11 Awesome Candle Scents that Keep Mosquitoes Away

Do you hate bugs? So, do I.

Especially mosquitoes. They’re the worst. And they love me because they always seem to find me when I’m outdoors.

But this summer, I’m not going to let them ruin my time outside.

I’ve been doing some research on which candles keep bugs and mosquitoes away, and I wanted to share my findings with you.

According to several sources, these are the best scents for repelling pests: lemongrass, citronella, lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus.

In this blog post, I’ll discuss a few other candle scents for keeping bugs and mosquitoes away.

I’ll also provide some tips on how to use them effectively. So, if you’re interested in learning more, keep reading.

Candle Scents That Repel Mosquitoes

Scented candles come in a variety of fragrances. But, not all of them are effective in repelling insects.

As a result, here are some of the most effective mosquito-repelling candle scents to assist you.

You can use them individually or make your own DIY mosquito candles by following the recipes below!

1- Citronella

This is one of the most popular scents used in mosquito candles.

Citronella oil comes from the citronella plant, which is a grassy, lemon-scented plant. The oil contains citronellol and geraniol, which are compounds that are known to repel mosquitoes.

You can find non-toxic and safe citronella candles at most stores that sell outdoor supplies. Or, you can make your own by following the DIY citronella candles recipe below.

Ingredients:

-1/2 cup beeswax pellets

-1/2 cup coconut oil

-20 drops of citronella essential oil

-10 drops of lemongrass essential oil

Instructions:

1. Add the beeswax, coconut oil, and essential oils to a glass bowl.

2. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water.

3. Stir the ingredients until they’re melted and combined.

4. Remove the bowl from the heat and carefully pour the wax into jars or tealight candle holders.

5. Allow the candles to cool and harden for at least an hour before using them.

2- Lavender

Lavender is another great scent for repelling mosquitoes. The plant belongs to the mint family and has a distinct floral aroma.

The oil from the plant contains linalool, which is a compound that’s known for its mosquito-repelling properties.

You can find lavender candles at most health food stores. Or, you can make your own by following the DIY lavender candles recipe below.

Ingredients:

-1/2 cup beeswax pellets

-1/2 cup coconut oil

-20 drops of lavender essential oil

Instructions:

1. Add the beeswax, coconut oil, and lavender essential oils to a glass bowl.

2. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water.

3. Stir the ingredients until they’re melted and combined.

4. Remove the bowl from the heat and carefully pour the wax into jars or tealight candle holders.

5. Allow the candles to cool and harden for at least an hour before using them.

3- Peppermint

Peppermint is another great option for repelling mosquitoes.

The plant belongs to the mint family and has a refreshing, minty aroma. The oil from the plant contains menthol, which is a compound that’s known for its mosquito-repelling properties.

You can find peppermint candles at most health food stores. Or, you can make your own by following the DIY peppermint candles recipe below.

Ingredients:

-1/2 cup beeswax pellets

-1/2 cup coconut oil

-20 drops of peppermint essential oil

Instructions:

1. Add the beeswax, coconut oil, and peppermint essential oils to a glass bowl.

2. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water.

3. Stir the ingredients until they’re melted and combined.

4. Remove the bowl from the heat and carefully pour the wax into jars or tealight candle holders.

5. Allow the candles to cool and harden for at least an hour before using them.

4- Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is another great option for repelling mosquitoes.

The plant has a distinct, camphor-like aroma. The oil from the plant contains eucalyptol, which is a compound that’s known for its mosquito-repelling properties.

You can find eucalyptus candles at most health food stores. Or, you can make your own by following the DIY eucalyptus candles recipe below.

Ingredients:

-1/2 cup beeswax pellets

-1/2 cup coconut oil

-20 drops of eucalyptus essential oil

Instructions:

1. Add the beeswax, coconut oil, and eucalyptus essential oils to a glass bowl.

2. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water.

3. Stir the ingredients until they’re melted and combined.

4. Remove the bowl from the heat and carefully pour the wax into jars or tealight candle holders.

5. Allow the candles to cool and harden for at least an hour before using them.

5- Clove

Clove is another great option for repelling mosquitoes.

The plant has a distinct, spicy aroma. The oil from the plant contains eugenol, which is a compound that’s known for its mosquito-repelling properties.

