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
-
How to Weather Metal -
3 Sisters Garden -
Chalkboard Planters -
Summer Outdoor Activities -
DIY Bunny Plant Pokes -
Homemade Plant Food -
How to Keep Animals Out -
DIY Garden Stakes
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a commission. I only recommend products or services that I personally believe will add value to my readers. All opinions stated are strictly my own. Read our full disclosure policy for more information.
Template updated 6/14/2020
I am constantly plagued by mosquitoes, my blood must be vsweet, I will give this a try#[email protected]_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!