Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you’d be able to enjoy your evenings outdoors without buzzing and biting mosquitoes aggressively seeking and stealing away your attention?
Well, you finally get to do just that, thanks to mosquito-repellent candles. For the longest time, we’ve used candles for aesthetic purposes, but it now turns that candles not only create the most relaxing ambiance but that with the right ingredients incorporated, your candles could easily keep away mosquitoes and other insects.
In this review, we’ll take a look at some of the best candle varieties you could use to keep away mosquitoes.
So, let’s jump right into it!
Best Candles to Keep Mosquitoes Away – Comparison Table
| Best Candles to Keep Mosquitoes Away | Best For | Burn Time | Check on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cutter Citroguard Citronella Candle (in Copper) | Best Overall Citronella Candle | 40 hours | Check Price |
| Murphy's Naturals Mosquito Repellent Candle | Best Plant-Based Mosquito Repellent Candle | 30 hours | Check Price |
| Repel 10-Ounce Citronella Insect Outdoor Candle | Best Budget-Friendly Citronella Candle | 20-30 hours | Check Price |
| Votive Citronella Yellow Scented Candles | Best Votive Mosquito Repellent Candles | 10 hours | Check Price |
| Mosquito Guard Repellent Candle | Best DEET-Free Mosquito Repellent Candle | 30 hours | Check Price |
Reviews of the Best Candles to Keep Mosquitoes Away
Cutter Citroguard Citronella Candle (in Copper) – Best Overall Citronella Candle
For some time now, citronella candles have been synonymous with mosquito-repellent candles, and this citronella candle makes it to the top of our list because of its effective mosquito repellent power. It promises to keep mosquitoes and bugs away effectively while offering a maximum burning time of 40 hours.
It is a triple-wick candle that will keep burning even in light breezes, which means that it is an ideal option for use in patios and other outdoor spaces.
It features a metallic rim that’s designed to offer protection from the wind while also allowing oxygen to continually fuel the flame. It further boasts additional smart design features like the rubber rim at the base, effectively reducing the risk of rusting on your patio furniture, wooden, and all other outdoor surfaces. And the best part is that its lid seals up the candle when it isn’t in use, while the carrying handle means that you can tote it whenever you go.
To increase the success of keeping mosquitoes away, the use of this repellent, like the others, is dependent on many other factors, but the 3-wick design of this repellent candle increases its performance effectively. It contains 3% citronella oil, which is the recommended minimum amount. You also need to stay within a 3ft radius of the candle for the highest level of protection. And in larger areas, get multiple candles, each placed 18 inches from the others, for the best results.
Pros
- High-performance 3-wick candle design
- Contains 3% citronella oil for the best performance
- 40-hours burning time
- Aesthetically pleasing design
- Pleasant, highly inviting smell
- Inexpensive
- Shields the flame from wind
Cons
- The scent is a little overwhelming
- The metallic sides of the candle get really jot
- You need multiple candles for protection in large areas
View price on Amazon
Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Candle – Best Plant-Based Mosquito Repellent Candle
If you are looking for a plant-based solution to help keep mosquitoes away, Murphy’s Naturals offers this repellent candle that’s made using plant-based essential oils only. It is DEEP-free, and made of a beeswax and soy wax blend, hence its long burn time of 30 hours.
It’s ideal for use outdoors, and it promises the best level of protection from mosquitoes thanks to the high concentration of essential oils. Besides citronella oil, this candle is also made using lemongrass oil, cedarwood oil, peppermint oil, and rosemary oils. Together, the oils give the candle its concentration of 5% for the oils. As a result, it offers a burst of refreshing fragrance that’s released slowly when burned. You may also like it because Murphy’s Naturals uses ingredients that are sourced responsibly. It’s ideal for use outdoors.
Pros
- Ideal for use outdoors and keeps the mosquitoes away
- Refreshing scent from the aromatic oils
- Made of other bug-repelling essential oils besides citronella oil.
- Made in the USA
- Ingredients are responsibly sourced
- 5% active ingredients
- 30 hours burn time
- One candle covers up to 10-12ft area
Cons
- Single-wicked candle
View price on Amazon
Repel 10-Ounce Citronella Insect Outdoor Candle – Best Budget-Friendly Citronella Candle
For the best insect-repelling effects and outdoor comfort, you may like this citronella candle, especially if you are looking for an effective mosquito-repellent candle on a budget.
This citronella candle is available in a 10-ounce candle canister, and it’s made of high-quality citronella extracts (the percentage isn’t specified, though) that promise the best possible level of protection from mosquitoes. And since most people find it an effective repellent, this inexpensive mosquito-repelling candle is top-rated.
It offers a maximum burn time of up to 20 hours, although it could last longer and closer to 30 hours. The only caveat it comes with is the irritating black smoke from the large flame from the wicks, and these make it a little less effective because you’d have to sit further than the recommended 3ft radius of the burning candle.
