Why citronella belongs outside
Summertime usually means weekends at the beach, backyard barbecues with friends, lazy afternoons by the pool, and, for many households, finding ways to keep pesky mosquitoes at bay.
If you’ve tried insect repellent sprays, foggers, incense, and candles in the fight against mosquitoes, you might be wondering whether citronella—a key essential oil in many mosquito repellent products—actually works. Read on to find out.
What citronella actually is
Citronella is an essential oil that comes from a grass plant in the Cymbopogon genus, similar to lemongrass. It’s best known for its natural insect repellent properties.
With a fresh, citrusy aroma and soft floral notes, oil of citronella has been used for centuries to help ward off bugs, treat parasitic infections, lift mood, and add flavor to food.
Why mosquitoes don’t like it
Mosquitoes are attracted to certain compounds found in human sweat, on our skin, and in the carbon dioxide we exhale. In other words, mosquitoes are drawn to the way we smell.
Citronella oil works by helping mask those scents, making it harder for mosquitoes to find you.
It’s not the only plant-derived oil used this way. Oil of lemon eucalyptus, which comes from lemon eucalyptus trees, has also been shown to help mask the scents that attract mosquitoes. The Environmental Protection Agency has registered oil of lemon eucalyptus as an insect repellent that’s safe for human use.
So, do citronella candles actually work?
Citronella candles can help repel mosquitoes—but they work best when you understand what they’re designed to do.
They won’t create an impenetrable force field around your patio, and they won’t eliminate every mosquito in the yard. But they can help reduce bites in the area around the candle. In fact, a research paper from Malaria Journal found that, in field studies, citronella candles reduced mosquito bites by 50%.
The key is quality. A citronella candle is only as effective as its oil concentration, burn consistency, and ability to release scent into the air. A candle with too little citronella oil may smell pleasant up close, but disappear quickly outdoors. A candle with a weak or uneven burn may not release the oil steadily enough to make a difference.
For the best results, choose a candle with a meaningful oil concentration and a slow, consistent burn—so the citronella can do what it’s meant to do.
Why our citronella candle works harder
Our Citronella Forever Candle is made with 10% oils for a more potent, effective burn—because outdoor candles need to work harder than the ones you burn inside. When you’re lighting a candle on the patio, at the dinner table, or beside the garden, the scent needs to hold its own in open air.
That’s why we use our all-natural coconut-soy wax, chosen for its slow, even burn and excellent scent throw. As the wax melts, it releases citronella steadily into the air, helping create a fresh, functional scent zone that feels inviting, not overpowering.
It’s a candle that earns its place outside—and looks beautiful doing it.
