What is a mosquito repelling candle?
A mosquito-repelling candle is a candle that releases fumes that ward off mosquitos when burned. They come in several sizes. There are tea lights all the way up to multiple gallon buckets.These candles are eco-friendly and natural. They work well without adding bad side effects. They could also enhance the beauty of your outdoor space and stand out as a decoration. They’ll make patios or porches a bite-free and itch-free zone.However, every candle has different natural ingredients. And some work better than the others….let’s talk a little about them.
How do mosquito candles work?
Mosquito candles work by releasing a strong scent that blocks out other aromas that may be attractive for mosquitos. Strong smells can muffle the odor of sweat or blood that usually attracts mosquitos to humans.
What are the ingredients?
Most of the ingredients used for these candles are essential oils. You’ll find candles with rosemary, peppermint, and the most popular – citronella.Citronella is completely natural. It’s widely known as an effective insect repellent. Essential oils are recognized as minimum risk pesticides, even by the
Environmental Protection Agency. They are relatively safe to use.
Are mosquito candles effective
Mosquito-repelling candles are not as effective as pesticides but they are safe options and they can be very helpful. However, we’ll have to consider the severity of the mosquito infestation. They are generally efficient but there are minor/additional ways of preventing these pests.If you intend to reduce the mosquito population, it’s advisable to invite the exterminators to spray your home. These candles should act as a way of preventing mosquitos in smaller spaces (such as porches, patios, or balconies). They don’t offer much area coverage and they work better outside than confined in rooms.
Where should you place these candles?
Mosquito candles are great for outdoor areas like public places where people sit and have a good time. They can be arranged decoratively to add aesthetic value.You can set up these candles in places like patios. You can leave them around the chairs or on tables. If you have a larger space, you might want to lay them in a semi-circle formation or surround your outdoor seating area.
How to position the candles properly?
Make sure to read the label for directions as to the distance at which your candles will work. If you’re using several candles, observe the spacing instructions given. Most candle containers are heat conductors, so you want to use only heat-resistance surfaces that won’t catch fire or melt.
What are the health risks of mosquito candles?
Mosquito-repelling candles are safe for human use. Citronella which is the most popular candle only has the chance of an allergic reaction. According to research, these candles pose little or no health threat to both adults, children, and the environment.
Is inhaling the fumes from mosquito candles dangerous?
Although citronella isn’t toxic or harmful, it’s not advisable to inhale too much of the fumes. It might lead to lung and skin irritation. This is why you should check the labels for safe distance directions.
Guide on how to choose a mosquito candle
We want to help you get the best products that’ll be safe and help you protect your family from annoying bites. This is a guide that’ll assist you in picking the best products for yourself.Below, we’ve listed the key pointers you should keep in mind when purchasing mosquito candles:
- Choose effective ingredients
- Pick quality candle wax
- Long-lasting potential
- Wide coverage for outdoor spaces
- Match your interior or exterior design (& pick something that has reusable containers)
- Pay attention to the shape & size
Choosing effective ingredients
You must make sure that the candles you intend to buy contain effective ingredients that can keep the bugs at bay. Effective mosquito-repelling candles are usually formulated with plant-based essential oils such as
lemongrass, rosemary, tea tree, peppermint, and citronella.These ingredients help to mask or cover the human scents that are enticing to mosquitos. This prevents them from finding you and biting you. The effectiveness of these candles decreases under windy and humid conditions as they dilute the effect of the oils.
Select long-lasting candle wax
There are different types of candle wax. They include paraffin wax, beeswax, synthesized wax, and soy wax.Most companies produce candles with paraffin wax because it’s cheap, however, it burns quicker than other types. Candles made with beeswax burn more slowly and can clean the air. They release negative ions, which can bind to harmful substances in the air and remove them completely.However, they can be a bit pricey. So, if you’re looking for the middle ground between paraffin wax and beeswax, then soy wax is the way to go! It works well and cleans the air as well.
Check the burn time of the candle
Normal mosquito candles should provide from 6 to 40 hours of protection. So it’s nice to check the burn time of a product. Be sure that it can last as long as you’ll like it to. This is especially important if you intend to take it for a camping trip.The wick length goes a long way to determine how fast your candle will burn. If the wick is too long, you will want to trim it down to 1/8 or 1/4 inch to keep the flame under control and prolong the burning time of your candle.
Get a set of multiple candles to cover large areas or a group of people
Are you planning an outdoor party that’ll require a lot of space? Do you want to keep the bugs away from all your guests? One candle won’t do the job!It’s better to burn several candles and space them out. The more people there are, the easier it is for mosquitos to smell you. So, you need more candles to cover the scents.
Choose the design you enjoy
You’ll love this part, these candles come in various designs and colors. If you are picky about designs, you’ll find several options in the market.Some are colorful and aesthetic, and they can come in handy as decor or a summer gift. Some of the containers can even be reused in the garden. On the other hand, if you don’t care about designs, you can simply get plain candles.
Pay attention to shape and size
Finally, a good mosquito candle should have a balanced shape. The diameter should not be too big. And most times, a multiple-wick candle leaves a hole in the middle and two-thirds of the wax remaining. So, a single or double wick candle is much better.
