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Did you know that you can make your own mosquito repellent candles? And it is actually easy y’all! Just follow along below to get the instructions and use this recipe all summer long. This is a part of summer in jars week where we are sharing jar ideas all summer long. If you have missed any of the fun, be sure to catch up with day 1 and day 2. You will also want to scroll down to the bottom of this post to see the jar craft ideas for today from the other bloggers in this series.
Supplies for making mosquito repellent candles:
Some links below may be affiliate links which means you do not pay anymore but a portion of your purchase will go to support this site.
- Pint mason jars
- Floating candles
- Lemons
- Limes
- Basil
- Lemongrass essential oil
This project is so simple! I thought I would make a super short video to show you the process. You can watch that below.
Can’t watch the video or missed some of the steps? Get the instructions below.
- Slice one lemon and one lime (this will be enough for two candles).
- Add a couple of slices of lemon and lime to the jar.
- Add a couple of sprigs of basil.
- Fill jar with water up to threads.
- Add in 10 – 15 drops of lemongrass oil.
- Stir.
- Add in floating candle.
- Light the candle and enjoy a pest free summer!
These not only look pretty but they will keep away the mosquitoes and other bugs from your summer parties. You have to love that! Start making your own mosquito repellent candles and you will never buy citronella candles at the store again. Now I promised you even more summer in a jar ideas. You just have to click the links below to be taken to those!
Just in case you are curious, I have also created a quiz so you can find out what type of mason jar you are! This is just for fun but might give you some great ideas for jars to use in your own crafts. Take the quiz below!
A Year of Jar Crafts
Sign up for our email list to get a FREE book with an entire year of jar crafts! 12 months, 12 crafts, tons of fun!
Linda at Mixed Kreations says
Oh how fun! I love mason jar crafts, and these do look easy, and I bet they smell wonderful. Better then the citronella candles. Thanks for sharing! Pinning!
Jessica says
This is a super smart idea.
andrea says
This is BRILLIANT Angie! Love it! Hugs…
Jessica says
If we make these candles how long will they keep with a lid lid on the jar? How should they be stored? Thank you for the awesome post!
Angie Holden says
I would change the water, fruit, and basil two to three times a week to keep it fresh. Put the lid on the jars when not in use. Hope that helps!
Anonymous says
👍🏼
Lauren says
I love this all natural way to fight off bugs! Thanks for sharing!
Lisa says
I love this idea. Citronella is very cloying and I bet that these natural mason jar candles smell much cleaner and fresher. Thanks for sharing.
Gentle Joy Homemaker says
What a great idea! Thank you…. I will share this.
Dori says
This is such a fun idea and they are very pretty too! I saw your link at Inspire Me Monday and wanted to just pop by and tell you I think it’s great!
Jessica says
I love how this is a beautiful and functional decoration. Thanks for the tutorial! I am excited to try it.
Elizabeth says
I’ve got to try this! I’ve got a 3 month old and I hate the idea of putting bug spray on her. We live in central Texas, so summertime mosquito repellent is a must.
Lanae Bond says
Thank you for providing this because my family wants to have some outdoor events this summer and needed something natural to repel mosquito!
[email protected] says
The bug repellent idea is fabulous. I’m pinning for this summer. Thanks
Natasha says
These look so perfect for summer! Strangely I actually have a whole box of floating candles from our wedding three years ago because I just haven’t been able to throw them out. This would be the perfect way to finally use them!
Virginia says
Thanks for sharing this! Can’t wait to make some.
Lisa says
I love this project! My kiddos and husband are magnets for mosquitos, so fingers crossed this will help. Plus, it will be an adorable decoration for my outside tables. Thank you for sharing!
Cheers,
Lisa at Dreams and Caffeine
Theresa @DearCreatives says
Not only are these great they are pretty! Thanks for sharing at the #InspirationSpotlight party @DearCreatives Pinned & shared.
