Candles & Coils

Many people are reluctant to constantly spread or spray insect repellent on themselves and so are on the lookout for mosquito control methods that they can just sit outside to repel mosquitoes. The most common products on the market for this purpose are candles & coils.

Mosquito repellent candles are usually made of citronella, an essential lemon-scented oil that comes from a tropical Asian grass related to lemongrass. Currently, it’s the most commonly used plant-based oil for natural insect repellent products. Opinions are mixed as to whether it’s more effective to wear citronella products or burn them in your backyard. Certain trials have demonstrated that citronella skin products do have some repellent power, but it only lasts for about 2 hours, with peak power dropping off after about 40 minutes from application.

As for citronella mosquito candles, trials have found that mosquitoes tend to bite people close to citronella candles less frequently than people not close to citronella candles, but the difference was not very significant. There is other evidence that shows that these candles don’t offer any protection. Some experts have hypothesized that citronella scent becomes too weak to be effective in an outdoor setting, especially when it’s windy. You can also get citronella torches, oils to be burned in outdoor lanterns, citronella scented wet wipes, citronella wristbands and citronella rub and spray-on lotions.

A mosquito coil, on the other hand, contains the insecticide Allethrin; when coils are burnt, they release smoke that is saturated with this insecticide. Scientists arrived at Allethrin by starting with pyrethrum, a natural insecticide produced by the African pyrethrum plant. Since this natural insecticide is degraded when exposed to light, though, scientists had to come up with a more stable alternative; hence, allethrin was born. Nowadays, there are various brands and models of coils, including the Off mosquito coil; you can also buy an Off mosquito coil refill for your coil online. Finally, to use a coil, you’ll also need to purchase a mosquito coil holder.

The downsides of these products are quite a few. First, you’ll have to remain in the plume of smoke given off by candles or coils in order to get what protection you can. While citronella smoke can be irritating, smoke given off by burning coils contains insecticides, which can be very harmful to people who breath it in; indeed, allethrin fumes have been shown to cause lung and nervous problems, among other issues, in countries where they are used in great amounts and in enclosed areas. Not only are these products potentially harmful but there is also serious doubt as to their efficacy; indeed, it’s been shown that almost any type of smoke, such as cigarettes or incense, may work like these products. And as long as mosquitoes are determined enough to fly around the fumes, you’ll get bitten. So there is no concrete answer to the questions: “Do citronella candles really repel mosquitoes?” or “Do coils really repel mosquitoes?”