You can find clove candles at most health food stores. Or, you can make your own by following the DIY clove candles recipe below.

Ingredients:

-1/2 cup beeswax pellets

-1/2 cup coconut oil

-20 drops of clove essential oil

Instructions:

1. Add the beeswax coconut oil, and clove essential oils into a glass bowl.

2. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water.

3. Stir the ingredients until they’re melted and combined.

4. Remove the bowl from the heat and carefully pour the wax into jars or tealight candle holders.

5. Allow the candles to cool and harden for at least an hour before using them.

Besides the above most popular candle scents, there are a few more that can prove to be effective against bugs. These include:

6- Lemon Balm

The lemon balm plant belongs to the mint family and has a distinct, lemony aroma.

The oil from the plant contains citronellal, which is a compound that’s known for its mosquito-repelling properties.

7- Cedarwood

Cedarwood plant has a distinct, woodsy aroma.

The oil from the plant contains cedrol, which is a compound that’s known for its mosquito-repelling properties.

8- Rose Geranium

Rose geranium is a plant that has a distinct floral aroma.

The oil from the plant contains citronellol and geraniol, which are compounds that are known for their mosquito-repelling properties.

9- Marigold

The marigold plant belongs to the daisy family and has a distinct, earthy aroma.

The oil from the plant contains linalool, which is a compound that’s known for its mosquito-repelling properties.

10- Rosemary

Rosemary plant has a distinct, herbaceous aroma.

The oil from the plant contains camphor and cineole, which are compounds that are known for their mosquito-repelling properties.

11- Cinnamon

This scent is not only pleasant to the senses, but it’s also a great way to keep mosquitoes away.

You can either use cinnamon oil or ground cinnamon to achieve the desired effect.

Cinnamon oil can be used as an anti-mosquito candle in diffusers, or you can add a few drops to your clothes.

If you’re using ground cinnamon, you can put it in a small sachet and place it around the house.

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Is Citronella Oil Safe to Use?

Citronella oil and scented candles are approved as safe for humans as well as the environment by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

You can therefore use this low-risk product without any concern for humans and other animals.

The citronella oil majorly works by masking scents that are attractive to many insects and flies.

You can use these oils either by diffusing them in the air, spraying them around with a sprayer, or by directly applying them to the skin.

Are Candle Scents Effective Against Mosquitoes?

Yes, mosquito-repelling candles are quite effective.

Because each one burns for up to 4 hours, you’ll get long repellence without applying any skin products or spraying artificial insecticides.

If used carefully and in calm non-windy areas, this should be sufficient for a few hours.

However, candles will not kill mosquitoes, and their application areas are restricted because they tend to work usually when used within a distance of 1.0 m (3.3 ft.).

If you need to repel mosquitoes for a longer period of time or in larger areas, using more effective mosquito repellent products such as DEET is recommended.

Where to Use Scented Mosquito Candles in Your Home?

The best way to use mosquito-repelling candles is to place them in areas where you spend the most time outdoors.

For example, if you like to relax on your patio or deck, position a few candles around the perimeter of the area to get the most effective results.

You can also use them indoors, but be sure to keep them away from any open flames, such as candles, fireplaces, or stoves.

To get the most out of your mosquito-repelling candles, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

For example, some types of candles need to be burned in a well-ventilated area. Others should not be used near food or beverages.

When used correctly, mosquito-repelling candles can be a great way to keep these pests at bay.

No matter you are looking for a natural candle for your patio or for camping, there are a few best options you can look for when purchasing mosquito repellent candles online:

Some of these most effective citronella candles include:

• Cutter Citro Guard Candle
• Coleman Scented Citronella Candle
• Mainstays Bucket Outdoor Citronella Candle
• Mosquito Guard Repellent Tea Light Candles
• Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Candle
• Repel Triple-Wick Citronella Candle

The Conclusion

Remember that regular wax candles do not work to keep mosquitoes away.

However, if you’re looking for a natural way to keep pests like bugs and mosquitoes away, then you may want to try using scented candles.

These scents can be repellent to a variety of different bugs, so by burning these insect-repelling candles in your home or yard, you can keep them from coming near.

Next time you’re planning an outdoor BBQ or gathering, make sure to have one of these candle scents burning to keep the bugs away.