Maybe! – Explore why your citronella candle isn't working for you. And learn about a remarkable natural solution that's as effective as DEET and more affordable than candles. Are you ready for a mosquito-free patio this summer?
With so many conflicting online results, it’s frustrating when you just want to know if your favourite garden mosquito repellent will work to protect you. We explore some of the commonly asked questions and explain some of the science, so you can make an educated decision this summer!
Do citronella candles actually keep mosquitoes away?
No - According to a 2017 study published in Journal of Insect Science [1] They conducted a series of controlled tests with 11 different retail products including wearable devices, sprays and a citronella candle. Of the products tested, the most effective natural repellent was a spray containing 30% PMD (Oil of lemon eucalyptus) It produced equally strong reductions in attraction as the spray containing 98% DEET.However, there's little detail regarding the product specification of the citronella candle tested, other than stating it contained 3% Citronella oil. It would be impossible to draw any conclusions based on only one candle being tested.
Citronella has been used for centuries as a natural insect repellent, so common sense prevails that there is an element of effectiveness in its use. Citronella does contain a molecule called PMD, which is known to be effective at repelling insects, but the levels of PMD in citronella aren’t naturally occurring at high levels. (More on PMD in insect repellents below)
The problem with clearly answering if citronella candles are effective starts when we try to establish if your candle contains naturally derived citronella or just a synthetic fragrance. If it does use Citronella essential oil, then how much?
In the case of supermarket citronella candles, they are often mass-produced abroad, using cheap ingredients with unscented cores to keep the price lower. I’ve seen numerous social media posts from pro-candle makers showing products for sale in UK budget homeware stores that don’t have a CLP label (The mandatory info for hazardous contents) This either means the fragrance strength is so low, it doesn’t trigger the requirement to have a label. In which case you probably won't smell much, or worse, it’s non-compliant with UK regulations and it’s anyone's guess what it contains.
Many shop-bought citronella candles will leave you underwhelmed due to the lack of scent, let alone contain enough citronella to repel mosquitoes. What a waste of your hard earned money! If you want a well-made, safe citronella candle then buy from a reputable professional chandler in your local area.
What repels mosquitoes better than citronella?
Products containing DEET, picaridin and those with sufficient concentration of natural PMD's. If you want an effective natural solution for your garden that doesn't involve applying products to your skin, then using insect repellent wax melts containing Citrepel® could be the answer to your summer garden prayers! If you're looking for a spray-on product, there's clinically proven, natural insect repellent spray Incognito.
What is Citrepel?
Citrepel® is a natural, highly effective insect repellent containing PMD-rich botanic oils.
Manufactured in the UK, it is as effective at repelling insects as synthetic products and offers protection from the bites of mosquitoes, midges, ticks, sand flies, and horse flies.[2]
It's used in a variety of natural insect repellent products including body sprays, lotions, wristbands, and of course candles and wax melts. Registered under the Biocidal Products Directive (BPR) Citrepel® is certified as a product of natural origin by ECOCERT.
What is PMD in insect repellent?
PMD is an effective, naturally occurring insect-repellent molecule. It's a decomposition product of many natural essential oils.
PMD is an active compound called p-menthane-3,8-diol, which is a first stage metabolite of menthol. It exists in nature in plants like citronella and eucalyptus, but only in low concentrations. The PMD level in Citrepel® has been significantly intensified through a process of refinement that boosts it to a consistently high level. Insect repelling products containing Citrepel® have far higher levels of PMD than unrefined citronella essential oil.
How do I keep mosquitoes from biting me on my patio?
- Remove, or move away from any sources of standing water as they're a breeding ground for mosquito larvae. (Buckets with rain water, water butts, etc)
- Melt insect repellent wax melts containing Citrepel (PMD's) and place the wax warmer close to where you are sitting.
- Burn citronella incense sticks as mosquitoes hate the smoke.
- Cover bare skin on arms and legs.
- Use a natural insect repellent spray that's high in PMD's.
Are citronella wax melts better than candles?
Yes - For outdoor use!
We love candles, but wax melts are a better choice outdoors because they are warmed using indirect heat beneath the melt. This means more of the fragrance is released into the immediate air around you, rather than being burnt off by the flame.
Wax melt scents can easily be switched out, and are a more affordable option if you like to have a variety of fragrances in your life. We recommend using a tealight wax warmer outdoors, and only when there’s little to no breeze. Why not add a few extra unscented tealights in glass containers to create a really cosy ambiance?
Are citronella candles safe for humans?
Yes – When professionally made with quality ingredients.
Essential oils are dangerous to use by amateurs in DIY candles because the oil can have a lower flash point than fragrance oils. A poorly made candle can catch fire if too much oil is used, or if it's not adequately combined with the wax at the correct temperature.
Wax melts are less dangerous as there is no direct flame involved, but you must still be vigilant regarding the origins of all the ingredients. Use a reputable supplier to ensure they meet UK safety regulations. Always follow the instructions of use and never use a tealight wax warmer for more than 4 hours.
Can burning candles be harmful?
Candles made by reputable chandlers (Candlemakers) in the UK will conform to all the current regulations and not be harmful to humans. There is no lead in the wick, despite what other search results will suggest. This is an outdated fact and modern wicks sold by UK suppliers do not contain lead.
The biggest danger is from unintentional misuse by the consumer. Always read the safety info and care card supplied with your candle.
- Keep the wick trimmed to around 8 - 10mm after each use.
- Never place a candle in a draught or near an open window, as it will cause the candle to burn unevenly and is a fire risk if near soft furnishings.
- Always place your candle on a heat-proof and level surface.
- Place it away from children and pets.
- Never burn a candle for more than 4 hours to avoid overheating the container.
Can I go to sleep and leave candles burning at night?
No, please NEVER do that! The container could get so hot that it explodes, or something could land in the wax pool and start a silent house fire while you sleep. Do you ever burn candles near bunches of fresh flowers? Image a dry petal dropping and catching the flame before landing on your carpet. Horrible thought, just never leave a candle unattended.
If you want to have citronella fragrance in your room while you sleep to keep mosquitoes away, invest in an electric vapour diffuser for essential oils, or an electric wax warmer on a timer.
Is it OK to burn citronella candles indoors?
Yes - If they are made with professional ingredients that are compliant with UK regulations. Our 100% natural citronella essential oil wax melts set contains insect-repelling citrepel®. This effective bug-repellent blend has been professionally manufactured, specifically for use in candles and wax melts. And our wax melts have been developed for use indoors and outdoors.
You can rest assured our products are safe for you and safe for the environment!
References cited
[1] Efficacy of Some Wearable Devices Compared with Spray-On Insect Repellents for the Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae)
[2] What is Citrepel?