Coghlan's
Coghlan's Mosquito Coils
Coil · EPA-registered pesticide
Pros
- The most effective kind of coil: real 0.25% allethrin that cuts bites 30 to 60% in the still air a few feet around it, for a few dollars.
- Cheap and packable for a campsite, with the active strength printed on the box.
Cons
- You have to sit in the smoke, breathing fine particulates (PM2.5) all evening.
- Only a 5 ft reach, and any breeze blows both the smoke and the protection away.
The full review
Camping-oriented allethrin coils sold by the outdoor supplier Coghlan's, packed with metal stands for use around a campsite or picnic table. Each coil smolders for several hours to put out a repellent smoke over a small area. It behaves like any coil: useful in calm, sheltered air and largely defeated by wind, and the smoke it gives off is something to keep away from your face.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%30This is an area device, not applied to skin: published field trials report roughly 30–60% fewer mosquito landings or bites, over about a 5 ft zone. Scored 60% on that reduction and 40% on how much space it protects, so a larger zone counts for real. Reduction figures come from controlled or semi-field trials, not backyard conditions. Real-world protection drops sharply in wind and open air, so this is scored with lower confidence.
This is an area device, not applied to skin: published field trials report roughly 30–60% fewer mosquito landings or bites, over about a 5 ft zone. Scored 60% on that reduction and 40% on how much space it protects, so a larger zone counts for real. Reduction figures come from controlled or semi-field trials, not backyard conditions. Real-world protection drops sharply in wind and open air, so this is scored with lower confidence.
Evidence & honest claims25%57Allethrin is well-supported by published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 56). Of 3 marketing claims audited: 1 strong, 1 moderate, 1 weak, 0 unsupported (+1).
Allethrin is well-supported by published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 56). Of 3 marketing claims audited: 1 strong, 1 moderate, 1 weak, 0 unsupported (+1).
Safety15%46This is an area device, not applied to skin, so dermal risk does not apply. Scored on moderate inhalation risk from the smoke (−18); burning it releases fine-particle smoke (PM2.5) and combustion byproducts you breathe (−14); high toxicity to fish and aquatic life (−22). Burn it outdoors in the open air only and stay out of the smoke stream, keep cats away. Keep it well away from ponds, aquariums, and water features.
This is an area device, not applied to skin, so dermal risk does not apply. Scored on moderate inhalation risk from the smoke (−18); burning it releases fine-particle smoke (PM2.5) and combustion byproducts you breathe (−14); high toxicity to fish and aquatic life (−22). Burn it outdoors in the open air only and stay out of the smoke stream, keep cats away. Keep it well away from ponds, aquariums, and water features.
Transparency15%85This product names its active ingredient (+30); discloses the strength of every active (+35); publishes a concrete coverage figure (+20).
This product names its active ingredient (+30); discloses the strength of every active (+35); publishes a concrete coverage figure (+20).
Every pillar is scored from published rules. Read how we score.
Coverage & effectiveness
This is an area device: it protects a zone around it rather than your skin. Effectiveness is the published reduction in mosquito landings or bites. Real-world protection is best in still air and drops in wind or open space.
Mosquitoes
EstimatedModerate- Protected zone
- ~5 ft zone
- Fewer bites
- 30–60%
These allethrin coils help only in still, sheltered air, where coil studies show roughly 24 to 64 percent mosquito mortality. Wind pushes the smoke off target and cuts protection quickly. Combustion releases fine particulate (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, and other byproducts, so keep the coil away from where you and others are breathing.
Ingredient disclosure
This product names its active ingredient (+30); discloses the strength of every active (+35); publishes a concrete coverage figure (+20).
Only active ingredients are disclosed. The full ingredient list (inerts/carriers) is not published, so this may not be the complete formula.
- AllethrinActive
Active repellent · 0.25%
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Kills and repels mosquitoes around your campsite”
EfficacyWeakOnly in calm air. Coil mortality runs about 24 to 64 percent in studies and falls off in any breeze, which is common at open campsites.
“Each coil burns six hours or more”
DurationModerateBurn time is generally accurate and varies with conditions.
“Compact coils with metal stands for camping”
OtherStrongAccurate product description; the pack includes coils and stands.
Safe around dogs & cats?
Worst case from this product’s active ingredients. Do not apply this or any human repellent to your pet.
Mainly from Allethrin.
Not veterinary advice. Full guide to repellents around pets →