JaneEllen says
Sure hope this works as well as they look. Mosquitos here even during day in back yard are awful this summer. Hate those citronella candles, think squiters are immune to them. Can’t wear bug spray, am allergic to it, makes me so sick, terrible headache, same as with citronella candles. Love how pretty these look. Where does a person find floating candles these days? Have the jars so will be making as soon as I get other supplies. Angie to the rescue as always, so clever and know so much. Enjoy rest of weekend
Angie Holden says
I think our dollar tree still has floating candles Jane!
Stephanie says
Walmart has the floating candles, also. If you have a Hobby Lobby or Michael’s store in your area you may find them there.
Allison says
I bought some on Amazon
Bobbie says
Hobby Lobby sells floating candles and all sorts of other candles! Love Hobby Lobby!
Danielle @ A Sprinkle of Joy says
How cool is this!? Keep mosquitoes away and looks pretty!
Vickie Price says
Can I use LED candles instead of regular candles or will it not have the same effect? Also what about adding orange slices for more color?
Angie Holden says
Orange slices definitely! I don’t think the LED candles can be put in water but there may be some I don’t know about!
Brenda Porter says
Do you know how long these candles last before you have to dump the contents out?
Angie Holden says
I have used them two days without issue.
PAM says
Mosquito Repellent Candle is awesome.
Can you please tell me how to make Mosquito Repellent Room freshnar?
Angie Holden says
Sorry! I don’t have a recipe for that!
Rita says
I live in the DR and love it, but right now the Mosquitos are thick enough to carry you away. I get at least 10 bites a day, in spite of repellent, but they go away within a couple of hours. I go through a course of anti malaria once yearly but that still leaves Dengue and all the other stuff. The bites are a nuisance for a bit, I worry more about the stuff those critters carry
Kelly says
Is the candle just for looks or is it needed to make them functional? I’m just wondering because at events with little kids it seems to be safer just to place the jars around as decorations.
Angie Holden says
The smell would probably detract them all by itself frankly. You might test it in the back yard for a small party before trying for a larger one though!
Brandy says
How long do these candles last?
Angie Holden says
I would say you would need to change the water and everything weekly since the ingredients are fresh and would start to smell.
Chiarina says
Does this seem to work to keep bees away as well? Definitely plan to try this either way this summer!
Angie Holden says
Hmmm…not sure about the bees but it is worth a try!
Vic says
I’m just curious about what would repel the mosquitos? The candle isn’t burning or heating anything in the jar. Is the smell of the jar contents enough to keep them away?
Angie Holden says
I think the candle itself does warm the contents and intensify the smell. Hope that helps!
Terri says
I love this idea. I wonder if I could sub rosemary for basil?
Angie Holden says
Definitely worth a try!
Terry Gruchacz says
Rosemary is a known mosquito repellant.
Emily says
Made some for Memorial Day Party weekend love them thank you for the post
Meera says
Hi Angie thank you for the clever ldea can’t wait to try it,
Karen Butler says
So why use the candles if the smell keeps them away? The candles aren’t going to heat the water??
Angie Holden says
You can try it without them if you would like this is just the way I do it!
Eq4bits says
Does the lemongrass EO attract bees like the lemongrass plant does?
Angie Holden says
I haven’t noticed that!
Diana says
Brilliant idea Angie. Loved it. Thanks for sharing.
Sita says
Hi Angie,
Thank you so much for this lovely idea. Can you share some science behind it and why it works, what’s the purpose of this floating candle? Kind Regards
Angie Holden says
Pretty sure the candle is just for ambiance and the smell is mainly what keeps them away!
Karen says
I live the fragrance but the EO turned my basil brown. What am I doing wrong?? It wasn’t pretty like yours!!
Angie Holden says
I had one do that too! But some of mine are fine! Maybe squeeze the lemon a litle for more citrus?
Ida says
Water turns basil brown and it rots.
Love your idea, and will use mint instead.
Pamela Strickland says
Thank you from the Peach State.
Sue M. says
I’m actually going to try this in my bedroom placing one on each night stand…just read local warnings here finding mosquitoes now carrying the Zika, along with West Nile virus. Makes me somewhat nervous. I always wake up to bites in the morning and if anyone gets bit by an infected mosquito at night, it’ll be me! =(