How Do You Make Homemade Candles To Keep Mosquitoes Away?

Mosquitoes can be more than just a nuisance – they can spread dangerous diseases like malaria, West Nile virus, and Zika. According to the CDC, mosquitoes are responsible for the deaths of millions of people each year worldwide. In the United States alone, there are thousands of cases of West Nile virus reported annually. While mosquitoes will likely always be around during warmer months, there are ways to reduce their presence and protect yourself and your family.

One method is using candles made with essential oils that naturally repel mosquitoes. With just a few simple ingredients like soy wax, cotton wicks, and repellent essential oils, you can easily make homemade candles that create a protective scent boundary around your outdoor living spaces. These DIY mosquito repellent candles allow you to enjoy the outdoors without worrying as much about mosquito bites. Making your own also allows you to customize the scents and customize them to your exact needs.

Reasons to Make Homemade Candles

Making your own homemade candles allows you to control exactly what goes into them. Store-bought candles often contain synthetic fragrances, dyes, and other chemicals that you may want to avoid. Homemade candles provide the opportunity to use more natural ingredients.

Many commercial mosquito repellent candles contain DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), a powerful chemical insect repellent. While DEET is effective at repelling mosquitoes, some people are sensitive to it and develop rashes or irritation from skin contact ^[1]. Making your own mosquito repellent candles allows you to avoid chemicals like DEET.

Instead, homemade candles can be infused with essential oils from plants like citronella, lemongrass, lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus. These oils provide a more natural way to repel mosquitoes without harsh chemicals touching your skin.

Essential Oils That Repel Mosquitoes

Certain essential oils contain compounds that naturally repel mosquitoes. Some of the most effective oils include:

Citronella – This popular essential oil, used at concentrations of 5 to 10%, is one of the most well-known natural repellents. Citronella has a pleasant grassy scent that mosquitoes don’t like (1).

Lavender – Lavender oil contains linalool and linalyl acetate, which have been found to deter mosquitoes. Studies show lavender oil provides 2-4 hours of protection (2).

Peppermint – The menthol in peppermint oil produces a cooling sensation on skin that drives mosquitoes away. Applying diluted peppermint oil can protect against bites for up to 2 hours (3).

Other oils like lemongrass, thyme, lemon eucalyptus, and tea tree also contain compounds that naturally ward off mosquitoes. Using a blend of several oils can boost repellency.

Other Repellent Plants

In addition to essential oils, there are certain plants known for their mosquito repelling properties that can be incorporated into homemade candles. Some of the most popular options are:

Catnip – Catnip contains nepetalactone which is extremely effective at keeping mosquitoes at bay. Fresh catnip can be added to candle wax or dried and put into sachets to go inside candles. According to research by Iowa State University, catnip is up to 10 times more effective than DEET at repelling mosquitoes (https://www.gardendesign.com/plants/mosquito-repellent.html).

Lemon Balm – Like catnip, lemon balm contains compounds that both block mosquitoes’ sense of smell and repel them. Dried lemon balm leaves can be used in candle making for a pleasant lemony aroma. Research shows lemon balm oil provided complete protection from mosquitoes for up to 2 hours (https://www.gardendesign.com/plants/mosquito-repellent.html).

Marigolds, basil, garlic, and lavender are some other plants that contain natural repellents and can be incorporated into homemade candles as well.

Candle Wick and Wax Options

When making candles, selecting the right wick and wax is crucial for proper burning and an even melt pool. The wick transports the melted wax up to the flame. If the wick is too small, the melted wax can drown the wick and extinguish the flame. If the wick is too large, it creates excess sooting from a larger flame. The wax holds the shape of the candle and can affect burn time.

Common wick types include:

• Cotton wicks – Made of natural fibers, these provide a bright flame and are good for container candles. Different ply (strands) work for different diameter containers.
• Paper cored wicks – Have an inner paper core that allows for a cooler flame. Good for paraffin wax.
• Wooden wicks – Give a crackling sound when burned. Made from wood shavings/dust.
• Zinc or tin core wicks – Metal core transmits heat to melt wax pool. Used for large pillar candles.

For mosquito repellent candles, popular waxes include:

• Paraffin wax – Most commonly used. Relatively inexpensive.[Source: https://candlewic.com/]
• Soy wax – Made from soybeans. Natural and eco-friendly.
• Beeswax – All-natural from honeycomb. Has a lovely honey aroma.

Testing different wick types and waxes is recommended to find your optimal homemade candle recipe.

