Best Mosquito Candles
7 minutes to read | Updated for 2018
There are many fun parts to summer: the picking of apples, going for camping and fishing trips and holding beach parties. But then there are bad parts as well with one being bitten by Lyme disease-carrying ticks or Zika virus-carrying mosquitoes. So, why are bugs such as mosquitoes more common during summer than other seasons?
When it’s cold, the majority of insects go into some form of hibernation. Once the temperatures start rising, these creatures come out of their hibernation spots to feed and look for warm shelters. The problem is that insects such as mosquitoes pose a lot of danger.
Several mosquito-borne diseases transmitted through their bites as could a serious health risk. Therefore, if you’re grappling with mosquito bites, one effective solution that you should consider is investing in anti-mosquito candles. This article explains how these natural mosquito repellent candles work to ward off mosquitoes. It also recommends the best mosquito candles on the market.
Top Rated Mosquito Candles
Last update on 2018-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What’s In This Guide
Cutter Citro HG-95783 Guard Candle
Last update on 2018-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Cutter Citro has become a favorite mosquito candle for homeowners. It’s designed as a big metal bucket containing 17 ounces of the candle and it helps to repel mosquitoes and other flying insects. All you require to do is to place the candle outside your gazebo and wait for the scent to vaporize. Within a couple of minutes, you will notice a considerable reduction in the number of critters around you.
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Truth be told, no one insect repellent is 100% perfect. But the Citronella Guard Candle helps to get rid of multiple insects in one go. However, if you want to achieve this, you should keep a few things in mind. First off, the citronella candle works best when placed away from a windy setting.
A strong breeze can cause the citronella scent to drift away, hence not work toward repelling mosquitoes. Another thing to note is that the citronella scent comes out pretty strong. Some users find this smell overwhelming. Others, however, do not mind this fragrance as it’s simply an indication that the candle is working effectively. The Cutter Citro bucket can light up continuously for 25 to 30 hours.
PRO
- Does not leave any mess
- It can burn for up to 30 hours
- Repels mosquitos and other flying insects
- Made of real citronella oil
CON
- Scent can be too strong
Repel 64090 Citronella Outdoor Candle
Last update on 2018-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Another mosquito candle that works very well is the Outdoor Candle by Repel. As its name suggests, this is the perfect candle for outdoor trips such as camping or hiking. It comes in a 10-ounce candle, which is easy to carry along. The candle is housed in a metallic container, which is sturdy enough to withstand an array of conditions. This way, even if you drop it accidentally, it won’t start breaking into pieces.
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You can light the candle to illuminate your path as well as to ward off mosquitoes. Like Citro Guard, this mosquito candle also uses citronella oil. However, the Citro scent in this candle is mild and bearable. The best thing about Repel Outdoor Candle is that it provides instant results.
No mosquito will dare to get close to you when you light up this candle. What’s more, the candle can burn between 18 and 20 hours. Repel equipped the candle container with a lid. It helps to keep the candle secure and ensure that it burns cleanly without leaving any mess.
PRO
- Portable 10-ounce can
- Contains real citronella oil
- Keeps mosquitoes and other flying insects away
CON
- Expensive if bought locally
Highly Scented Votive Candles for Mosquito Repellent
Last update on 2018-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Light in the Dark mosquito candles offers one of the most economical solutions to repelling mosquitoes and other insects. Compared to the candles in our review, they are also smaller so they are best suited for covering small areas. On the bright side, their small stature increases their flexibility.
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For instance, since they’re small, you can comfortably place them inside your house to repel mosquitoes. You can also set them up outside. Like the previous candles, the Votive candles have a strong citronella scent, which makes unsuitable for use in bedrooms. Instead of placing them in your bedroom, you should put them on a stairway to create a protective barrier.
One limitation is that the candles do not come with buckets. So, to prevent a messy situation, you’ll have to look for some containers to place them in. On the bright side, the highly-scented Votive candles burn cleanly and can last for 10 to 12 hours.
