DIY Citronella Candles Are an Easy Way to Keep Mosquitoes Away This Summer
If you've ever tried to enjoy a warm evening outside only to become a full-on mosquito buffet, you already know how helpful citronella candles can be. These little patio staples work by releasing a scent (from citronella oil, usually derived from lemongrass) that basically masks the smells mosquitoes use to find you-like carbon dioxide and body odor. So instead of swarming you, they get a little confused and, ideally, buzz off elsewhere.
Are they a force field? Not exactly. But when you place a few around your seating area, they can make a noticeable difference, especially during those peak summer months when you're living outside as much as possible. Think backyard dinners, porch hangs or just unwinding with a drink at sunset.
Flickering candles already make everything feel cozier, and when they double as bug control? That's a win-win. It's one of those simple upgrades that makes outdoor time way more enjoyable-no constant swatting required. And you can actually make citronella candles at home, as evidenced by this tutorial from Felicita Aroma (also known as Nataliia) on TikTok.
@felicitaaroma POV: My son asked for a citronella candle for summer nights So we made a DIY repurposed candle instead of buying one. Simple, cozy, and mosquito-friendly.#asmr#diy#candlehack#candlemaking#fyppppppppppppppppppppppp
original sound - FELICITA AROMA
First the candlemaker and her son hit up Goodwill and scored a huge stack of little jars with handles to use for the citronella project. Eagle-eyed TikTok viewers will be happy to know that she removed all of the stickers from the containers before starting (the lack of that step in a different DIY totally frustrated a fraction of the social media community).
Next up Nataliia cleans the inside of each container and then adds the wicks to the bottoms. She goes on to add citronella to her candle wax in order to make each candle a bug-fighting workhorse, then pours the wax close to the top of each vessel. From there it's really just a matter of allowing the wax to solidify and trimming the wicks down.
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How to Get the Most Out of a Citronella Candle
To actually get the most out of a citronella candle, it's all about how you use it. You might not realize it, but placement matters. You'll want to create a bit of a "barrier" by setting a few candles around your seating area rather than relying on just one in the center. That helps keep the scent concentrated where you need it.
Timing helps, too. Light them about 15–20 minutes before you head outside so the scent has time to build up. And keep in mind, citronella works best in calmer conditions-if it's super windy, the scent disperses too quickly to be effective.
Think of citronella candles as part of your mosquito-fighting toolkit-not a total solution, but a solid, low-effort upgrade that makes a noticeable difference.
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This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 7:25 PM.