A Japanese company is selling hyper-realistic dragonfly-shaped pendants that it claims can keep mosquitoes and other pesky insects away without any chemicals.

Did you know dragonflies are among the most successful predators in the animal kingdoms? It’s true, they have a predation success rate of about 95%, and insects apparently fear them so much that the mere sight of a dragonfly causes them to run or fly for their lives. At least that’s what the makers of this popular dragonfly-shaped pendant want their clients to believe. That’s because they are not selling it as a cool accessory for insect enthusiasts, but as a mosquito and bug repellent. Just put the pendant around your neck or somewhere where it’s very visible, and you won’t have to worry about pests anymore.

Photo: @zawamekipien/Twitter

There are plenty of mosquito-repelling solutions available these days, but the most effective of them contain chemicals the effects of which on the human body aren’t fully understood. The dragonfly-shaped pendant sold by Japanese company Miki Locos Co. Ltd, on the other hand, promises a simple, chemical-free solution. That means it can safely be worn by children and the elderly, who can now engage in all kinds of outdoor activities without fear of mosquito bites.

Photo: @kanaduya/Twitter

The unusual mosquito repellent is made primarily of PVC, is 100-mm-long and has a wingspan of 130 mm. It can be worn as a pendant around the neck, but it also comes with a clip that you can attach to hats, pant pockets, backpacks, or anywhere you think bugs are most likely to see it.

Photo: @kanaduya/Twitter

According to the manufacturer’s Rakuten listing, the dragonfly pendant is effective against a variety of insects, including mosquitoes, bees and stink bugs. But that may be just marketing, it’s the user reviews that count, right? Well, according to Taiwanese news outlet Gamme, Twitter users who have tried the pendants have surprisingly positive things to say about it.

Photo: @uedaturi/Twitter

Personally, I am skeptical that a dragonfly-shaped accessory, no matter how realistic it may be, can keep real insects away, but I haven’t tried it, so I can’t really knock it, can I?

Photo:@wakamatsugou/Twitter