Correct, thermocell doesn't work for ticks, at least in my experience. Flying insects, yes. One morning this spring, sat down against the tree....hadn't had much issue with mosquitoes so hadn't thought much about it. A minute later they were all around me. Luckily turkey was still in the tree, so I grabbed the thermocell and fired it up. You don't even really know when it happens, but within a few minutes you'll suddenly realize the little bastages aren't there anymore.... I have the holster for mine, and it stays clipped on a strap loop of my vest. If you could figure out a way to make the little heating element work with electricity instead of the fuel canisters, I don't see why it wouldn't activate the pad....
It would no doubt depend on how much heat. Too little probably not work. Too much and poof, would maybe work but only for minutes. One could test to see how hot the metal gets and go from there.
I have been using these for years. They really do the trick. I hate being bitten by bugs as the bites make me itch for a long while.
I've used a small one for years while hunting during the early part of the season when the mosquitoes are still out. Wouldn't be without one. I've used a larger one for the deck and it has worked better than those citronella candles and tiki torches (IMO).
