As a native Floridian, I have hunted and fished in some of the worst mosquito infested areas you can imagine. The thermacell is a Godsend! The first year they came out, a buddy bought me one and boy, do I owe him! I've still got that original, you have to light it with a match or lighter. I have killed a multitude of deer, hogs and turkeys with it at my side and have never to my knowledge had an animal spook from the odor. Fire it up, give it about five minutes and you're mosquito free. Don't think it's working? Shut it off and see. Makes a pretty good body heater without the pad in cold weather too.