Do Scented Candles Keep Bugs Away?
Candles are a wonderful way to set the mood, but they don’t always do everything they’re supposed to do. For instance, if you have a bug problem in your home or garden, scented candles may not be the best solution—at least not if those candles contain citronella oil.
Citronella may repel mosquitoes and other insects from entering your space, but it could also hurt people with asthma or allergies who have chemical sensitivities (and make them sicker). So if you’re looking for ways to keep bugs away from your space without chemicals or pesticides…
Citronella Candles May Keep Mosquitoes at Bay
If you’re looking for a way to keep mosquitoes at bay, citronella candles may be the answer you’ve been looking for. Citronella is a pungent essential oil that has been used as an insect repellent since the mid-1800s. It’s also an effective mosquito repellent at lower concentrations than DEET, which can cause skin irritation and delayed breathing when inhaled by children and pets.
Citronella candles are safe to use around children and pets—as long as they are only lit in enclosed areas where there is little chance of flame spread (such as on porches or patios). They’re also safe to burn near water sources like lakes, pools, or campfires; however, it’s important not to allow any kind of open flame within 10 feet of these areas so as not to burn down nearby vegetation or cause fires elsewhere in your yard!
Scented Candles May Contain Lead Wicks
One of the most common scents in candles is vanilla. It’s a delicious smell and one that can help you relax. But did you know that some candles may contain lead wicks?
Lead is a heavy metal that can be toxic to your body and cause serious health problems if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Lead exposure during pregnancy has been linked to birth defects, developmental delays, and even death in babies born with low levels of lead in their blood (1).
If you have children under 6 years old who like using scented candles—or if they’re living with someone who does—it’s important to monitor them closely while burning this type of product so they don’t accidentally ingest any dangerous substances found inside them!
Candle Scents That Keep Bugs Away
Citronella
Citronella is a perennial herb native to warm areas of southern Europe and North Africa. It’s used in the production of citronella candles, which are most effective when burned in the evening or early morning hours. The scent helps repel mosquitoes, flies, and other insects that would otherwise be attracted by its strong scent.
Citronella candles have been shown to affect both humans and bugs; they may also be preferred by some people because they don’t produce as much smoke as some other scents do—meaning you won’t need an additional fan or venting system if you choose them over other options like flowers or essential oils (which tend to be more prominent).
Lemon Eucalyptus
Lemon eucalyptus is a good option for keeping bugs away from your home. It is effective at deterring insects and even repelling them from the area where it was applied. The scent of lemon eucalyptus can be used in indoor candle holders or any other space where you’d like to keep insects out, such as closets or basements.
Lavender
Lavender is an excellent bug repellent, and it’s also a natural mood enhancer. It’s known to reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and leave you feeling relaxed and happy. And if that isn’t enough to make it your go-to candle scent for repelling bugs away from you at night—well then we don’t know what will!
You can find lavender in many different forms: essential oil drops (which are used as fragrances), concentrated liquid extracts (for use in aromatherapy), or even dried flowers. The type of lavender depends on its purpose: some are sweeter than others; some have more citrus notes than others;
All have unique qualities that make them perfect for different purposes—from soothing sore muscles after a long day at work to helping children fall asleep faster so they can get restful sleep each night without worrying about being bitten by bugs during the nighttime hours when most people tend not want anything disturbing them while trying hard not wake up from dreams.
Geranium
Geranium essential oil is a natural insect repellent. The geranium oil has a strong smell and can be used in candles, lotions, and soap. You can also use it as a room freshener by adding some drops of geranium essential oil to your favorite scented candle.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a popular scent for candles and air fresheners. It’s also an excellent insect repellent, which makes it great for keeping away those pesky bugs from your home.
If you want to make sure that the scent of lemongrass stays around long enough to keep bugs away, consider adding some citrus essential oils to the mix! Citrus essential oils have been shown in studies conducted at the University of Rhode Island (URI) to be effective at deterring mosquitoes from landing on plants.
Peppermint
Peppermint is a natural bug repellent that can be used in candles and scented oil sprays. It’s one of the most popular essential oils on the market today.
Peppermint oil is great for keeping away mosquitoes and other biting insects because its strong odor makes them recoil from you. It also works as an effective room spray to repel insects (including bed bugs) when sprayed directly onto surfaces or furniture where they may be hiding out at night after feeding on you during the day!
Adding peppermint oil to your candle will give it an almost instant boost in power—and if you want even greater protection against pests, consider adding some lavender essential oil as well!
Rosemary
Rosemary is a perennial herb that’s native to the Mediterranean region. It has a spicy, piney scent and has many medicinal uses—it can be used as an antiseptic, analgesic, antispasmodic, and sedative. Rosemary is also used as a spice in cooking (and is sometimes called the “herb of grace”).
For mosquitoes, citronella oil can help repel them.
Citronella oil is an insect repellent. It’s a natural and effective way to keep mosquitoes away from you, your kids, and your pets.
Citronella oil has been proven to be one of the best natural ways to keep mosquitoes away from your home or yard.
Citronella oil is safe for humans and pets alike—and even helps repel other bugs like spiders or flies!
Conclusion
If you want to keep mosquitoes at bay, try using scented candles. Citronella oil is one of the most effective repellents for these insects and can be found in most candle brands. Just be sure not to use anything else on your skin or in your house—the citronella oil might not be enough alone!