Making the Candle

Making a homemade mosquito repellent candle is easy with just a few key steps. Here is a step-by-step guide with images on how to make candles at home:

1. Prepare your materials. You’ll need wax (paraffin, soy, or beeswax), wicks, fragrance oils, and jars or other containers. Make sure your jars are clean and dry. According to Shopify, use a wick with a diameter that is roughly 1/3 the width of your container.

2. Melt the wax. Use a double boiler or microwave to melt your wax completely. Melting point varies: soy wax melts at 115–145°F, paraffin wax at 135–145°F, and beeswax at 144–147°F. Avoid overheating the wax.

3. Add fragrance oils. Once wax is melted, turn off heat. Add in your essential oils or fragrance oils and stir thoroughly. Common mosquito repellent oils include citronella, lemongrass, eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender. Use 2-3% of oil per pound of wax.

4. Pour into containers. Carefully pour the melted wax into each container, leaving 1⁄4 inch of headspace. Let candles sit until a thin skin forms on top, then gently place wicks into the center.

5. Cool completely. Allow candles to fully harden and cool, which could take up to 48 hours. Trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before burning.

Customizing Your Candles

One of the best parts about making homemade candles is being able to customize them however you like. You can get creative with the candle shapes, colors, and scents to make them truly unique.

For shaping your homemade candles, you can use various molds and containers. Small mason jars make great candle holders and you can find all sorts of shaped molds for figures, geometric shapes, flowers, and more. Get creative by placing dried flowers or herbs, beads, glitter, or other small objects in the bottom of the container before pouring in wax. Just be sure any objects are heat resistant (Source 1).

Candle waxes come in different colors, but you can also color them yourself using candle dye. A few drops is usually enough to get a vibrant color. Popular colors for homemade candles are blues, greens, and earth tones, but let your imagination run wild.

Choosing the right essential oil scent is key. Consider scents that repel mosquitoes like citronella, lemongrass, lavender, peppermint, cedarwood, tea tree, and eucalyptus. You can also mix scents together for a custom aroma. Start with 1-2 drops of essential oil per ounce of wax and adjust to your liking.

Safety Tips

When making candles at home, it’s important to follow safety precautions to avoid potential hazards.

Wax can cause severe burns if spilled on skin, so wear long sleeves, closed shoes, and be cautious when melting and pouring wax. Work slowly and carefully. Let wax cool completely before moving candles. Consider using a thermometer to monitor wax temperature and avoid overheating (source).

Candle wicks should be kept trimmed to 1⁄4 inch to prevent excess smoke and dripping. Choose wicks that are compatible with your wax type and candle diameter. Make sure wicks are centered properly inside the candle. Allow candles to cure fully before burning (source).

Use fragrances and oils sparingly as they can irritate eyes and skin. Work in a well-ventilated area and avoid breathing in scented vapors directly. Consider wearing a mask when working with fragrance oils (source).

Never leave a burning candle unattended. Keep away from flammable materials and out of reach of children and pets. Extinguish candles when 1⁄2 inch of wax remains to prevent glass cracking from overheating (source). Follow all candle fire safety rules.

Use and Storage

When burning your homemade mosquito repellent candles, make sure to place them near areas where you’ll be spending time outside, like patios, porches, or picnic tables. Position candles upwind from where you’ll be to allow the essential oil scent to drift towards you. Light candles about 30 minutes before going outside to give the oils time to permeate the air. For maximum protection, burn at least 2-3 candles at once to increase the concentration of repellent oils.

Keep candles away from flammable items and out of reach of children and pets. Never leave burning candles unattended. Extinguish candles before going to sleep or leaving home. Once a candle finishes burning, stubs can be melted and reused in another homemade candle. If reusing wax, strain melted wax through cheesecloth or a coffee filter to remove debris. Leftover wax can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a year before losing effectiveness. If wax develops surface spots or discoloration, it has expired and should be discarded.

Conclusion

Homemade mosquito repellent candles provide a safer, more natural and customizable alternative compared to store-bought options. As discussed, natural waxes like soy, beeswax and coconut oil are much healthier and environmentally-friendly compared to paraffin found in commercial candles (Source). Handcrafting candles allows you to carefully choose non-toxic yet effective essential oils that deter mosquitoes, like citronella, eucalyptus and lemongrass. With some trial and error, you can create customized candle blends to suit your needs. Taking the time to make mosquito repellent candles at home provides a more wholesome experience you can feel good about while keeping those pesky bugs at bay.