Unfortunately, the commercial insect repellents that we use can be dangerous to our health and the environment if used frequently and in large quantities.
Thankfully, there are natural ways to get rid of these destructive crawlers. One of them is the use of candles. Without further ado, here are twelve candles that keep bugs away.
12 Candles that keep bugs away
1.Citronella candles
Although some people may be skeptical about its effectiveness, this is arguably one of the most commonly used candles used to quell these insatiable creatures.
Mostly known for eradicating mosquitoes, citronella oil is extracted from the lemongrass plant(not the citronella plant). Mosquitoes have a very keen sense of smell, which is the main reason they are drawn towards your blood.
However, mosquitoes find that citrusy lemon-like scent released by the candle very irritating.
Research has it that the scent works in areas that have limited air movement.
Therefore, it is best that you light the candle in a place where there is little air movement, or better still, make sure that you close your windows and doors when you light the candle to maximize its effectiveness.
2. Peppermint candles
Peppermint is such a refreshing scent, but not for most of these bugs. Peppermint is an excellent repellent that drives away spiders, cockroaches, bedbugs, sandflies, fruit flies, wasps, ants, ticks, to mention a few.
Since these bugs hate the smell of peppermint, placing the candles at their entry points like windows, and also their cozy hideouts like garages, closets, under the sink, will indeed send them packing.
3. Lavender candles
You know those dusty like flying pests that eat up your clothes? Yes, Lavender keeps away clothes moths.
Not only do these moths find lavender irritating, but also scorpions, flies, gnats, and mosquitoes too.
Just place the candles at your doors and windows for the scent to waft into your house.
4. Cedarwood candles
Cedarwood is a natural bug repellent that combats these unwanted creatures inside and outside of your home in several ways. For starters, cedarwood is known to dehydrate bugs.
Most bugs are sensitive to moisture loss, so when they come into contact with cedarwood, it sort of dries off the moisture in their bodies, eventually killing them.
Cedarwood is also known to disrupt the bugs’ pheromones. This is an essential chemical that is responsible for navigation, mating, among other critical activities.
Lastly, cedarwood blocks the bugs’ openings, eventually suffocating.
Related reading: Do mosquitoes prefer a specific blood type
5. Rosemary candles
We all know the many benefits rosemary has on our health, and how great it is for cooking. But that is not the same case for most bugs.
Rosemary has this pungent smell that drives away mosquitoes, cabbage moths, flies, to name a few.
6. Basil candles
Apart from spicing up your food and making it delicious, basil is also an excellent bug repellent. It’s aroma drives away mosquitoes and flies.
It is also known to be very toxic to mosquito larvae, so to maximize it’s effectiveness, place it in areas where they thrive to prevent them from laying eggs.
7. Marigold candles
Apart from killing nematodes and harmful pests in your garden, marigold is an excellent mosquito repellent.
Lighting up the candles at night when they are very active will eradicate them, leaving you with a mosquito-free house.
8. Eucalyptus candles
Eucalyptus candles are excellent spider repellents. They drive them away without harming them because spiders play a very vital role in the ecosystem.
They feed on other insects, which may be potentially destructive to you. Since no one wants to share a roof with a couple of creepy eight-legged creatures, they should stay outdoors.
Apart from keeping spiders at bay, eucalyptus candles also eradicate silverfish, flies, cockroaches, fleas, and mosquitoes.
Related reading: How to clean after a bug bomb
9. Clove candles
Apart from being another go-to spice for almost every kitchen, cloves are also excellent bug repellents.
Cloves have a very distinctive scent that we can not fail to notice, and so do most bugs. However, these destructive crawlers like ants, mosquitoes, moths, flies do not like that scent.
Light these Candles that keep bugs away in areas where you have noticed any of these bugs activities and watch them leave your home.
10. Bergamot candles
Apart from Its pleasant citrusy scent that is enough to get anyone calm and relaxed, bergamot also doubles as a fantastic bug repellent.
Aside from driving mosquitoes, flies, and even spiders away, research has it that it is also 100% effective against mosquito larvae.
11. Cinnamon candles
We all know how cinnamon makes our sauces, soups, and other dishes smell heavenly and taste delicious.
However, that is not the case for so many bugs that may be giving you a nightmare. Bugs like mosquitoes and ants dislike the scent of cinnamon, so they choose to stay away.
Apart from that, cinnamon is known to kill mosquito larvae. Just like other candles, make sure to place the candle where you have noticed a lot of them.
12. Rose geranium candles
Just like most of these candles, rose geranium candles release a delightful and relaxing scent. However, most bugs, especially mosquitoes, resent that scent.
Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide we release, that is how they track their host. When you light up this candle, the scent tends to cover up that odor you release, therefore keeping them away.
Apart from mosquitoes, ants, flies, and silverfish also find this scent so overwhelming that they have no other option but to leave.
No one wants these bugs, either eating up their clothes, destroying their food or biting up on them. Well, thanks to these naturally scented candles, you can put an end to these destructive creatures.
Just make sure that you minimize the air movement by closing the doors and windows in your home whenever you light up any of these Candles that keep bugs away to avoid the wind blowing the scent.
Related reading: How to get rid of bugs around lights
