Does Thermacell really Repel Ants ?

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I see this question pop up a lot whenever people start using a Thermacell device in their backyard or while camping. Most people buy one because they are tired of mosquitoes ruining the evening. Then after setting it up they start noticing other bugs around the table and wonder if the device works on those too. Ants are usually the first thing people ask about.

The short answer is that Thermacell is not really designed to repel ants. It is made specifically to keep mosquitoes away. The way it works is by heating a small mat that releases a repellent into the air. That repellent creates a small invisible zone that mosquitoes tend to avoid. After about ten to fifteen minutes most people notice far fewer mosquitoes flying around.

Ants are a completely different kind of insect though. Mosquitoes fly around and search for people by detecting things like body heat and carbon dioxide. Ants live on the ground and rely mostly on scent trails to find food. When an ant discovers something edible it walks back to the nest and leaves a chemical trail behind. Other ants follow that trail and before you know it there is a whole line of them marching straight toward your food.

Because of that behavior the airborne repellent from a Thermacell does not really affect them very much. Ants are not flying through the air the way mosquitoes are. They are walking along surfaces and following those scent trails. Even if they smell something strange in the air they will usually keep moving along the path that leads to food.

Some people do say they notice fewer ants when a Thermacell is running. That can happen sometimes but it is usually indirect. The device produces a little bit of heat and it releases a scent into the air. Occasionally that might make ants walk around the device instead of directly over it. But that does not mean the ants are actually being repelled. Most of the time they just find another path and keep going.

I tested this during a barbecue last summer. We had a Thermacell running on the patio and it worked great for mosquitoes. Normally we would be swatting at them all evening but that night they basically disappeared. The ants though did not seem to care at all. Once someone spilled a bit of soda on the table the ants eventually showed up and started doing their usual thing.

If ants are the real problem the best solution is usually dealing with whatever is attracting them. Food crumbs sugary drinks and grease are basically an open invitation for ants. Wiping down surfaces and keeping food sealed can make a big difference. Ant bait stations also work well because the ants carry the bait back to the colony.

So while Thermacell is awesome for mosquitoes it is not really an ant control device. If you are hoping it will keep ants away from your picnic table you might be disappointed. It is still great to have around though because a mosquito free evening outside is always a win.

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