Citronella Candles

Ah, the warmer months are here. It’s time to shake off the bone chilling cold from the winter months and enjoy the sunshine.

We all love the summer whether you enjoy swimming, sunbathing or, for those younger readers, summer vacation we associate these months with rest and relaxation. Along with all of the positive things that we enjoy during the summer there are also those things that are a bit troublesome. For instance, many of us have to deal with allergies during these months. Often times the electric bill will rise due to the over use of air conditioners. Of all the negative aspects of these warm months, the worst of all is dealing with mosquitoes and other irritating insects. You all know what I’m talking about, it seems that just as you are about to step outside and enjoy the warmth and relaxation of a Summer night you begin to get swarmed with mosquitoes make it almost impossible to relax. Each and every time you go to light up the grill you are constantly bombarded with these vampire like bugs. Although this can be extremely annoying, I assure you that there are various remedies for this particular problem.

One of the most common remedies to help one avoid being bitten by mosquitoes is to use of the bug repellent. Although this chemical may be quite effective there have been various studies proving that it can also be equally unhealthy. Not to mention the fact that you were forced to call your skin with an extremely potent and greasy chemical. When using these repellent sprays you are constantly forced to reapply to ensure that you keep your skin safe from the continuous onslaught of these irritating bugs. So, is this the only way that one can enjoy the warmer months of the year? Are there any other options for individuals who would prefer not to cook their body and a harsh chemical? The answers to these questions is of course yes. For those of you that are looking to keep your yard free of mosquitoes and other annoying bugs you may want to consider citronella candles. By simply adding a few of these specialized candles to the perimeter of your yard you can keep these insects at bay. In this article we are going to discuss several aspects of citronella candles so you could better understand exactly how they work and if they are the right choice for you.

What exactly is a citronella candle? Essentially, citronella candles are comprised of wax and citronella oil. This oil is extracted from a special plant known as citronella grass that is usually found in southeast Asia. For years agents have used this plant to help repel various flying insects. Although we are more interested in this particular vegetation’s effect on insects, citronella grass, or lemongrass, has been used by Asians for years as an ingredient in cooking as well as tea. This is primarily due to the fact that citronella grass has a pleasant lemon-like order and taste. Although you may not want to cook with it, this is also a pleasant side effect of citronella candles. Unlike many insect repellents, the order that citronella candles on it is actually quite pleasant. This is an excellent way for you to not only add some light and color to your backyard but also keep smelling fresh and clean as well as insect free.

If you were concerned about the effects of citronella candles on your health, unlike insect repellents, citronella candles have absolutely no harmful side effects whatsoever, unless of course you are a mosquito. In fact, the only negative side effect that can be found when researching information on citronella candles is that certain studies suggest that they are not 100% effective. This basically means that by lighting a citronella candle you will not be keeping yourself 100% safe from various insects. This is something that can be easily rectified by keeping several citronella candles lit around the perimeter of your deck or backyard each and every time that you are outdoors. Because citronella candles usually come in a large container, you can feel free to use them as often as you want and not have to worry about them running out quickly.

Essentially, these candles are an inexpensive way to help make the summer months more pleasant. They will add a lemony scent to your backyard and help keep insects away. They are easily purchased just about anywhere and are very easy to use, just like any other candle you need only light the wick. Although citronella candles are quite common, you may have some difficulty locating them at local retailers during the colder months. If you are looking to purchase these specialty candles in the spring, fall or even winter, you may have to do some searching online to find a retailer that sells them year round. Aside from their less-than-perfect track record when it comes to keeping mosquitoes at bay, citronella candles are an amazingly simple, inexpensive and effective way to make the summer months a little bit more enjoyable. This may be why they have become so popular among so many Americans even though the oils that are used to make them have to travel over seas in order to be sold here.

Although they are commonly used and found in candle form in the United States, you may also be interested in purchasing citronella in the form of natural oils. Once again, unlike insect repellent, citronella oil is a natural and safe way to repel mosquitoes and other insects. Basically as opposed to spring a harmful chemical on your body you would be adding a lemon scented oil. Citronella oils are perfectly safe and can be used in conjunction with citronella candles to ensure that you stay mosquito free during the summer months.