While sitting on the patio one recent evening, I noticed a swarm of dragonflies swooping and dancing about 15 feet above my head. I was enjoying this beautiful ballet of graceful insects when I started to wonder what those dragonflies were after.

Then it hit me: they were chasing and catching the mosquitoes that weren’t bugging me.

It was the first time I used the Thermacell Mosquito Repellent the company sent me to review. Unlike mosquito repellents you have to spray on or candles you have to light with a match, Thermacell is an area repellent. The small device uses a butane cartridge to heat a repellent pad and silently release an odorless repellent that drives mosquitoes — black flies and other flying insects — away.

The repellent is a synthetic copy of the natural repellent found in chrysanthemum flowers and it really works. Once the Thermacell was clicked on, it created a nice 15-foot by 15-foot invisible bubble of protection around me.

It took about 10 minutes for Thermacell to warm up and provide protection without any open flame or hot wax. Just outside the protective zone, the dragonflies were enjoying a delicious mosquito buffet.

The company says Thermacell provides up to 50 times more protection than citronella candles. But what sold me on this product is that it’s been tested by the Environmental Protection Agency for safety and effectiveness. Plus, the U.S. Army uses it in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan.

Each small blue mat lasts up to four hours and turns white as a signal that it’s time to replace it. The company representative told me the product is most effective when the altitude is lower that 5,000 feet because the power source for the repellent function is a butane cartridge. However, it worked just fine in my mile-high Denver backyard.

The Thermacell is small enough to carry with me into the garden and place on a nearby flat surface while I’m gardening. It’s a terrific alternative to spraying myself with sticky mosquito repellent so I can garden in peace. Of course, it would be effective while grilling on the patio, hosting backyard barbeques, or taking it along while camping.

I’ve written about ways to keep insect pests out of the vegetable garden, but that’s before I tried this ingenious area repellent. Now I can add Thermacell to that list.

(Thermacell Mosquito Repellent sent a free device for me to review; opinions are always my own.)

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Flat Soaker Hose 75 150 FT for Garden Beds

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Consistent & Even Watering Drip Irrigation Hose: Makes use of a clog-resistant fabric cover recycled vinyl for consistent slow soaking seep throughout its entire length. Deliver water to the entire area that it covers. Only certain areas of your garden bed getting watered. For waste-free watering in garden beds and other tight spaces. Waters the base of the plants so less water-related leaf damage. Linkable Garden Soaker Hose For DIY Irrigation System: End to end connectable drip water hose, flexible versatile Above-ground or bury it below a up to 3-inch layer of mulch or soil; this fit with garden hose threads and come with rust resistant end caps that make it possible to connect multiple hoses and works well with timers. Maneuverability And 100% Environmentally Friendly Drip Hose: Double layer design PVC Covered With Extra-Strength Fabric material protect from sun damage than rubber weeping hose; ensure the longevity of the soaker hose, which is ideal for you using it regularly through all seasons in your garden. Made of 100% environmentally friendly recycled vinyl, pass CA65 test, water is safe for ground which makes it perfect for use with vegetables, herbs, and other edible plants. Easy To Store Flat Soaker Hose: This irrigation drip hose flat design is kink-resistant, lies flat makes it a breeze to roll up and store for next season.The flat shape also makes it simple to snake under existing plant growth. One-Year Warranty on Flat Soaker Hoses: Ensure a water pressure of 40-90 psi for best results—hot water is not suitable.

Buy at Amazon

Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.

Buy at Amazon

Corona® Multi-Purpose Metal Mini Garden Shovel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Longer Service Life: The blade of this round small shovel is made of carbon steel, which can effectively improve the hardness by high temperature quenching, and the surface has anti-rust coating to avoid rusting. In the process of use when encountering hard objects will not bend and deformation. Sturdy Structure: The small garden shovel with D-handle, ergonomically designed grip can increase the grip of the hand when using, the handle is made of strong fiberglass, will not bend and break under heavy pressure. Quick Digging: Well-made digging shovel has a sharp blade, and the round shovel head is designed to easily penetrate the soil and cut quickly while digging to enhance your work efficiency.

Buy at Amazon