Summer nights are the bright time when things light up and it starts to get warmer outside. It is the perfect time to dine alfresco and relax in the garden with the family. But one drawback that can arise when eating outdoors at night is the presence of gnats and mosquitoes. One of the best known solutions are anti-mosquito candles, but do they work?
Citronella is the special ingredient in these anti-mosquito candles. However, its effectiveness is in the spotlight. There are those who claim that it repels mosquitoes, while others show that it has no protective effect.
What is citronella?
Citronella is a natural oil whose main function is to repel insects. It is made by distilling different types of Cymbopogon (lemongrass) leaves and stems. Therefore, it has a lemongrass-based scent when you burn it in candles. This is lovely for the ambience of an outdoor space. But crucially, it also masks the kind of odors that would normally attract bugs like mosquitoes or gnats. That is, we can enjoy dinner outdoors without being disturbed so much by those unwanted intruders.
One of the great benefits of citronella oil is that it is a non-toxic method of repelling insects. Which means it’s safer than many of the alternatives. We may be able to obtain certain synthetic sprays, which work more effectively than citronella candles.
However, these aerosols can be toxic and potentially harmful or irritating to humans if they remain in the air that people will breathe. Citronella candles, on the other hand, will be a welcome presence in the air while they’re doing their job of repelling bugs.
supposed effects
Citronella mosquito candles seem to have special properties against insects.
Insect repellent
Some studies have looked at the effectiveness of various citronella preparations in preventing mosquito bites. It was concluded that the use of citronella oil together with vanillin (found in vanilla beans) provided protection against mosquitoes for up to three hours.
The study also found that DEET provided protection for a much longer period of time than citronella oil alone.
Another study compared the ability of DEET, citronella oil, and fennel oil to repel mosquitoes. The researchers found that the candles have a protection rating of more than 90 percent for six hours. Citronella and fennel oil had protection rates of around 57% and 47%, respectively, after just two hours.
Another study evaluated the effectiveness of various mosquito repellents and concluded that citronella candles were of little use as a mosquito repellant.
antifungal agent
Several studies have found that citronella oil has certain antifungal properties that can help weaken or destroy certain types of fungi that can cause health problems. The antifungal activity of citronella oil against a strain of fungus known as Aspergillus niger has been evaluated. This common fungus is thought to cause lung and sinus infections in people with weakened immune systems.
The study found that citronella oil had the ability to destroy the cell wall of the fungus and kill organisms within the cell that can cause infection. This led the researchers to suggest that citronella oil may have the potential to be used as a safe and environmentally friendly fungicide.
Do they work?
Citronella mosquito candles, like other products containing the essential oil, are touted for their insect-repelling properties and are certainly more attractive than DEET.
Unfortunately, according to a 2017 study, citronella candles do nothing to scare away mosquitoes , nothing at all, nothing. Although some all-natural insect repellants contain citronella as the main ingredient, they can throw mosquitoes off the scent to some extent, but none of them are as effective or long-lasting as DEET when it comes to keeping bugs at bay.
As for citronella candles, the perfume may be pleasant, but it is not strong enough to mask the delicious human smell and protect us from stings. In fact, the citronella candle actually appears to attract mosquitoes, albeit by such a small margin that it was not considered scientifically significant.
Tips
There are some recommendations to keep in mind when we want to use anti-mosquito candles. Although science does not fully support its operation, there are those who prefer to continue using them due to their low toxicity.
How many candles are needed?
It is said that two 5 centimeter candles will tend to cover a space of up to 2 meters. This means that two or three candles will generally cover a medium-sized outdoor table.
However, those who rely on mosquito candles can go for more if they are having a large event with a larger dining room. That said, you should also take into account whether the air is still or not, as a more gusty day will mean increasing the number of sails you use.
air movement
When we use anti-mosquito candles, keep in mind that they will not have a strong effect on insects if we only have one or two in an open area. Especially if it’s windy.
They work by repelling insects through the smell produced by the oil. This odor will not be as prominent in the air if the wind continually refreshes the air. They work best in areas that have limited air movement. This means that they will be great on calm days. Or, if it is a windy day, they will be more effective if the seating area is isolated from the wind and the sails are also placed in that area.
Can candles be burned indoors?
In general, it is recommended that citronella candles not be used indoors for a number of reasons. Although the scent is very pleasant to us as the candles burn, it is possible for these oils to penetrate interior fabrics.
Also, mosquito candles tend to have a slightly smokier burn than regular candles. This is great as another repellant for bugs that don’t like smoke, but it might not be as good to use indoors. So for cleaner indoor conditions, it’s best to use them outdoors only.
Mercadona anti-mosquito candles
In Mercadona you can find anti-mosquito candles of the Relevi brand. Its price is 1.95 euros per unit, although it is not a citronella candle. In this case, the product is highly toxic and its indications warn of any type of danger.
It only contains citronella aroma, but it is not formulated with it. Its component is 0.2% transfluthrin. This is a fast-acting pyrethroid insecticide with low persistence, often used to eradicate pests. It is possible that this mosquito repellent candle will work because it is not natural and does not contain citronella. However, it is quite dangerous for health.