Pros
- Keeps bugs away effectively
- 20-30 hours burning time
- The scent is rather pleasing and not overwhelming
- The lid ensures easy transportation
- Ideal for use in camping sites
- Sturdy container
Cons
- One candle offers protection for a very small area
- The design of the tin isn’t attractive/ stylish
- The wick burns fast and high at first, emitting irritating smoke
- No way of controlling or stopping the breeze from putting out the flame
View price on Amazon
Votive Citronella Yellow Scented Candles – Best Votive Mosquito Repellent Candles
Designed for indoor and outdoor use, these paraffin wax citronella candles promise the best level of protection from mosquitoes, albeit for a short amount of time – they have a maximum burn time of 10 hours. The use of paraffin wax is the reason for their short burn time.
These votive candles add a nice ambiance to your outdoor spaces, and if you are hosting, you will not just have a beautiful setting but also able to keep out all kinds of bugs, not just the bloodsucking mosquitoes.
With the set of 12 candles whose effectiveness and performance can be increased by placing them in mason/ glass jars, along with the use of authentic, high-quality citronella extract, this mosquito repellent promises the best outdoor experience and bug protection. Given the use of the real citronella extracts, the smell from the candles is borderline overwhelming, and it’s recommended for use outdoors.
That said, if your search for the best candles to keep mosquitoes away is based on the price, quantity, and effectiveness of the candles, these votive citronella candles might be the best option for you.
Pros
- Beautiful and stylish votive candles
- Pleasant smell
- It keeps out bugs
- Simple, attractive design
- Perfect for outdoor use
Cons
- The smell is a little overbearing.
- They come without candle holders, and you have to improvise
View price on Amazon
Mosquito Guard Repellent Candle – Best DEET-Free Mosquito Repellent Candle
This is the other mosquito repellent candle formulated using all-natural, plant-based ingredients. It promises a high level of protection against mosquito bites, with active ingredients like citronella, peppermint lemongrass, cedarwood, and rosemary oils deterring mosquitoes from your safe space. You may also like it because the smell of citronella oil is easily balanced out by the scents of the other essential oils. This doesn’t, however, mean that the effectiveness of the citronella oil is diminished by the other oils blended in.
It has a 30-hour burn time, made possible by the slow-burning wax made of soybean oil and beeswax. The 3-wick system enhances its performance further.
Now, the can isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing, but it does the job of holding the candle together well. And you can use the lid for easy transportation.
Pros
- Very effective in keeping away mosquitoes and other bugs
- Nice, refreshing smell
- Sets the perfect ambiance in outdoor spaces
- DEET and chemical-free
- 100% natural ingredients
- Burns for 30 hours
- Extra candles increase the protected area
Cons
- Not suitable for use indoors because the smell can be too much for some people
- It’s a little expensive
- Melts in the middle, and you may end up throwing out a lot of wax
View price on Amazon
Buying Guide for the Best Candles to Keep Mosquitoes Away
Those little bloodsuckers can easily get on your nerves, and the reddening that happens afterward, along with the itching, represent the things we hate the most about mosquitoes. Admittedly, you could be more attracted to mosquitoes than other people, and if that is the unfortunate case, you have a deep dislike for mosquitoes by now. It also means that the remedies tried in the past might not have been the most effective, which is why you are here. And if you are allergic to mosquito bites, it means that the need for an effective mosquito repellent is urgent, especially because it’s unrealistic to apply a mosquito-repelling lotion every day at home.
Mosquitoes, specifically the female Anopheles mosquito, cause malaria outbreaks, and if you are in the tropics, a candle that keeps away mosquitoes is essential.
In this section, we take a look at some of the most effective remedies and types of candles that repel mosquitoes.
More specifically, this article sheds light on citronella candles and their effectiveness in repelling mosquitoes.
What are citronella candles?
Citronella candles can be defined as candles that release vapors of citronella oil as they burn. The oil of citronellas is extracted from different grass varieties, and it has a characteristic fresh and rather intense smell.
And though citronella oil is used largely as an insect repellent, it’s rather safe, posing minimal risk to pets and humans, hence listed on the minimal risk pesticides, and also used at home as a food flavoring.
How do citronella candles work?
Mosquitoes find their targets by the attraction they have to human breath, but they could also be attracted by strong scents that force them away from their initial route to you and away towards the strong smell of burning citronella oil. As a result, it’s possible to use fragrant candles to keep mosquitoes away. So, if you have been looking for a way of eradicating or keeping away mosquitoes without killing them, the use of fragrant candles could do the trick. Note that the effectiveness of burning citronella candles is enhanced by the fact that once the mosquitoes sense the citronella oil smell, they effectively lose focus and are unable to track/ locate their initial human target.
What should you look for in citronella candles?
- Style
While some of the citronella candles are merely utilitarian, with zero style elements, other candles are rather stylish, and you could work them into your home décor effortlessly. That said, some of the candles that come in the utilitarian style are ideal for outdoor use, unlike the stylish ones that are more suited for indoor use. This is not to say that there aren’t stylish citronella candles for outdoor use. You only need to choose the candles based on your styling preferences (and budget).
