All-Natural Mosquito Repellent Candles – A few simple ingredients, a mason jar and a few minutes of time is all you need to keep those pesky mosquitoes away.
Mosquitoes love me! Every year I get eaten alive by the little buggers. I’ve tried a bunch of different things to get them to leave me alone but I’m never thrilled with the results. Bug zappers only take care of some of the bugs, bug sprays feel nasty on your skin and candles stink to high heaven, plus I can’t stand the fact that they contain chemicals.
A few years ago I started a herb garden around my porch, and the funniest thing happened, no mosquitoes. Come to find out the basil I was growing was something that mosquitoes disliked the smell of. That’s when I came up with this simple DIY project.
MOSQUITO REPELLENT CANDLES
Step 1: The Citrus
Peel an orange, you can eat the orange but save the peel. When peeling, I like to try to keep it all in one piece, it’s not only a challenge, but it looks nicer when place in the jar.
Mosquitoes really dislike the smell of citrus so it works great at keeping them away. You could use lemon, lime, or even grapefruit, I like to using oranges because of the bright color.
Step 2: The Basil
Pick several large basil, any type will do but cinnamon basil works. Arrange the leaves in the jar along with the orange peel.
Step 3: Filling the Jars
Fill the jar with water and add a floating candle.
Place the candles anywhere that the mosquitoes are bugging you, it can also be used indoors. Mosquitoes may not like the smell but you will.
What kind of citrus did you use? We’d love to see how it turned out. Snap a pic & tag it on Instagram with @FlusterBuster #mosquitocandle
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Template updated 6/14/2020
I am constantly plagued by mosquitoes, my blood must be vsweet, I will give this a try#partyinyourpjs@_karendenniz
I’m going to give this a try!
They are great to set around for outdoor get togethers.
Looks like a winner to me. I featured you and also pinned your mosquito repellent. I’m making this, btw! Your friend, Linda @Crafts a la mode
Thank you so much for the feature, Linda!
I’ll do it! I’m tired of finding a mosquito repellent and I’m sure this will do. ❤
I’m sure you’ll love it, it looks pretty and smells good too!
Please forgive my ignorance, but what does the floating candle do?
Makes it pretty! LOL
Actually the heat from the candle helps to intensify the smell of the orange and basil and the smoke carries it into the air, thus repelling the mosquitos.
Will this work on flies as well?
I haven’t noticed that it makes a difference!
How can the citrus and basil work when their in the water,also does the candle heat the water up enough to release the smell? I really want to hear from someone who has had success with one of these before I go and buys all the items needed.
Whenever I’m entertaining outdoors, I have one of these candles burning. Not only do they look pretty but they really do work. The heat of the candle warms the water and releases the natural oils from the orange peels and basil. The oils heat up and release an aroma that is unpleasant to mosquitoes.
I use this every summer. I have small round fish bowls instead of jars. I also use thyme or rosemary.. Lemon and lime also smell good with the herbs and keeps the insects away. Candles at Night are so pretty.
That sounds absolutely beautiful! I love the idea of using small fish bowls, such a creative touch, and adding thyme, rosemary, lemon, and lime must make them smell amazing too! Thanks so much for sharing your lovely twist on it!
Basil is really my favorite for this, but all of the others work great! Thanks for sharing
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! Basil really is such a fantastic (and fragrant!) choice for keeping mosquitoes away. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your favorite!