House Guru

Many people believe citronella candles keep mosquitoes away. This belief doesn't hold up under close inspection.

Citronella candles are a coomon item in many homes. They are burned to repel mosquitos and other flying insects. But careful research shows that the kinds of candles most people use do not work. They are too weak to keep mosquitos away.

Oil of citronella does repel mosquitoes. But it takes a lot more oi than is found in almost all candles. In fact, most citronella candles are no more effective than any other kind of candle in keeping mosquitoes at bay.

The most effective insect repellent is a the chemical DEET, which is found in most commercially available insect repellent products. The chemical has been available for several decades and has not been found to be harmful to humans in most of its applications.

Other products which work better than citronella candles include topically applied (that is, spread on the skin) oil of lemon eucalyptus and insecticide foggers. NEEM seed oil or neem oil has also been found to be more effective than DEET by researchers in India.

There is also a simpler solution to the problem of keepingmosquitoes away: fans. Mosquitoes are not very strong. They have trouble flying in heavy breezes. Fans usually create breezes too strong for mosquitoes to fly in.

An additional benefit of fans is that they push away the body odors and the carbon dioxide that usually attract mosquitoes. If the mosquitoes can't find you, you're much safer. And happier.