Tired of mosquitoes? Learn how to make citronella candles to enjoy your summer’s outside and keep them away! This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.
Worst thing about summer? Mosquitoes! Those pesky little guys can ruin any family bon fire in just a matter of seconds! I have tried bug spray, the citronella candles and even some wrist band things! The bug spray does work but I absolutely despise putting that stuff on. It’s not good for you, it leaves your skin feeling all icky, and it smells awful! Obviously when you live in Wisconsin, spending the summer indoors is NOT an option, so what is a girl to do? Why learn how to make citronella candles of course!
DIY Citronella Candles
I was genuinely surprised at how well these worked! I have been working out in my garage til all hours of the night working on my kitchen and the mosquitoes seem to think I’m looking for a party! Nope, not that kind, haha! So They SWARM by the lights in my garage, and I put this on my workbench, they were seriously gone in about 20 seconds!
Now I have never ever made candles before, so if I can do it, so can you! I headed out to Hobby Lobby to gather up some supplies and I even found a way to avoid an expense, by boiling these in an aluminum can instead of a double broiler or other candle making supply.
Please note: I chose not to fill my mason jars all the way to help keep the flame out of the wind and for safety purposes. If you want your jar full, you will need to adjust the recipe.
Learn How Repel Mosquitoes Naturally
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Citronella Candles
Ingredients
- Small Mason Jars
- Beeswax
- Citronella Oil
- Hot Glue Gun
- Wicks (make sure length is correct for your jar)
- Saucepan
- Aluminum Can
- 2 Coffee Stirrers for holding the wick in place
Instructions
- Secure your wick to the bottom of your mason jar using hot glue
- Depending on your type of beeswax, you might need to use a knife to cut it into small pieces, if you bought it in pellets then you can skip this step.
- Fill your aluminum can to the top with beeswax, pressing down to ensure it is full.
- Place aluminum can in a saucepan of water and gently boil until the wax melts (it will have the consistency of oil)
- Add in approx 5 drops of citronella oil
- Gently stir to mix thoroughly
- Using tongs, pour the melted wax into your mason jar, keeping wick out of the way.
- Use your 2 coffee stirrers to hold the wick in place (or any method you find works)
- Let Cool
- Enjoy those mosquito free nights!
Notes
Beeswax comes in a natural color which is yellow, and also white. I used the white for my candles. A lot people suggest using organic filtered beeswax because pesticides may still be present, but since I am using these outdoors, I wasn’t to particular about the brand I used, but please take that into consideration when purchasing. Filling up your aluminum can makes 1 candle. If you want to make a large batch, you can use a double broiler to melt more wax at once. The amount of citronella oil is a personal preference. I found 5 drops per aluminum can to be great for me, and seems to work pretty well. Adjust as necessary. This will NOT keep away every single mosquito, but it certainly reduces the mosquito bites and I find that they work MUCH better than store bought!
Do you have any summer activities planned where knowing how to make citronella candles might come in handy?
You can also check out my tutorial for this adorable chalkboard candle box!
Love this project. What a great idea! I did not know you could make your own and of course they look a ton better in a mason jar :) Love your photography as well. PInned!
Thanks so much! : ) Yes, mason jars make everything just a little bit better don’t they!
hi Ashley- where do I find the essential oil? Was that at Hob Lob too? Would love for you to link this up to Friday Favorites later this week if you get a chance! I’m doing this! laura
I actually had to go to a health food store to find mine. But I know when I lived in Texas it was easier to find in grocery stores. Some Wal Mart’s will carry it too. Just depends on where you are located. But a health store will most likely have it. : ) They are great! You will love them! Thanks for stopping by!
This is a great idea, and the candles are so cute! I am pinning this! Visiting from Haven Mavens — hope to meet you at Haven this week!
Love that you put it in mason jars. Super cute! Being that it has rained almost everyday here in Houston (I’m not complaining), the mosquito’s are definitely out. This will be perfect :)
Thank you for sharing this. The mosquitoes are so bad this year and they LOVE me! I’m going to head out to Hobby Lobby today so I can make these. I love how you used a can so you don’t mess up any of your pans. Great idea!
I have been looking for something like this! Thank you so much for sharing. The bugs have been relentless this summer!
I wonder if these candles will work for fruit flies?
Hmm… I’m not sure, never tried before. Now I’ll have to go look this up ; )
I live in rural Vermont and the bugs are out! I will definitely make some of those this summer! Thank you!
