These Citronella recipes are perfect for keeping the bugs at bay this summer! Don't squash your summer plans just because of the bugs – these natural remedies and recipes can help!
Summer's here, and so are the bugs! It seems that some of us are just tastier to mosquitoes, doesn't it? If you fall in that camp, you're probably on the hunt for ways to keep the bugs away when you're outdoors.
Well, you're in luck!
We've compiled a list of 15 DIY citronella candles, sprays, bracelets, and more for keeping insects outside of your comfort zone.
Since you're making most of these from scratch, you don't have to worry about extra added chemicals.
Although citronella is very effective at keeping bugs at bay, you must use caution if you have pets.
Do not use citronella indoors.
Make sure any candles, sprays, bracelets, or other products containing citronella are kept well out of reach of your pets.
Citronella Recipes and DIYs
Check out these simple Citronella Recipes and DIYs!
These citronella eggshell candles are as adorable as they are useful! It's a terrific way to recycle eggshells rather than accumulating extra jars or tins to put the candles in. They'll look beautiful on your patio table as you enjoy the outdoors bug-free.
Use small, empty paint cans you have on hand (or pick up a few at the hardware store) to make these lovely citronella luminaries. They'll keep the mosquitoes away while you enjoy your outdoor space in the warmer weather. You'll add citronella essential oil, peppermint essential oil, and lemon essential oil to water inside the tin can. Then, you'll add a floating candle to light it up and help diffuse the scent.
How to make citronella candle with organic ingredients - Learn to create beautiful things
Use soy wax or beeswax to make these lovely citronella candles. If they're larger candles, 3-candle wicks make for a more even burning experience. Candles have about a 3-foot radius for repelling bugs, so you'll want to make several for a large outdoor area. Combine citronella, lemon, and eucalyptus oils if you'd like a more pleasant-smelling candle than just citronella provides.
This homemade bug spray includes citronella as an optional ingredient, but we recommend it to make it even more effective. Lavender is also effective at repelling bugs and is safe for use on your kids. This blogger also offers a handy tip: refrigerate the spray on super hot days, so it cools you off whenever you use it.
Recycle used tin cans to make these rustic tin can citronella candles. They add soft light and lots of bug-fighting power to your outdoor space at night. Adding pine or mandarin orange essential oils to the mix can make ordinary citronella candles smell a lot better.
If you don't like spraying bug repellent all over your skin, these bracelets are an excellent alternative! Polymer clay beads or fabric bracelets can be soaked in bug-repelling oils to keep pests at bay. Even better, they're reusable! You'll need to soak them again after a few uses, but if you preserve the essential oil mixture, you can reuse it all summer long. the videos
This DIY mosquito repellent uses the best essential oils for repelling mosquitoes and makes 100ml of spray. It's made with lavender, tea tree, citronella, lemongrass, and geranium essential oils as well as a few other natural ingredients. The recipe also calls for Neem oil, but it is optional if you don't like the smell, though it's also helpful in keeping mosquitoes away.
These mason jar citronella candles have a light, pleasant smell. So, that's definitely an improvement over the store-bought citronella candles, which are often quite pungent. Use beeswax or soy wax to make the candles, along with citronella, lavender, peppermint, and lemongrass essential oils. Purple candle coloring is optional, but it sure makes them look pretty!
Here's another neat spray idea using Purification, citronella, and eucalyptus essential oils, along with witch hazel and water. This combination of oils repels many different insects, but you can add geranium and lemongrass to help repel ticks as well if you're going to be in a wooded area.
Remember poking your fingers into jelly candles as a kid? They were kind of irresistible to little kids with curious minds. Now you can make your own jelly candles that are not only beautiful, but they keep those pesky bugs away, too. This melt-and-pour recipe is incredibly simple, using only citronella essential oil as the bug-repelling ingredient.
This spray combines lemongrass, citronella, lavender, and patchouli essential oils to ward off insects. The Argan and Vitamin E oils will keep the skin moisturized, which is helpful on days when you have to keep reapplying the spray.
Use mason jars, citronella torch fuel, and lamp wicks to make your own citronella torches for your outdoor space. They look so beautiful as they burn, so they're terrific for ambiance and staying itch-free on hot summer evenings.
This spray is a little different with the oils and other ingredients used. Citronella, clove, lemon, and rosemary essential oils are combined with aloe vera gel, isopropyl alcohol, and a few other ingredients for an effective bug-fighting scent. This recipe makes enough spray to fill three 4-oz bottles, so give one to a friend!
Looking for a fun favor to give guests after your 4th of July get-together? These soy citronella candles are a fantastic and practical choice. Use some at your party, and then give some away with clever gift tags like the ones on these candles that read, "Life, liberty, and no bugs."
Who says candles that ward off bugs can't be cute at the same time? These pretty pastel terracotta candles will look terrific on your porch or patio. Plus, they'd make wonderful hostess gifts for summer gatherings, too.
Which of these citronella recipes or projects are you going to try this summer?
Make certain to check out some of these other great natural recipes, too:
- Natural Shampoo for Hair Growth
- Pink Himalayan Salt Bath Recipe
- DIY Anti-Aging After Sun Lotion Bar with Essential Oils
