Did you know that you can make your own mosquito repellent candles right at home? And it is actually easy y’all! Just follow along below to get the instructions, use this recipe all summer long, and say goodbye to pricy citronella candles.
These mosquito repellent candles are 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.
Ready for more summertime crafts? You’ll love this DIY string art and my cute handprint dragonflies!
Make Your Own Mosquito Repellent Candles
Did you know you probably have most of the ingredients for these mosquito repellent candles already in your home? Yep! Not only are these candles super easy to make, but the supplies and ingredients are also pretty simple.
Supplies Needed:
- Pint mason jars
- Floating candles
- Lemons
- Limes
- Basil
- Lemongrass essential oil
Some links above may be affiliate links, which means you do not pay any more.
How to Make Mosquito Repellent Candles
All you need for this DIY candle project is a few basic supplies and 10 minutes of your day. To make things even easier, I decided to make a quick video showing exactly how to make mosquito repellent candles. Watch below!
Can’t watch the video or missed some of the steps? I’ve got you covered. You can follow these instructions below or scroll to the bottom of the post for a printable how-to card.
- First slice one lemon and one lime (this will be enough for two candles).
- Then add a couple of slices of lemon and lime to the jar.
- Next add a couple of sprigs of basil.
- Then fill jar with water up to threads.
- After that, add in 10 – 15 drops of lemongrass oil.
- Now stir.
- Then add in floating candle.
- Finally, light the candle and enjoy a pest free summer!
Why make mosquito repellent candles?
Not only do these easy homemade mosquito repellent candles make beautiful outdoor decorations, but they are also super functional! I don’t know about you, but as much as I love spending time outdoors, I also hate mosquitos just as much. Making your own mosquito repellent candles will save you dollars on citronella products (that may or may not work). Instead, just make your own! They’re pretty, quick, and will keep away the mosquitoes and other bugs from your summer parties. You have to love that!
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!
Love this idea for DIY candles and want more? Try the links below as well!
- How to Make Beeswax Candles in a Jar
- Photo Transfer Candles
- Marbling with Acrylic Paint on Candles
- DIY Candle Holders that Look Like Pottery Barn
- Easy Paper Candle Wraps
Want to print the instructions for making mosquito repellent candles? You can use the card below!
Supplies
- Pint mason jars
- Floating candles
- Lemons
- Limes
- Basil
- Lemongrass essential oil
Instructions
- 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!
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
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.
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!
How long do these candles last?
I would say you would need to change the water and everything weekly since the ingredients are fresh and would start to smell.
Does this seem to work to keep bees away as well? Definitely plan to try this either way this summer!
Hmmm…not sure about the bees but it is worth a try!
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?
I think the candle itself does warm the contents and intensify the smell. Hope that helps!
I love this idea. I wonder if I could sub rosemary for basil?
Definitely worth a try!
Rosemary is a known mosquito repellant.
Made some for Memorial Day Party weekend love them thank you for the post
Hi Angie thank you for the clever ldea can’t wait to try it,
So why use the candles if the smell keeps them away? The candles aren’t going to heat the water??
You can try it without them if you would like this is just the way I do it!
Does the lemongrass EO attract bees like the lemongrass plant does?
I haven’t noticed that!
Brilliant idea Angie. Loved it. Thanks for sharing.
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
Pretty sure the candle is just for ambiance and the smell is mainly what keeps them away!
I live the fragrance but the EO turned my basil brown. What am I doing wrong?? It wasn’t pretty like yours!!
I had one do that too! But some of mine are fine! Maybe squeeze the lemon a litle for more citrus?
Water turns basil brown and it rots.
Love your idea, and will use mint instead.
Thank you from the Peach State.
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! =(
Mason jar crafts are so fun and this mosquito repellent idea is amazing. Trying it today itself. Thanks!
Learned this tip last summer. Just a small dap of Vicks behind your knees, on inside of arm at elbow and ankles. It worked for me, hope you get same results…….. happy gardening.
It looks like a great idea I will definitely try it. Thank you for the wonderful idea.
How do we print without all the ads?
Sorry! I don’t have a printable card on this one yet. You can pick just what you want to print and copy and paste it to a document to print.