I just started using one this year. They definitely work on misquitoes but not on bees or flies which i'm OK with. I was worried about the scent too but I finally realized this year that if a deer comes down wind of you when it is warm enough to use a thermacell your screwed anyway. between sweat and boots and bows and everything else when its warm outside you better just play the wind instead of trying to beat it. same reason i don't spend $200 on scentlock clothes.