Chloe Adams
Citronella candles are a popular choice for keeping mosquitoes away, but their effectiveness has been questioned. While some claim that citronella candles create a fragrant barrier that confuses mosquitoes' sensory receptors, others argue that they are no more effective than any other candle-produced smoke. With the risk of diseases such as the West Nile virus and Zika associated with mosquito bites, it is important to evaluate the best methods for mosquito control. This includes a multipronged approach, targeting sources where mosquitoes breed and using alternative repellents with active ingredients like Picaridin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | Citronella candles are not very effective in keeping mosquitoes away. However, they are moderately effective in the immediate area surrounding the candle. |
| Safety | Citronella candles are natural insect repellents that do not overpower the senses. |
| Alternative uses | Citronella candles can be used to set the mood and add to the outdoor ambiance. |
| Alternatives | Other alternatives to citronella candles include fans, bug zappers, and EPA-approved repellents like DEET and picaridin. |
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What You'll Learn
Citronella candles are ineffective mosquito repellents
While citronella candles are popular for keeping mosquitoes away, they are not very effective in doing so. A study that tested 11 types of repellents on Aedes aegypti mosquitoes—the vectors of Zika, yellow fever, dengue, and other diseases—found that most did not live up to their promises. At a distance of 1 meter, DEET and oil of lemon eucalyptus sprays reduced mosquito attraction by 60%, while citronella candles had no such effect.
Citronella is an essential oil distilled from dried cultivated grasses. It has long been regarded as a "natural" mosquito repellent and is sold in various forms, including candles, essential oil diffusers, and tiki torches. However, there is no indication that citronella candles provide more protection than any other candle-produced smoke. That's because essential oils do not offer as substantial an invisible shield as EPA-approved repellents like DEET and picaridin.
While the heat from a citronella candle's flame causes the citronella oil to evaporate into the air, creating a fragrant barrier that confuses mosquitoes' sensory receptors, the candles must burn for at least 20–30 minutes to release enough citronella oil into the air to make a difference. Even then, citronella candles are only moderately effective at repelling mosquitoes in the immediate area surrounding the candle.
Therefore, while citronella candles may provide some level of protection against mosquitoes, they are not a reliable method for keeping these insects at bay.
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Other mosquito-repelling methods
While citronella candles can add to the outdoor ambiance, they are not very effective at repelling mosquitoes. Here are some alternative methods that can help you keep mosquitoes at bay:
Fans
Using a fan is a low-tech and easy method to keep mosquitoes away, as they are weak flyers. Joe Conlon, the American Mosquito Control Association's technical adviser, recommends keeping the fan low, below table level, as mosquitoes that spread Zika tend to bite at the lower extremities and hide under furniture.
EPA-Approved Repellents
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved various mosquito repellents that are more effective than citronella candles. These include:
- DEET: This is a reliable and highly effective repellent that has been commercially available since 1957. It is sold under numerous brand names and comes in lotions, sprays, and other forms. Products with 10% to 35% DEET provide adequate protection, and higher concentrations do not offer significantly more protection. DEET should be used with caution around children, who may experience irritation or other reactions with prolonged skin contact or ingestion.
- Picaridin: This is an effective alternative to DEET, providing long-lasting protection comparable to about a 10% concentration of DEET.
- IR-3535: This repellent has been used in Europe for a long time and provides long-lasting protection for those seeking a non-DEET product.
- Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus: This natural repellent has been approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as an effective ingredient in mosquito repellent. It provides protection similar to repellents with 15%-20% concentrations of DEET. However, it should not be used on children under three due to a lack of testing for this age group.
Permethrin-Treated Clothing
Permethrin is a pesticide and repellent that is effective on clothing, tent walls, and mosquito nets. It can retain its potency for at least two weeks, even through several launderings. Treating clothing with permethrin or buying pre-treated clothing can provide excellent protection when combined with skin-applied repellents.
Spatial Repellents
Spatial repellents, such as the Thermacell E65 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller, can effectively cover an entire area instead of just one person. However, they may lose efficacy in breezy conditions.
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Citronella oil and candles as a fragrant barrier
Citronella oil is an essential oil distilled from dried cultivated grasses. It has long been regarded as a "natural" mosquito repellent and is sold in various forms, including candles, tiki torches, and coils. When a citronella candle is lit, the heat from the flame causes the citronella oil to evaporate into the air, creating a fragrant barrier that confuses mosquitoes' sensory receptors. However, citronella candles must burn for at least 20–30 minutes to release enough citronella oil into the air to make a difference.
