever indicator might be most helpful when your butane supply is running low – the temperature naturally decreases and the pulsing light will begin again. Tossing a Soft Pitch Are your Summer days ruined by those pesky mosquitoes and midges? Enjoy the outdoors and your garden midge free thanks to Thermacell’s Halo Mini. This handy, portable defence against the insects device creates a 20m Sq. protection zone to ward off unwanted intruders during your garden tea party with the kids or picnic at the park. With 12 hours’ worth of protection included (with Refills Available, and a weather-resistant cover, you won't want to be without this mozzie detterent on your next camping trip! Three insect-repelling mats (each lasts for four hours), and one butane canister (which lasts 12 hours). Each mat contains allethrin, an insect repellent that, when heated by your Thermacell device, is dispersed through the air, creating a 20m Sq. protection zone against stinging and biting menaces. End of life indicator

When the midges are swarming like a biblical plague I think it's fair to say that nothing yet invented is going to reduce the madness to bearable levels, short of giving up and going indoors. Repel five in ten and you'll still have a hundred up each nostril and thousands in your hair. On just such a midsummer evening on Skye - hot, windless and midge infested - we tried to gain some respite with the Thermacell MR150. After about half an hour of hopping around wearing headnets it still hadn't thinned out the hordes so you'd notice. Even holding the device up at head level seemed to make no difference - but then how could it? So far, so inconclusive. You know it’s working because you see a tiny orange glow through a peephole on the device’s side. But otherwise, the Thermacell is silent, scent-free, mess-free and, apart from a very faint curl of warm air as the repellent paper starts to heat and do its job, visible-emission-free. The idea of sitting in a chemical cloud doesn't really appeal, but weigh this against the possibility that you might not also have to wear insect repellent - itself often quite nasty stuff. Standing at only 16cm tall, the Halo Mini sits discreetly on your garden table, on a wall or anywhere near where you are based. It will silently create a dome of protection measuring approximately 20m². Anyone inside the protected area will be safe from midges and mosquitoes, even your pets are protected!

Thermacell review: the verdict

There are also two lanterns in the range, the Bristol and the Scout lantern. One provides soft ambient lighting (Bristol) whilst the Scout will give you bright light when needed with four light settings. The Scout can also be used as a light stand alone or as a light and protection device at the same time. I've only used this unit for a few months, but I know a man who's had one for seven years, so I thought he'd be worth asking: Summer, a wonderful time of the year, when you can sit outside and enjoy a bit of alfresco dining and entertaining… until flying insects like midges and mosquitos come out to feast on you. The Thermacell Halo flying Insect Repeller is here to save your summer. It creates a 20m square zone of bug repellent protection, so you can enjoy a peaceful outdoor dining experience. Each blue mat will turn white when it loses its insect-repelling properties, so you’ll know it’s time for a change. About the Thermacell Halo Mini Mosquito & Midge Repeller