I have been using some products that were sent to me for testing. The first is a group of devices from the Schawbel Corp. that repel mosquitoes. I tried the ThermaCELL Patio Lantern, the Mini Lantern and the Olive Appliance, which also comes in white and camouflage. If you want to work or play outdoors, but don't want to apply deet, this may be a good alternative.

All three products use a small butane canister to fuel a tiny flame. The heat warms a metal grill that heats a pad containing allethrin, which vaporizes and spreads out into the air creating a protective zone. It may sound a little complicated, but it is quite simple. The insecticide devices allow freedom of movement since they are cordless and not battery operated. The butane cartridge will out last about three of the pads for a total of about 10 to 12 hours per cartridge.

The literature says they will create a 15 feet by 15 feet mosquito-free area. I found the appliance that you wear on your belt to be effective as I mowed a larger lawn and picked raspberries in a 20 feet by 30 feet raspberry patch. In both cases, I was spreading the vapors across the area and not just sitting in one place. I tried both lanterns on the patio where they worked to keep insects away.

As for the lanterns, I found neither one to be successful as a lamp. The larger patio lantern uses two AA batteries to power four weak LED lights. I had to move the lantern right beside a newspaper page in order to read; it is about as powerful as a nightlight. The lights and mosquito-repelling functions are separate. You could turn on the light as a reminder that the butane cartridge is in use — it may help you remember to turn it off.

The mini lantern is the only device that has an actual visible flame when in use. The light created by the flame is not as powerful as a single birthday-cake candle. The first time I used this lantern I didn't realize that when the flame was off, the butane cartridge was still open. When I came back to try the lantern again, the tank was empty. The other products don't waste as much fuel. The device has a safety switch that turns the fuel off when not sitting on a flat surface; therefore, it can't be carried around like a lantern.

The allethrin vapors contain a fragrance, but I have talked to hunters who use the appliance and they don't think animals link it to humans. A man-made version of natural pyrethrin insecticides, allethrin is made from chrysanthemum flowers. The butane cartridges are the same ones many people already utilize in ThermaCELL curling irons.

I found all of the products to be effective at repelling mosquitoes and would definitely recommend them for that purpose; however, I can't suggest the lanterns as light sources. Although, the light does help to remind you that it is on and should be turned off to avoid wasting the butane or the allethrin pad.

The next device is the Black and Decker Leaf Hog — a leaf blower, leaf vacuum and mulcher all in one. I have used this product for years and had several complaints about it. It was noisy, heavy and awkward. The bag that collects the leaves kept falling off so I had to duct tape it into place; the bag had to be taken off several times to empty during each use. A zippered opening on the narrow end made the bag more difficult to empty. When asked if I would like to try the new one, I was reluctant but thought it would be nice to see if B&D had made improvements.

Although I haven't used it often yet, the new B&D Leaf Hog is more developed. It weighs about the same, but balances better on the ergonomically friendly handles. A variable speed motor lets the device run quietly to blow leaves on a smooth surface like a sidewalk; it won't disturb those namby-pamby neighbors who don't get up before 6 a.m. on Saturday. Crank it up and you have a full 240-mph hurricane to blast leaves out of tall grass. It is the perfect addition for the man who wants more power.

If you have used a leaf blower, you know that the narrow nozzle that aims the airflow can only move a few leaves at a time, meaning you must constantly move the nozzle back and forth. This is hard work on the arms and takes forever to move a pile of leaves. The new B&D Leaf Hog comes with a LeafBlaster nozzle tip, which constantly wiggles back and forth moving the powerful airflow — all you have to do is walk forward. It is so much less tiring that I might be able to get my kids to help.

I love the vacuum mode. The new version has a metal impeller fan that chops up leaves into tiny pieces if they are dry, and small pieces if they are wet. The new leaf bag has a wide opening that is held shut with a sliding bar. I am not fond of this new closure, but it works so far. The bag attachment is a better design; no more duct tape.

I add the chopped material into a compost pile, or spread it under my hedges and evergreen trees to let it decompose naturally. I don't bag up and pay to send away any leaves. I use all of the organic material myself. In fact, I put the product on the vacuum mulching mode to chop up neighbors' leaves for my garden.

It is easy to change from blower mode to vacuum mode. You will need a properly sized extension cord since it has about a 12 amp motor.

E-mail questions to Jeff Rugg, Kendall County unit educator, University of Illinois Extension at jrugg@uiuc.edu. To find out more about Jeff Rugg and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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