Citronella candles have long been used as a way to ward off pesky mosquitoes and other insects, especially during outdoor events. How do you know how many you need? Do they actually work? We tell you everything you need to know about them here.

When you buy candles, it is important to realize that not all candle manufacturers are the same.  Some have very high product standards, others leave much to be desired. It all depends what you are looking for.

Citronella is an essential oil which is known to be a natural insect repellent. It comes from the Cymbopogon species of plants, which is basically a tall perennial grass that is native to tropical areas. Many people prefer using it because it is all natural and thus unlike other commercial products intended to keep flying insects away it is not loaded with many dangerous and toxic chemicals which could potentially cause problems to others as well as be bad for our environment.

When candles are made, the manufacturer will typically infuse the oil fragrance with melted wax. The candles work in a way so that when the wick is lit and the wax melts, the fragrance is released.

For this reason, it is most important when using these types of candles that you consider the size of the melt pool, because the melt pool will be what determines how much fragrance is released and therefore how effectively it will work in keeping insects especially mosquitoes away. The size of the candle is somewhat important, since a larger candle will have more of the fragrance, but it will also likely take longer to create a sufficient melt pool.

Three wick candles for larger sized candles are likely the best option, because the warmth of the three wicks will cause the wax to melt faster as well as more evenly. An even distribution will greatly help in making sure that it is effective.

You will also want to consider how many candles will be needed. Many people ask the question “How Many Citronella Candles?” do I need, which is an important one. The typical candle will only have a range of about 3-6 feet, so for your standard sized deck you will want to make sure the candles are placed about 3-6 feet apart to create a central radius.

Using oil lamps, also known as the Tiki Torch, which we have pictured here, is another, somewhat more effective way of using citronella as a repellent for insects, because you do not have to worry about the wax melting. However, many people still prefer candles as they are simply much more appeasing to the eye and somewhat safer as well as easier to set up, since you often need to go to special accommodations to set up oil lamps.

Here are some of the most popular citronella candle types:

Now that you know what to look for and how to choose citronella candles, you’re ready to have a great time outdoors, without the bugs!