Do Citronella Candles Actually Work, and What Should Be on the Patio Table Instead?

It is one of the great summer mysteries, posed most often as the candle burns inches from a leg that is already covered with bites. In truth, there is a reason for the skepticism; citronella oil does something, but candles are not a good way to deliver it.

[image: unsplash]

The important distinction, because the follow-up question concerns what to put on the table anyway, is that the solution for insects and the solution for illumination have very little to do with each other. A set of outdoor flameless candles answers the second and does nothing at all for the first, which is worth knowing before buying either one.

What Is Citronella, Anyway

Citronella oil comes from certain species of lemongrass and has been used as an insect repellent for a long time. It does not kill bugs, but it does mask the odors that mosquitoes use to find a blood meal, including carbon dioxide in the breath, body heat, and perspiration. In a well-formulated skin product, it provides a modicum of repellency, which is exactly what the skeptics point to when questioning the value of candles.

Why the Candle Is the Wrong Medium

The candle merely delivers a small amount of oil into the surrounding air, and that is only effective within a small radius of the candle itself. The active part of the plume is right around the flame, and a downwind person at a distance of a few feet on a still night may see some benefit. Not everyone is within a few feet of the candle, and the plume does not survive even a light breeze in an open outdoor space. The product functions least effectively where it is used most often, namely outside, which is an inconvenient truth for both the manufacturers and the retailers.

What the Studies Say

It is not that citronella candles do not work; it is that they are near the bottom of the list in terms of mosquito-repelling products, with various studies showing only minimal reductions at best. The results are difficult to interpret, with the reductions that do appear being small and heavily localized. This is not to say that there were no benefits, but more that the benefits were insufficient to the task of an entire evening.

What Actually Works

It will surprise no one to learn that the tried-and-true ways of keeping insects off people are much more effective. A skin repellent is essential, with any of the active ingredients discussed above. The next best thing is moving air, which can be achieved with a large fan or two, to create a current that pushes bugs away from the seating area while also disrupting their ability to smell the carbon dioxide. Meanwhile, the removal of standing water is an important step in reducing the local mosquito population, and it has far-reaching benefits beyond a single gathering. Lastly, dressing in long sleeves and light clothing is a surprisingly effective measure.

The One Thing These Candles Are Good For

Lighting. A group of candles around the table at dusk is a wonderful way to set a mood, and people who buy citronella candles are often doing so for the ambiance as much as the bug control. That puts them in direct competition with every other form of patio lighting, including strings of small incandescent lights, lanterns, and even low-voltage garden lamps. On the other hand, a candle has to be relit every time the wind puts it out, which is most of what an evening outdoors involves.

The One Question That Often Goes Unasked

With an open flame, the dangers of fire are never far away. Placed on a wooden deck or beside a dry potted plant, candles are a serious fire hazard, especially if someone needs to get up and get a drink in the middle of the night. Candles in general are a leading cause of home fires, and outdoors adds wind and dry material to the mix. It is also an issue in some venues, and the restriction on open flames often extends outdoors as well, which is something to consider when booking a space.

What Goes on the Table, Then

The important consideration with any of these products is that they can only do so much. Bug spray is for repelling insects, fans are for supplementing that, and lighting is chosen based on aesthetics and convenience, with candles still being useful for small, intimate gatherings. It is entirely reasonable to like the fragrance and the atmosphere created by citronella candles, as long as they are not relied on to keep the bugs away, which is why they fail so spectacularly when people buy them for that very reason.

Conclusion: They Work Slightly, and Not Where It Matters Most

In truth, citronella candles work, just not far from the flame, and just not once there is any wind. They are not a comprehensive mosquito control plan, and that is the issue with most products marketed toward that specific end. Meanwhile, insect repellents keep the pests away, and the two can be combined, as long as the limitations of both are acknowledged.