For years, citronella candles have been a go-to backyard staple for people looking to enjoy the outdoors without being eaten alive by mosquitoes. You’ve probably seen them lining patios or flickering at evening cookouts, promising a bug-free experience. But despite their popularity, citronella candles aren’t nearly as effective as many people believe.
So, why do citronella candles fall short when it comes to keeping mosquitoes away? Let’s take a closer look at the science behind citronella, how it works, and what really works when you want to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
What is Citronella?
Citronella is a natural oil derived from several species of lemongrass. It has a strong, lemony scent that’s unpleasant to mosquitoes, which is why it’s commonly used in candles, sprays, and lotions marketed for mosquito control.
The idea is that the scent masks the smells mosquitoes use to locate humans—primarily carbon dioxide and skin odors like lactic acid. In theory, this makes it harder for them to find and bite you.
Why Candles Don’t Work as Promised
While citronella can be mildly effective in its pure oil form or when applied directly to the skin, citronella candles don’t produce a strong enough concentration of the active ingredients to be reliable repellents.
Key Reasons Citronella Candles Don’t Work Well
The Scent Disperses Quickly: Outdoors, even a light breeze can dilute and carry away the citronella scent before it creates a protective barrier.
Not Enough Active Ingredient: Most citronella candles only contain a small percentage of citronella oil, nowhere near the level needed to disrupt a mosquito’s scent-tracking.
Small Area of Effect: If you’re more than a few feet away from the candle, you’re no longer benefiting from what little repellent effect it might have.
Mosquitoes Adapt: Some studies suggest mosquitoes become less sensitive to citronella over time or may ignore it entirely in the presence of strong attractants like human scent or CO2.
What the Science Says
Several studies have tested citronella candles against other repellents and found their effectiveness to be minimal to none.
In fact, a study published in the Journal of Insect Science found that plain candles performed about as well as citronella candles in keeping mosquitoes away, meaning the smoke and heat may have had more impact than the citronella oil itself.
Other studies consistently rank citronella candles at the bottom of mosquito-repellent effectiveness, especially when compared to options like DEET, picaridin, or permethrin-treated clothing.
Better Alternatives for Repelling Mosquitoes
If you really want to keep mosquitoes away, consider more effective options:
Topical Repellents
DEET (20-30%): Remains one of the most effective repellents.
Picaridin: Odorless and less greasy than DEET, but equally effective.
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE): A natural option with proven results.
Mosquito Coils or Thermacell Devices
These use heat-activated repellent cartridges or mats to create a protective zone.
More effective than candles and great for patios or camping.
Fans
Mosquitoes are weak fliers. A strong outdoor fan pointed at your sitting area can keep them at bay.
Eliminate Standing Water
This is where mosquitoes breed. Check birdbaths, clogged gutters, plant saucers, and buckets around your yard.
Wear Protective Clothing
- Long sleeves, pants, and light-colored clothing can reduce bites.
- Look for clothing treated with permethrin for added protection.
Professional Mosquito Control
A professional mosquito control service like GoGo Gecko’s can help protect your family all season long! We do a total of 9 applications that run roughly from March through November, and we have two different programs to choose from.
We have the Basic Spray Plan and the Gecko Guard Program with the In2Care System, so make sure to ask about both to choose the best plan for your family!
Leave the Candles, Keep the Control
Citronella candles might set the mood and offer a pleasant scent, but when it comes to real mosquito protection, they fall far short of their reputation. Relying on citronella candles alone is likely to leave you swatting all night long.
If you’re serious about reclaiming your outdoor space from mosquitoes, it’s time to go beyond DIY solutions. GoGo Gecko’s professional mosquito control services are designed to create a protective barrier around your home, targeting breeding areas and reducing mosquito populations at the source.
