See why I began diffusing an essential oil mosquito repellent blend instead of burning a commercial citronella candle. It just works better!
Citronella candles are one of the most recognizable scents of summer, and almost every backyard barbeque, summer picnic, or campfire seems to feature citronella.
Would it surprise you to learn that citronella may not be the best way to protect yourself against pests? Furthermore, I give you 5 reasons to ditch the citronella candle and use my suggestion instead.
1. Are You Burning Fragrance OR real Citronella
While most citronella candles do contain real citronella, some also have additional synthetic fragrances added. This is a good reason to make your own essential oil mosquito repellent blend. Companies do this to change the fragrance so that it is more pleasant or stronger. Burning this synthetic fragrance could be potentially harmful and irritating. Unfortunately, manufacturers will not list ingredients unless they are hazardous for in-home products. When you choose to buy a mainstream candle, many times you will not know the ingredients.
2. You Could Be Burning Chemicals
This is the main reason I make my own essential oil mosquito repellent blend. Take a look a the information provided for this citronella candle on the US Household Products Database. The ingredients listed are 1% citronella. That’s it; 99% of the formula is left out. It isn’t on the label or on any MSDS. The ingredients could certainly be benign, but if you don’t have access to the full ingredient list, you cannot decide about purchasing it.
3. Open Flames Can Be Dangerous
This might seem like an obvious reason, but open flames can be dangerous. This essential oil mosquito repellent blend is not. Many times I’ve been outside burning a citronella candle and I think it’s out of reach for my child. But somehow he always manages to get close! I prefer not to use any open flames when my kids are outside.
Additionally, open flames can be very dangerous when you are camping or spending time in wooded areas. Forest fires start very quickly and can be devastating to the land.
4. Many Commercial Candles Contain Palm Oil
If you don’t know what the big deal about palm oil is, you should! This is another reason I make my own essential oil mosquito repellent. They harvest palm oil in tropical areas of Africa and South America where the native cultures and peoples highly value it.
However, palm oil has recently been harvested for commercial use in soaps, foods, and other home products like candles. Many companies harvest this precious resource using unethical practices, which results in deforestation, damage to local animal habitats, and a significant impact on local people. In addition, it puts palm trees in danger. It’s always important to look for sustainably sourced palm oil or products that do not contain any palm oil.
5. There are BETTER and MORE effective alternatives to Citronella Candles
Did you know that there are other, more effective alternatives to citronella candles? My favorite natural replacement for citronella candles is using my diffuser when I am outside enjoying summer nights on my porch. (See my favorite essential oil mosquito repellent diffuser blend below.)
Note: You can also find our essential oil based homemade mosquito repellent here.
If you want to read a very informative scholarly article on the effectiveness of a variety of herbs, plants, and essential oils concerning their effectiveness against mosquitoes, check out this article on PubMed. The article states that “the most effective of these include thyme oil, geraniol, peppermint oil, cedar oil, patchouli and clove that have been found to repel malaria, filarial and yellow fever vectors for a period of 60-180 mins.” However, these oils dissipate quickly and often need a fixative (a heavier weighted oil) to help them stay effective for longer periods of time.
That’s why I love using my diffuser outside. It provides a nice mist of protection for my small area. While I occasionally include citronella in my preparations, I have found that patchouli, clove, and lemongrass essential oils work particularly well.
Below is my favorite essential oil mosquito repellent diffuser blend that I use while sitting outside.
Essential Oil Mosquito Repellent Diffuser Blend
See why I began diffusing an essential oil mosquito repellent blend instead of burning a commercial citronella candle. It just works better!
- Prep Time
- 5 minutes
- Active Time
- 5 minutes
- Total Time
- 10 minutes
- Servings
- 1 blend
- Estimated Cost
- $1
Ingredients
- 4 drops patchouli essential oil
- 3 drops lemongrass essential oil
- 3 drops clove essential oil
Instructions
-
Add all essential oils to a large capacity diffuser (find one here).
-
I set it to mist intermittently, 30 minutes on, 15 minutes off, while I sit and enjoy summer nights on my porch.
Recipe Video
Notes
This essential oil mosquito repellent blend works really well and is a lot cheaper than buying one of those citronella candles. Enjoy!
Made this recipe?
Mention @diynatural or tag it #diynatural!
Do you have an essential oil mosquito repellent blend you prefer? If so, what is it?
*******
Stephanie Scott says
Have you tried this blend of repellant oil on your skin?
Debbie says
I would love use a DYI a mosquito diffuser blend. The darn things think I am the most wonderful snack. Unfortunately, the scent of patchouli and I do not get along. What is the next best oil to combine with the lemongrass and clove? Thank you.
Carol L says
Could you use this to diffuse inside?
How about pet safety?
Thanks for the recipe. I dislike the scent of citronella, but have the essential oil for making recipes to deter bugs….This sounds much more pleasant to smell!!!
Susan Mercurio says
Could you please add a recipe for natural human flea repellent?
I live in West Virginia, which has more fleas per square foot than any other place in the U.S. that I’ve ever lived! I’m being eaten up by the little beggars.
I can use a flea repellent for dogs on my dog, and for cats on my cats, but there’s nothing commercial for humanity. I know that I will have to clean the whole house and all the bedding, etc. but that’s not enough.
Thanks,
Susan Mercurio
phil Meyers says
Fleas do not like lavender oil or clove oil ! Mix those two with a carrier oil like coconut oil and lather your lower extremities and or pant legs with the mix . Get some food grade diatomaceous earth and spread it around the house as you are leaving (do not breath the dust) you will find that fleas will leave the area! Good luck,,,Phil
Susan Mercurio says
Dear Phil,
Thanks! They’re in my bed and biting me all over my body, not just jumping on me when I walk through the room.
I’ll just rub it all over when I go to bed. That’s wonderful news.
Susan Mercurio
Janet Irvine says
Funny enough, the best and most natural way to kill fleas is to attract them with a small night light, hung over a pan of oil. We used to live in an area that had tons of fleas as well and this flea trap was a life saver for us while we rented a house with carpet.
Take any large plastic recycling container that has a lid. Draw a cutting line all around on the side of the container, 1 inch up from the bottom. Draw another one 1 inch from the top. Now you need to cut wide windows out from the top line down to the bottom, leaving 2-4 half inch supports to keep the top and bottom from separating.
Cut a small hole in the center of the lid, just large enough for the screw end of the 5watt night light bulb to fit through. Light bulb to the inside and screw light plug to the other side. Attach a power cord to the light and place on the floor at night. Cover the bottom of the container with just enough oil to stop the fleas jumping out after they jump towards the lights heat.
Sounds silly but it works. :o)
Wanda says
Can this be used to keep mosquitos out of the house? Especially out of bedrooms at night.
Gary says
Yes, it is safe to use but not continuously.
30-45 minutes on, then off for the same amount of time.
Continuous diffusing promotes saturation onto other items.
I am a certified aroma therapist.