Jessie Taylor
Mosquitoes are a common pest, especially during the summer months. Many people turn to candles, sprays, and other products to keep them at bay. One popular option is citronella candles, which are made from an essential oil that comes from a grass plant of the cymbopogon genus and has been used for centuries to ward off bugs. While these candles are marketed as a natural mosquito repellent, there is much debate over their effectiveness. Some claim that they are only moderately effective in the immediate area surrounding the candle, while others argue that they do not provide any more protection than any other candle-produced smoke.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are candles effective in repelling mosquitoes? | Citronella candles are moderately effective at repelling mosquitoes but only in the immediate area surrounding the candle. The closer you are to the candle, the less likely you are to be bitten. |
| Are there any alternatives to candles? | Yes, there are many alternatives to candles, such as fans, mosquito traps, repellent bracelets, ultrasonic devices, bug sprays, and mosquito repellent devices. |
| Are there any plants that help keep mosquitoes away? | Yes, certain plants have mosquito-repelling properties, such as lavender, mint, rosemary, and lemongrass. |
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What You'll Learn
Citronella candles are not effective at repelling mosquitos
While citronella candles are popular, they are not very effective in keeping mosquitoes away. In a wind tunnel experiment, scientists measured how many mosquitoes moved towards a human "bait" when different repellents were used, including a citronella candle. The results showed that the citronella candle combined with a human subject attracted slightly more mosquitoes than the human bait alone, indicating that citronella candles may not be effective at repelling mosquitoes and may even attract more mosquitoes.
Another study published in the Journal of Insect Science tested five sprays, five wearable devices, and a citronella candle to determine their effectiveness in repelling mosquitoes. The DEET and oil of lemon eucalyptus sprays reduced mosquito attraction by 60% at a distance of 1 meter, while the citronella candle had a weak repellent effect. The researchers concluded that most of the products did not live up to the promises on their labels, including the citronella candle.
Furthermore, citronella candles do not prevent mosquitoes from breeding and multiplying. While the candles may provide a pleasant scent and ambiance, they are not a reliable method for mosquito control. It is important to note that mosquitoes interpret their environment through multiple chemical receptors, and essential oils like citronella do not offer as substantial protection as EPA-approved repellents like DEET and picaridin.
Instead of relying on citronella candles, it is recommended to use EPA-approved repellents with active ingredients like DEET, lemon eucalyptus oil, or picaridin. These products have been shown to be more effective in repelling mosquitoes and providing protection against mosquito bites. Additionally, eliminating breeding sources and using other mosquito control strategies can help reduce the presence of mosquitoes in your environment.
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DEET and picaridin are EPA-approved repellents
While candles, such as citronella candles, are often marketed as mosquito repellents, they are not effective and may even attract more mosquitoes. This is because mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide in human breath, and candles produce carbon dioxide as they burn.
If you're looking for a safe and effective way to repel mosquitoes, skip the candles and opt for EPA-approved repellents containing DEET or picaridin. These chemical repellents offer long-lasting and wide-ranging protection against mosquitoes, ticks, and many fly species. DEET, which stands for N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, is considered the gold standard in terms of its effectiveness. It's been more widely studied and used than any other repellent, and the EPA has reported that it does not present a health concern to the general population, including children, when used as instructed. However, it should be handled with care as it can damage plastics.
Picaridin, on the other hand, is a newer repellent that is considered just as effective as DEET for mosquitoes and ticks, and it works better on flies. It has minimal odour and does not damage plastics or other synthetics. It is a synthetic version of a repellent found in pepper plants and provides maximum protection when formulated with a 20% concentration. EPA-approved picaridin formulas, such as Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent, are safe and effective and offer even and accurate spraying.
Both DEET and picaridin formulas are widely available, but it's important to follow the application guidelines carefully, especially when using them on children. For clothing and gear, permethrin-treated products are also effective at repelling mosquitoes and ticks, but they should not be applied to the skin.
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Fans are an effective way to keep mosquitos away
While candles, especially citronella candles, are often marketed as an effective way to repel mosquitos, they are not very reliable. In fact, some sources suggest that candles may even attract more mosquitos due to the higher concentrations of CO2 in the air.