- Scent
For some people, the scent of citronella oil, as it is, is perfectly fine, but others prefer more subdued scents. For subdued citronella oil scents, the candles may be infused with other oils/ scents, with the end product depending on your preferences.
Now, in as much as you may prefer citronella-scented candles that make your home smell divine, such candles may not be as effective in repelling mosquitoes, meaning you may still have to struggle with mosquitoes. So, read the product’s label keenly, and make sure that the candle is actually made with citronella oil.
- Effectiveness
At the end of the day, you want to know just how effective the citronella candle will be at keeping away mosquitoes and other bugs. This brings into question the potency of the candle and also how long the candles burn. To pick the best candle for you, you’d want to factor in how infested the area is with mosquitoes and also the area that you will be using the candle from. If, for example, you need citronella candles for use on your small patio, you may not need the strongest one, but for candles to take camping, you’d want highly concentrated candles to keep mosquitoes away effectively.
To get the best results from your citronella candle, first, you need to keep in mind that you are not 100% guaranteed zero mosquito issues just because the candle is burning. But even with this thinking in mind, you can increase the efficiency of the candles by burning multiple candles to increase the area protected by citronella oil scent, especially in large outdoor spaces.
You also need to check the length of the wick because it affects how fast the candle burns. If the wick is long, you’d want to cut it down to a more reasonable length for the wax to melt slowly, reducing the candle’s combustion time and extending the candle’s shelf life and duration of protection from mosquitoes. As long as the candle is burning, the mosquitoes.
- Safety precautions
When buying citronella candles for use indoors and outdoors, it’s advisable to check the candle’s gaseous components, specifically the gases released when the candle burns. You want to make sure that the gases released are safe for pets and humans.
- Type of wax used
The citronella candles on the market vary depending on the wax used to make them. The candles are often made of beeswax, paraffin wax, or soy wax.
Paraffin wax citronella candles are the most affordable candles, but they often burn a lot faster than other candle waxes.
Beeswax is a lot more superior to paraffin wax in that it not only burns at a much slower rate, meaning that the candle lasts longer, but also beeswax is effective in getting rid of any toxic fumes that could be hovering around. This is a result of the negative ions by the candle, which react with the positive ions from the unpleasant fumes, bonding and causing the removal of mosquitoes along with other poisonous elements in the air.
Soy wax is the type of candle wax that’s an intermediate option between paraffin and beeswax. It burns faster than beeswax but slower than paraffin wax, and it’s priced affordably too.
Other candles that repel mosquitoes
In addition to citronella candles, there are other types of candles that you could use to keep mosquitoes away. These include:
Citronella – as mentioned above, citronella is the top-recommended mosquito repellent. Citronella oil is extracted from lemongrass then it’s distilled for the highest level of potency. To keep off mosquitoes, citronella blocks the olfactory senses of mosquitoes for hours, meaning they won’t even know you are there.
Lavender – in addition to its use in aromatherapy, lavender oil keeps away mosquitoes while making you feel relaxed. Lavender candles are also said to help you fall asleep faster.
Other fragrant oils that could help ward off mosquitoes include lemon balm, peppermint, eucalyptus, cloves, cedarwood, rose geranium, marigold, rosemary, and cinnamon.
Conclusion
The ingredients used in mosquito-repellent candles determine the effectiveness of the candle. The candles reviewed above are formulated using citronella (and other essential oils) oil that’s effective in repelling mosquitoes and many other bugs. With that in mind, Cutter Citroguard Citronella Candle (in Copper) is our best citronella candle for keeping mosquitoes away. But if you are looking for an all-natural solution, you may like Murphy’s Naturals Citronella candles, also made with important essential oils like peppermint, rosemary, cedarwood, lemongrass, and no DEET.
FAQs
Does citronella keep away mosquitoes?
Yes, which is why most of the mosquito-repellent candles are made with citronella oil from lemongrass. Citronella’s effectiveness has been seen in not just keeping off mosquitoes, but its odor also keeps off other little pesky bloodsuckers like the Aedes species of mosquitoes that carry Zika. There is scientific research supporting these claims, meaning you can trust citronella to repel mosquitoes.
This also means that you could use body oils and lotions with citronella to repel bugs. You only need to reapply the oil frequently for long-lasting protection.
What do I do if the candles don’t seem to help?
While the candles don’t guarantee 100% protection, they offer a high level of protection, as long as they have a high concentration of citronella oil. If you notice that the effectiveness of the candles is diminishing, you may want to try adding extra candles to ensure that the mosquitoes are exposed to the burning citronella oil consistently. You’d also want to reduce the length of the wick and opt for candles with a higher percentage of citronella – more than 3% of pure citronella oil.
What makes the best mosquito-repellent citronella candles?
Often, the higher the concentration of citronella, the higher the effectiveness of the candle in keeping away mosquitoes. To ensure the best performance, opt for candles with a minimum citronella concentration of 3%.
