Citronella Candles: Because Mosquitoes Don’t Deserve Dinner with You

What Are Citronella Candles (and Do They Actually Work or Just Smell Fancy)?

Citronella candles are candles made with citronella oil — a natural extract from lemongrass plants that mosquitoes apparently can’t stand. Think of citronella as the garlic bread of the bug world: delightful to you, repulsive to them.

The idea is simple: you light the candle, it burns, releases citronella-scented smoke, and mosquitoes run for the hills (or at least your neighbor’s yard). It doesn’t kill them (wouldn’t that be nice?), but it scrambles their mosquito GPS long enough to give you a peaceful evening.

But do citronella candles work?

Short answer: sometimes. Long answer: yes, if you use enough of them, don’t rely on one sad tea light to guard a patio, and the wind isn’t betraying you. A single candle in the middle of a windy garden isn’t going to do much. But surround your sitting area like a citronella moat, and you might just create an effective bug buffer zone.

The Best Citronella Candles That Actually Smell Good (And Work)

Now, let’s be honest: not all citronella candles are created equal. Some smell like someone dunked a lemon in toilet cleaner, while others could pass for boutique spa scents. Here’s a quick roundup of the best citronella candles that are strong on mosquito repelling power and don’t make your guests gag:

1. Murphy’s Naturals Citronella Candle
   Clean, strong, natural. Burns for hours and doesn’t smell like a janitor’s closet. Made with soy and essential oils, not chemical junk.

2. Just Makes Scents Outdoor Candle
   Handmade, simple, and packs a punch. This one’s for the purists who want solid mosquito control without the fluff.

3. Cutter CitroGuard Triple-Wick Candle
   Want serious power? This beast has three wicks and a 30+ hour burn time. It's like the bonfire of citronella candles. Great for patios, decks, and full-on backyard cookouts.

4. Yankee Candle Outdoor Collection
   Yes, Yankee Candle jumped on the citronella train — and honestly? Good for them. Their citronella candles smell nicer than most, with fancy blends like “Ocean Breeze & Citronella.” Mosquitoes hate it. Humans love it.

5. Repel Outdoor Citronella Candle
   Affordable, effective, and smells like victory. Not the prettiest, but very functional.

Bonus tip: go for soy wax or beeswax candles with real citronella oil (not just synthetic fragrance), and you’ll notice a real difference in scent and strength.

Where to Buy Citronella Candles (Besides Stealing One from Your Aunt’s Porch)

You can get citronella candles almost anywhere once the sun starts shining. But where should you buy them to avoid paying €15 for a tin of disappointment?

• Amazon – The jungle of citronella candles. You’ll find everything from multi-packs to artisanal tins, often with reviews that say things like “Saved my marriage” or “Mosquitoes didn’t care at all.” Proceed with caution and read reviews.

• Home Depot / DIY stores – Great if you want to sniff-test before buying. You’ll usually find Cutter, Repel, or basic garden-grade brands.

• Boutique or eco stores – For fancy candles made from soy wax with essential oil blends that make your patio smell like a forest spa.

• Supermarkets (during summer) – Often cheap, sometimes effective, but usually small and meant more for decoration than protection.

Tip: Buy in bulk. One citronella candle is like one popcorn kernel — not enough to satisfy anyone. Aim for at least 3–4 candles around your seating area.

Citronella Candle Scents: From “Lemon Spa” to “Why Does It Smell Like Feet?”

Citronella on its own smells kind of grassy-citrusy — like lemon’s earthier cousin. Some people love it. Some people think it smells like lawn clippings left in the sun. That’s where scent blends come in.

Best citronella candle scent combos:

• Citronella + Lavender – Calming and mosquito-hating. Double win.

• Citronella + Eucalyptus – Fresh and sharp. Smells clean, bugs flee.

• Citronella + Lemongrass – Stronger citrus punch, feels tropical.

• Citronella + Vanilla – Surprisingly smooth and sweet. The mosquitoes won’t like it, but your nose might.

• Citronella + Cedarwood – Earthy and warm. Great for evening chillouts.

Avoid anything that says “fragrance oil only” without specifying citronella essential oil. That’s a one-way ticket to useless candle land.

When to Use Citronella Candles (And When to Call in the Big Guns)

Citronella candles are perfect for:

• Backyard BBQs

• Evening cocktails

• Reading on the patio

• Camping (when you want to smell like survival and lemon)

But — and this is important — if you're dealing with a full-blown mosquito apocalypse, don’t expect citronella candles to perform miracles. They’re part of the solution, not the whole army. Combine them with:

• Fans (mosquitoes are terrible fliers)

• Bug zappers

• Repellent sprays

• Long sleeves (fashionably annoyed)

• Mosquito nets if you're camping or sleeping outdoors

Think of citronella candles like garlic bread at a dinner table. Tasty, useful, but not the main course.

Citronella Candles vs. Other Mosquito Defense Tactics

Let’s get real. Are citronella candles the best way to repel mosquitoes? Maybe not the absolute best, but they’re one of the easiest and least toxic — and they make your patio look like you tried.

Here’s how they stack up:

So yeah — citronella candles may not be a silver bullet, but they are definitely a glowing part of the mosquito-fighting plan. And hey, they don’t require batteries or chemical clouds. That’s already a win.

Final Thought: Are Citronella Candles Worth It?

Short answer: Yes — if you’re realistic.

They’re a vibe. They’re easy. They smell good (mostly). And they give mosquitoes a strong hint that they’re not invited. Use multiple, use real oil-based ones, and combine them with other defenses, and you’re on your way to enjoying your patio again without being a blood buffet.

Because no one wants to explain mosquito bites to their boss on Monday. “It was a mosquito rave,” just doesn’t land well in meetings.