Bugs are the only bad part of summer! Hope you enjoy them!! : )
I found Amazon has a good price on the Now brand Citronella oil in the 4 oz. size. As of 6/5/17, it’s under $12 with free shipping (or free 2-day Prime shipping). Whole Foods Market also carries the Now brand, but I’m not sure if they would have the Citronella. Another method to try out: If you have an EO diffuser, you could set it up in your garage with a variety of different oils (like lavender, cedarwood, geranium, eucylptus, etc.) & it’ll work great to deter the pesky lil blood suckers too. You can experiment with mixing different oils to find what works best & smells good. Thank you, Ashley, for a great DIY! Mosquitoes don’t really bother me, but they do eat my husband alive! We were looking for a safe & effective way to get rid of those biter-blighters (lol!) & this is perfect! Thanks again!
How many candles does 1 lb. of beeswax make?
I make a batch of citronella candles every summer too! Love your photographs btw ;)
Great project since I live in Florida and our outdoor season is all year! Pinning.
Have a great week,
Kippi
Thanks, Ashley! We created a lovely patio space and haven’t been on it as much as we’d like in the evenings because of the bugs. Looking forward to making these!
*pinned
Cheers,
Denise
Great project. Pinned
What a great idea! I will definitely be making some of these for our back yard! Pinned.
I love the idea of making my own Cintronella candles! Thanks for sharing at All About Home. I am happy to feature you this week!
https://followtheyellowbrickhome.com/all-about-homelink-party-49/
I was genuinely surprised at how well these worked! I have been working out in my garage til all hours of the night working on my kitchen and the mosquitoes seem to think I’m looking for a party! Nope, not that kind, haha! So They SWARM by the lights in my garage, and I put this on my workbench, they were seriously gone in about 20 seconds!
Hello
I was genuinely surprised at how well these worked! I have been working out in my garage til all hours of the night working on my kitchen and the mosquitoes seem to think I’m looking for a party! Nope, not that kind, haha! So They SWARM by the lights in my garage, and I put this on my workbench, they were seriously gone in about 20 seconds!
Hello
I actually had to go to a health food store to find mine. But I know when I lived in Texas it was easier to find in grocery stores. Some Wal Mart’s will carry it too. Just depends on where you are located. But a health store will most likely have it. : ) They are great! You will love them! Thanks for stopping by!
hello
hi Ashley- where do I find the essential oil? Was that at Hob Lob too? Would love for you to link this up to Friday Favorites later this week if you get a chance! I’m doing this! laura
Hello
I actually had to go to a health food store to find mine. But I know when I lived in Texas it was easier to find in grocery stores. Some Wal Mart’s will carry it too. Just depends on where you are located. But a health store will most likely have it.
Hello
I have been working out in my garage til all hours of the night working on my kitchen and the mosquitoes seem to think I’m looking for a party! Nope,
Hello
Love this project. What a great idea! I did not know you could make your own and of course they look a ton better in a mason jar :) Love your photography as well. PInned!
I actually had to go to a health food store to find mine. But I know when I lived in Texas it was easier to find in grocery stores. Some Wal Mart’s will carry it too. Just depends on where you are located. But a health store will most likely have it. : )kite developer
Ashley, for a great DIY! Mosquitoes don’t really bother me, but they do eat my husband alive! We were looking for a safe & effective way to get rid of those biter-blighters (lol!) & this is perfect! Thanks again!cqr code
I have been working out in my garage til all hours of the night working on my kitchen and the mosquitoes seem to think I’m looking for a party! Nope, not that kind, haha! So They SWARM by the lights in my garage, and I put this on my workbench, they were seriously gone in about 20 seconds!
I was genuinely surprised at how well these worked! I have been working out in my garage til all hours of the night working on my kitchen and the mosquitoes seem to think I’m looking for a party! Nope, not that kind, haha! So They SWARM by the lights in my garage, and I put this on my workbench, they were seriously gone in about 20 seconds!kite
I am sure your hummers will love it! Give them a little time to get used to the perches. Ours never went on the perch for a month or two, but then they couldn’t have enough of it. Now they are all over those perches ? Lusitania Masonry
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Hi, I just threw away a old brass chandler -ugh but ‘I will be on the look out for one. That is such a great idea and you did such a wonderful job. I know the birds think they are in a 5 star restaurant. Thanks for sharing. Have a super day.cape verde holiday
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I was genuinely surprised at how well these worked! I have been working out in my garage til all hours of the night working on my kitchen and the mosquitoes seem to think I’m looking for a party! Nope, not that kind, haha! So They SWARM by the lights in my garage, and I put this on my workbench, Crocs
Hi Ashley, thank you for hosting! All the features look amazing! Have a great holiday weekend! :)