PRO
- Have the most powerful citronella scent
- Up to 10 hour burn period
- Perfect for indoor and outdoor use
CON
- Can create waxy mess
Coleman Citronella Candle Outdoor Lantern
Last update on 2018-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Coleman is a fast-acting mosquito repellent candle. The key highlight of this candle is its ease of setup. All you require to do is to light it up and any critters in your vicinity will begin to fly away. The citronella candle is housed in a lantern, making the unit a handy addition to garden dinners, campsites, and backyards. Unlike with Votive candles, you don’t have to look for extra containers for storing the candles.
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Overall, this candle’s design is straightforward and safe for anyone to use. You can use this candle for up to 55 hours before disposing of it. The only setback is that the manufacturer does not provide any refills. It means that once the candle gets exhausted, you have to purchase the entire unit once more. On the positive side, the Coleman candle works well in repelling mosquitoes and other flying insects.
PRO
- Suitable for any outdoor use
- Fast acting
- Provides a pleasant ambiance
CON
- Small for some uses
Vets Flea and Tick Spray
4 minutes to read | Updated for 2018 In This Guide: Our Rating Key Features Vet's Best Flea and Tick Home Spray for Dogs and Home, USA Made from $11.49 Buy on Amazon Last update on 2018-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Our...
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Summit Mosquito Bits & Dunks Review
4 minutes to read | Updated for 2018 In This Guide: Our Rating How Does It Work? Key Features Sale Summit Responsible Solutions Mosquito Bits - Quick Kill, 30 Ounce $16.91 Buy on Amazon Last update on 2018-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product...
read moreHow Do Mosquito Candles Work?
Primarily, these mosquito repellent candles are made of citronella oil. The National Pesticide Information Center describes citronella oil as an all-natural insect and animal repellent. The key elements in this oil are citronellal, geraniol, and citronellol, as well as other essential oils. For most people, these terms are unpronounceable, and hence a bit scary.
But these are simply the active ingredients that help to keep bugs at bay and reduce the number of mosquito bites. Citronella is regarded a low-risk pesticide by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) so you can rest easy knowing that the citronella candles won’t cause any adverse effects. But citronella employs a mechanism that is different from other pesticides.
Instead of killing mosquitoes, citronella only repels them. A research was conducted by scientists from the University of Guelph Ontario, who wanted to determine just how effective citronella candles are. For the study, they used candles with citronella oil concentration of 3%. Based on the results obtained, the candles were found to reduce mosquito landings by a whopping 42%. So, how exactly does citronella deter mosquitoes?
The answer is simple: by masking scent in the surroundings of these insects. The way mosquitoes identify with humans is that they follow the smell of the carbon dioxide (CO2) gas that you exhale naturally. As such, citronella masks this smell. This way, the mosquitoes are rendered incapable of distinguishing between humans and other entities.
One major benefit of using citronella as a repellent is that it’s safe and non-toxic to humans. Very few people experience allergic reactions to citronella scent. Even if you accidentally ingest citronella, it will merely be broken down then passed out of your body via urine.
Why Should You Use Mosquito Candles?
There are several reasons that warrant purchasing a mosquito candle instead of other mosquito control products. First off, these candles offer a completely natural solution. Citronella, a bio-pesticide, falls under the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) products. Aside from the strong citronella scent, the candles are safe to use either indoors or outdoors.
Second, these mosquito repellent candles use active ingredients that are as competent as chemical-based pesticides like DEET. Citronella has shown to be effective at repelling mosquitoes and other insects. Perhaps the only limitation is that it only repels but it does not kill the critters.
Citronella mosquito candles are also pet-friendly. You can light these candles in the presence of your pets and no harm will come to them. This is something you’d be incapable of doing if you were using a chemical-filled mosquito repellent. Ideally, citronella candles are even safe for sensitive populations that include toddlers and seniors.
The Bottom Line
Citronella oil confers tons of benefits. However, it is its use as an insect repellent that is most beneficial. Citronella candles generate scents that deter mosquitoes from hovering around your home and garden. Sure, there are other ways of repelling mosquitoes. However, none beats the convenience, eco-friendliness, and cost-effectiveness that mosquito candles offer.