Trib Tested: Skeeter Screen Patio Egg
The claim: Garland, a Texas-based Scent Shop, has a new solution for mosquitos and other patio pests. The Patio Egg for outdoors uses Skeeter Screen oil, but requires no power cords, batteries or flames. The egg is a porous ceramic vessel into which is poured the Skeeter Screen, a mixture of essential oils from cedar, rosemary, peppermint, clove and thyme. As the oil “migrates” through the porous ceramic, the rosy-floral scent will “hatch” within 24 hours. Skeeter Screen is effective over a space of about 200 square feet. It does not contain DEET, and is safe around children and pets.
Cost: $18
Where: www.scentshop.com
The Patio Egg was easy to fill and had an earthy but citrusy scent that is still lingering, weeks later. The bottom is sealed so that the oil doesn't leak onto the surface you place it on. It also comes with an attractive netted hanging sack, which I opted to use on the patio in my backyard.
I don't like the smell of citronella, so I really wanted the patio egg to work. However, within a few minutes of sitting down on the patio, mosquitos were lingering. The product claims to repel the bugs for up to 200 feet, but within 10 feet of it, we were feeling the pain on many different occasions. I guess it's possible that it reduced the number of mosquitoes, but it certainly didn't eliminate them.
— Chrissy Zirngibl
The Patio Egg seemed to be just the thing for our new deck. Who wants mosquitos and gnats swarming about when you're trying to enjoy a balmy midsummer eve? It was convenient to pour in the liquid without having to trouble with lighting a wick. My wife wasn't impressed, but I felt the egg successfully repelled most insects. The testing conditions weren't optimal, as the lack of rain has dried up much of the marshy turf where creepy-crawlies like to breed.
It would be preferable if the egg had a mounting hook that allowed you to hang the macrame sling on the arm of your chair or deck railing.
— William Loeffler
The Patio Egg is an interesting concept. I like that the oil can be added — a handy measuring tool comes with it — and you can let it work for a couple of weeks without any fuss. The instructions suggest adding more in about three weeks. You can see the oil becoming absorbed in the porous shell of the egg, and a glazed bottom keeps it from seeping out completely. And, I like that I'm not inhaling a smoking citronella candle while enjoying the great outdoors on my back porch.
I hung the egg in its little macrame holder from a hook where it could work its power.
I'm not quite convinced the Patio Egg works as well as the more chemically enhanced bug-off products, but it does help. And it's one I can feel comfortable using when little grandchildren come to visit.
— Sally Quinn
