Mosquito-Free Zone: The Benefits of Citronella Candles

By Karen Platt, Co-Founder, CandleXchange

Australian summers are made for outdoor living — long evenings on the deck, barbecues with friends, sunset drinks on the balcony. The only thing reliably capable of ending all of that early is a swarm of mosquitoes.

Citronella candles have been used as a natural mosquito deterrent for generations, and for good reason. Here's how they actually work, what makes a quality citronella candle different from the cheap hardware store version, and how to get the best results from yours.

How Citronella Actually Works

Citronella oil is derived from certain species of lemongrass and contains several aromatic compounds — principally citronellal, citronellol, and geraniol. These compounds do two things that mosquitoes find deeply unpleasant.

First, they mask the carbon dioxide and skin odours that mosquitoes use to locate potential hosts. Mosquitoes are remarkably good at finding warm-blooded creatures, but they rely heavily on scent cues — and citronella disrupts that signal. Second, research suggests that the compounds may directly interfere with mosquitoes' olfactory receptors, making it harder for them to navigate toward a target even if they detect the general area.

The result is a meaningful reduction in mosquito activity in the immediate vicinity of the candle — particularly effective in calm conditions where the scent can disperse steadily rather than being blown away.

Why the Quality of the Candle Matters

Not all citronella candles are equal — and the ones you typically find at hardware stores and supermarkets are a good illustration of why.

Most budget citronella candles are made from paraffin wax with a small amount of synthetic citronella compound added. Paraffin is a petroleum by-product that burns less cleanly, produces more soot, and doesn't release fragrance as efficiently as natural soy wax. A low concentration of synthetic citronella in a paraffin base is unlikely to give you meaningful protection — and it will produce more chemical off-gassing while doing it.

A quality citronella candle uses natural soy wax and properly concentrated citronella oil. Soy wax has a lower melting point, which means it releases fragrance — including the active citronella compounds — more efficiently and at a lower temperature. The result is better scent throw, better coverage, and a cleaner burn.

Our soy candles are made from 100% natural soy wax poured in Australia — no paraffin, no synthetic additives. Learn more about our approach to sustainability and ingredients.

The CandleXchange Citronella, Lavender & Rosemary Candle

Our Citronella, Lavender & Rosemary candle was designed specifically for outdoor Australian entertaining. The citronella provides the insect-deterrent effect, but it's the combination of oils that makes it genuinely enjoyable to burn — not just functional.

Lavender softens the sharpness of the citronella and adds a calming, beautifully fragrant dimension. Rosemary adds an herbal freshness and depth that makes the whole blend feel sophisticated rather than clinical. The result is a candle you'd want burning at a dinner party regardless of the mosquito situation — the insect deterrence is a bonus rather than the whole point.

It's also built for the outdoors: our soy wax base and natural oil formulation perform well in warm Australian conditions without going soft or releasing fragrance unevenly.

Where and How to Use It

Citronella candles work best when placed thoughtfully:

• Position near the perimeter of your space, not just in the centre. Mosquitoes approach from the edges — placing candles around the boundary creates a scent barrier rather than just a central point.
• Protect from wind. A strong breeze disperses the scent too quickly to be effective and can also cause an uneven burn. Position candles in spots with some shelter — under a pergola, against a wall, or on a table in a relatively still spot.
• Light candles 15–20 minutes before guests arrive to allow the fragrance to establish in the space before mosquito activity peaks at dusk.
• For larger areas, use multiple candles spaced evenly rather than one large candle. Coverage is about scent density across the space, not a single concentrated source.

For full outdoor candle safety guidance — including burn time limits and keeping candles stable on uneven outdoor surfaces — visit our Candle Care page.

Getting the Most Out of Every Burn

A few practical tips that make a real difference outdoors:

• First burn: Allow a full melt pool to form across the entire surface on the first burn (approximately 2 hours for a 300g candle). This prevents tunnelling and ensures the full fragrance load — including the citronella — is available for every subsequent burn.
• Trim the wick to 5mm before each use. A long wick causes a larger, flickering flame that's more vulnerable to wind and burns through the wax unevenly.
• Don't burn in rain. Beyond the obvious safety concern, moisture on the wax surface can affect performance and fragrance release.
• Use the lid after extinguishing to preserve the fragrance oils and protect the wax surface until next use.

When you're done with the candle, bring the jar back through our Return & Swap program — we'll clean it and refill it. No new packaging, no waste.

A Note on Realistic Expectations

Citronella candles are a genuine deterrent — but they're not a force field. They work best in calm, relatively contained outdoor spaces: a covered deck, a pergola, an outdoor dining area with some enclosure. In a wide-open backyard with a strong breeze on a warm night, even a good citronella candle will be working against the conditions.

Think of citronella candles as one layer in a sensible outdoor approach. Combined with appropriate clothing, eliminating standing water near your space, and positioning your seating away from garden beds (where mosquitoes rest), they're genuinely effective. As the sole strategy in challenging conditions, the results will vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do citronella candles actually work against mosquitoes?

Yes, within limits. Citronella oil contains compounds that mask the scent cues mosquitoes use to find hosts, and research suggests it may also interfere directly with their olfactory receptors. Studies have shown a meaningful reduction in mosquito landing attempts in the vicinity of burning citronella candles, though effectiveness depends heavily on wind conditions and the size of the outdoor space. In a calm, contained area, a quality soy-based citronella candle is a genuinely useful deterrent — not infallible, but real. Our Citronella, Lavender & Rosemary candle is formulated to deliver the active compounds at effective concentrations.

Are citronella candles safe around pets and children?

Standard outdoor candle safety applies: keep out of reach of children, never leave burning unattended, and ensure the candle is on a stable, heat-safe surface. Regarding citronella oil specifically — it can be irritating to cats and some dogs if inhaled in concentration. Use in well-ventilated outdoor areas rather than enclosed spaces, and if you have pets that tend to stay close to the candle, give them room to move away from the scent. If you have concerns about a specific pet, consult your vet. For full safety guidelines, see our Candle Care page.

How many citronella candles do I need for a large outdoor area?

As a general guide, one 300g candle covers a modest outdoor space (roughly a small deck or seating area for four to six people). For a larger entertaining area, use two to three candles spaced around the perimeter rather than grouped together — coverage comes from distributing the scent across the space, not concentrating it in one spot. Wind is the biggest variable: in breezy conditions, you'll need more candles and to position them in sheltered spots to maintain an effective scent level.