DIY Citronella & Eucalyptus Bug Repelling Wax Melts

I love sitting outside, but I hate bugs! These DIY citronella and eucalyptus wax melts naturally repel bugs so I can get back to enjoying my evening.

Over the years, I’ve experimented with many different methods for keeping bugs away when I’m outside. From sprays and salves to candles and diffusers, I’ve tried it all!

DIY Wax Melts that Repel Mosquitoes!

However, I’ve never made wax melts for the outdoors. The idea came to me when I left a lotion bar outside and it melted all over my porch! Not a fun mess to clean up, but it helped me realize that DIY wax melts might be a good option.

Natural Ingredients

My favorite way to make wax melts are with beeswax and coconut oil. I always have those ingredients at home and they melt very well when combined. Coconut oil has a melting point of 76 degrees, which makes it perfect for using outdoors on hot evenings.

I chose to use citronella and eucalyptus essential oils because they are great mosquito repellents. In fact, these two oils work even better when combined.[1]

Citronella Essential Oil

Citronella essential oil is different than what you might find in commercial citronella products. Many commercial products have a citronella fragrance, which is quite different than the essential oil. Citronella fragrance is often stronger than citronella essential oil. It smells slightly different too.

While commercially made citronella products might work well, for my DIY wax melts I definitely prefer natural citronella essential oil. It is bright, refreshing, and perfect for summer evenings. The EPA even recognizes citronella essential oil as an insect repellent.

There are many studies that point to the effectiveness of citronella essential oil including this one from 2017. I have personally used citronella essential oil and products containing it for years as a natural mosquito repellent with great success.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus (globulus) has also been used to repel mosquitoes. Maybe not as well known as citronella, this oil has proven to be quite effective. In this 2018 study, both ginger essential oil and eucalyptus (globulus) essential oils were tested against mosquitoes, and eucalyptus came out on top as a repellent and insecticide.

This DIY wax melts recipe is quick and easy. I love bringing these citronella and eucalyptus wax melts along on a camping trip to melt in a pan on my campfire. They are also perfect in a wax melt warmer on the porch or patio. An added bonus is that you can melt them and re-use them! Just add a little bit of essential oil to refresh as needed.

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DIY Wax Melts Recipe

I love sitting outside, but I hate bugs! These DIY citronella and eucalyptus wax melts naturally repel bugs so I can get back to enjoying my evening.

Prep Time

15 minutes

Active Time

30 minutes

Hardening Time

6 hours

Total Time

6 hours 45 minutes

Equipment

• glass Pyrex measuring cup
• Small saucepan
• silicone molds

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup beeswax
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 40 drops eucalyptus essential oil (Eucalyptus globulus)
• 40 drops citronella essential oil (Cymbopogon winterianus)

Instructions

1. To make your DIY wax melts place a saucepan half full of water on medium heat
2. In a glass pyrex measuring cup, measure in beeswax and coconut oil
3. Place the Pyrex cup in the saucepan
4. Melt the coconut oil and the beeswax until liquid
5. Take off heat and allow to cool slightly
6. Measure in essential oils and stir well
7. Pour into silicone molds
8. Once fully hardened, remove from silicone molds
9. Store in a cool, dry place until ready to use

Notes

To use these DIY wax melts, you can either place them on top of a wax melt warmer or set them in a warm, sunny area.

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If you’d rather use them as a lotion bar, you can totally do that as well! This recipe is a 2.2% dilution of essential oils, which is well below the dermal maximum for citronella and eucalyptus essential oils. Simply rub the bar along the skin to help keep mosquitoes at bay.

If you liked this DIY wax melts recipe try some of our other wonderful bug-repelling DIYs like this  Natural Homemade Tick Repellent That Works, Natural Homemade Mosquito/Insect/Bug Repellent, and even this Simple Effective Spray That Repels Ants Naturally. You can even grow Mosquito Repellent Plants!

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Sources

1. Mosquito Repellents.