While some people swear by citronella as a mosquito repellent, others argue that it is not very effective. One study that tested 11 types of repellents on Aedes aegypti mosquitoes—the vectors of Zika, yellow fever, dengue, and other diseases—found that citronella candles were not as effective as other repellents like DEET and oil of lemon eucalyptus sprays.
Despite the mixed reviews, citronella candles and oils are known to be highly effective and affordable options for many people. They can be placed around outdoor spaces, such as patios, decks, or gardens, to create a barrier that keeps unwanted insects at bay. Citronella can also be used in oil diffusers, which disperse the fresh, lemony scent throughout a home or space.
In addition to candles and oils, citronella can be grown in pots or directly in a garden to add extra greenery and a pleasant aroma to outdoor spaces. Positioning the plants around seating areas, entryways, or windows can maximize their effectiveness in repelling insects.
Overall, while citronella may not be the most effective mosquito repellent on the market, it can still be a useful tool in creating a fragrant barrier to confuse and deter mosquitoes and other insects from entering your personal space.
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Citronella plants as a mosquito repellent
Citronella plants, also known as mosquito plants, are a variety of scented geraniums that contain citronellal, a chemical that bugs, including mosquitoes, dislike. The chemical is also responsible for the plant's distinctive lemony scent.
Citronella plants are marketed as a natural mosquito repellent, with the promise that planting them will encourage mosquitoes to stay away. However, studies have found that simply having a citronella plant or even several of them in your garden will not be enough to deter mosquitoes. This is because the amount of citronellal in citronella plants is very low—its essential oil contains less than 0.1%.
Some people suggest crushing the leaves of the citronella plant and applying the oil to the skin as a mosquito repellent. However, this method is not very effective, as the oil concentration is still too low to be potent. In addition, oil of citronella may cause skin or eye irritation and could trigger allergies in some people.
If you are looking for a natural mosquito repellent, other plants with higher concentrations of citronellal include lemongrass, lemon balm, and kaffir lime. These plants can be used to create homemade bug sprays that may be more effective than relying on citronella plants alone.
While citronella plants may not be the most effective mosquito repellent, they are still popular for their refreshing scent and can be grown in containers or gardens, especially in hot, humid areas.
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Other uses of citronella oil
While citronella oil is best known as an insect repellent, it has several other uses and benefits. Here are some of its other applications:
- Perfumery and cosmetics: Citronella oil is widely used in the perfumery and cosmetics industries due to its pleasant, floral, and citrus-like aroma. It is a source of valuable perfumery chemicals such as citronellal, citronellol, and geraniol. These chemicals are also used in soaps, candles, incense, and flavouring.
- Fungicide: Research has found that citronella oil can destroy the cell walls of fungi and kill the organisms within, making it potentially useful as a safe and environmentally friendly fungicide. It has been shown to be effective against a range of fungi, including Candida albicans, which can cause infections in humans.
- Antibacterial: In addition to its antifungal properties, citronella oil also has antibacterial properties. A study found that it was effective against 15 out of 22 strains of bacteria.
- Treating rashes and infections: Citronella oil has been used in traditional medicine in China and Indonesia for centuries to treat rashes, infections, and other health conditions. However, it should be noted that citronella oil can also cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals, especially with prolonged or frequent exposure.
- Cancer treatment: While the potential of citronella oil to cause cancer has not been extensively studied, it is known that geraniol, one of its major components, has been observed to reduce the growth of certain cancers. However, it is important to note that another component, methyleugenol, is considered a potential human carcinogen.
- Room freshener: Citronella oil can be used as a spray application to freshen up a room. When inhaled, it may have a relaxing or stimulating effect on individuals, depending on the person.
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Frequently asked questions
Citronella candles are only moderately effective at repelling mosquitoes and only in the immediate area surrounding the candle. The heat from the flame causes the citronella oil to evaporate into the air, creating a fragrant barrier that confuses mosquitoes' sensory receptors. However, they are not suitable for use in enclosed areas.
Citronella candles must burn for at least 20-30 minutes to release enough citronella oil into the air to make a difference.
Yes, you can use fans, bug zappers, or introduce wildlife to your yard that eats insects, such as birds and bats. You can also use EPA-approved repellents like DEET and picaridin.
Yes, you can buy citronella bug oil to put in tiki torches and outdoor warmers. You can also make a homemade citronella spray or use citronella in an essential oil diffuser.
Place citronella candles around your patio, deck, or garden to create a barrier that keeps unwanted insects at bay. Position them near seating areas, entryways, or windows to maximize their effectiveness.