Fans, on the other hand, are an effective way to keep mosquitos away. Mosquitos are weak fliers, so circulating air can stop them from reaching you. A fan can reduce mosquito landings on your skin by up to 65%. An oscillating fan is best for covering a large area for multiple people, but even a simple box fan will do the trick if you're sitting in the fan's stream. To maximise the effectiveness of a fan, keep it at knee level, as mosquitos tend to fly low.
Fans are also a non-toxic way to keep mosquitos away, unlike other methods that use insecticides. For example, the OFF! clip-on fan containing the insecticide metofluthrin has been found to be effective. However, insecticides like DEET, a common ingredient in bug sprays, have been known to cause skin and eye irritation and trigger other sensitivities.
While fans are an effective way to keep mosquitos away, they may not be practical for all situations. For example, if you are trying to keep mosquitos away while camping or at a barbeque, setting up a fan may not be feasible. In these cases, it may be worth trying other mosquito repellent methods, keeping in mind that citronella candles are only moderately effective in the immediate area surrounding the candle.
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Mosquito traps don't live up to their marketing claims
Mosquito traps don't seem to live up to their marketing claims. Propane-based traps like the Mega-Catch Ultra Pro 900 and Mosquito Magnet Patriot Plus, and UV-based traps like the Katchy Insect Trap, do catch mosquitoes, but the problem is that mosquitoes find humans more attractive than the traps. A study published in Acta Tropica showed that these traps are only effective when four of them are set up in a perimeter fashion.
Conlon from the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) refutes the claims made by many mosquito trap models: "The ones that purport to keep an entire acre mosquito-free, that's complete nonsense. Those are extrapolations from caged studies that are done in small tented areas where mosquitoes can't escape." He also notes that there is zero evidence that sound-based mosquito repellent products work, a claim supported by at least 10 studies in the past 15 years.
In addition to traps, there are other mosquito-fighting products that don't seem to work as advertised, such as citronella candles, anti-mosquito bracelets, and sonic mosquito repellers. A study published in the Journal of Insect Science found that these products gave consumers a false sense of protection against mosquitoes when they actually offered none.
While there is no one solution to mosquito control that works 100% of the time, there are a handful of mosquito repellents that do work in most situations. For example, the Thermacell E65 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller shields an entire area, instead of just one person, by using heat to vaporize a liquid repellent. This method is almost as effective as a full application of bug spray repellent.
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Some mosquito repellents work in most situations
While there is no one solution to mosquito control that works 100% of the time, there are a handful of mosquito repellents that do work in most situations.
The Thermacell E65 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller, for example, shields an entire area from mosquitoes by using heat to vaporize a liquid repellent. The E65 is almost as effective as a full application of bug spray repellent. Its butane cartridge is less convenient than the E65's rechargeable battery, but it is more rugged and therefore better for camping or sporting events.
Another effective tool for keeping mosquitoes at bay is a simple fan. Mosquitoes are weak fliers, so circulating air can stop them from reaching you. An oscillating fan is best for covering a large area, but even a simple box fan will do the job if you're sitting in the fan's stream.
To reduce mosquito numbers, it's important to eliminate all sources in which mosquitoes breed. This includes draining or treating water in ponds, birdbaths, and fountains with larvicide, as well as flushing water out of plants that hold water, such as bromeliads.
Some mosquito repellent sprays, such as those containing DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus, have been found to reduce mosquito attraction by 60% at a distance of 1 meter. However, it is worth noting that DEET has been known to cause skin and eye irritation and trigger other sensitivities. As an alternative, some companies have developed bug sprays that use Picaridin, which is a less irritating insect repellent.
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Frequently asked questions
Citronella candles are not very effective in keeping mosquitos away. While they are moderately effective at repelling mosquitos in the immediate area surrounding the candle, they do not keep mosquitos out of your yard and they do nothing to prevent mosquitos from multiplying.
One of the most effective insect repellents is an active ingredient called DEET. Other alternatives include Picaridin, a less irritating insect repellent, and mosquito-repelling plants such as lavender, mint, rosemary, and lemongrass.
Keep your yard neat and eliminate sources of standing water, such as rain or irrigation water falling on leaves, where mosquitos lay their eggs. If you have a pond or other decorative water feature, you can treat the water with a larvicide that kills mosquito eggs.
