OFF!
OFF! Mosquito Lamp
Spatial Device · EPA-registered spatial repellent device
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Pros
- A cheap little lantern that throws a real, if small, mosquito-free zone, cutting bites up to 97% within about 5 feet.
- No spray and no flame; the stronger 9.1% metofluthrin does a candle's job without the scent-and-smoke theater.
Cons
- The zone is only about 5 feet, so it covers one chair, not a whole patio.
- The vapor is highly toxic to fish, so keep it away from ponds and aquariums.
The full review
Candle-powered area repeller that uses the heat of a small candle to vaporize a metofluthrin diffuser, spreading a mosquito-repelling vapor over roughly a 10-by-10-foot zone (about 100 square feet) around a patio or table rather than treating your skin. It needs no batteries or fuel canister, just a candle, and doubles as a decorative outdoor lamp. The protected zone is smaller than the larger heated repellers, and like all vapor emanators it works best in still, sheltered air and fades in wind.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%50This is an area device, not applied to skin: published field trials report roughly 55–85% 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 55–85% 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%82Metofluthrin is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 72). Of 4 marketing claims audited: 2 strong, 2 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+10).
Metofluthrin is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 72). Of 4 marketing claims audited: 2 strong, 2 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+10).
Safety15%60This is an area device, not applied to skin, so dermal risk does not apply. Scored on moderate inhalation risk from the vapor (−18); high toxicity to fish and aquatic life (−22). Use it outdoors in the open air only. 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 vapor (−18); high toxicity to fish and aquatic life (−22). Use it outdoors in the open air only. 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
- 55–85%
Metofluthrin emanators reduce mosquito landings by roughly 91 to 97 percent in controlled still-air testing. This is a small candle-heated lamp with a published 10-by-10-foot zone (about 100 square feet), so expect real performance toward the lower end of that range and a zone that shrinks quickly in wind or open air. Treat the 10-by-10-foot figure as a still-air best case rather than a guarantee.
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.
- MetofluthrinActive
Active repellent · 9.10%
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Repels mosquitoes in a 10-by-10-foot zone”
EfficacyModeratePublished zone reflects favorable, still-air conditions. The effective area is smaller in wind, and the candle's low heat output limits range compared with battery or butane repellers.
“Up to 6 hours of protection per diffuser refill”
DurationModerateRuntime is per manufacturer, tied to candle and diffuser life; realized protection still depends on wind and placement.
“DEET-free area protection, no spray or lotion”
Deet FreeStrongActive is metofluthrin (9.10%), not DEET.
“Candle-powered with no batteries, cords, or fuel canister”
OtherStrongGenuine convenience feature; the tradeoff is lower heat output and a smaller zone than battery or butane repellers.
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 Metofluthrin.
Not veterinary advice. Full guide to repellents around pets →