Homemade Mosquito Candles – Natural Repellant for Mosquitoes
Tips for staying itch free during the summer months with tips for making natural anti-itch solutions and tips for making homemade mosquito repellant candles.
It’s the golden hour, my favorite time of day. The sun begins to sink into the forest, and the entire landscape takes on a patina color glaze, like an old painting.
Chimney swifts chatter and soar through the sky. I hear the loud buzz of a hummingbird, as it sips from the purple and pink ballet skirts of a hanging fuchsia plant. Two bejeweled dragonflies dance circles around each other, sounding a softer buzz. Then I hear it…the unmistakable whining buzz of a mosquito!
The long beautiful days of summer are here, bringing with them, insect bites, sunburns, and poison ivy. Fortunately, nature also provides us with herbs that may help relieve some of summer’s woes.
I always keep a pot of Aloe Vera growing on the windowsill. I simply break off a piece and apply the juice, when anyone in my family has a mild sunburn.
For a simple insect repellent, try adding 3 drops organic Citronella essential oil to 1 liter of water. Shake well and spray. Avoid contact with eyes.
Lavender essential oil can help relieve insect stings or bites. Apply directly with a cotton swab.
Jewelweed grows in the same environment as poison ivy. (How convenient is that!) Slice the stem, and rub directly on exposed area. The entire plant may also be emulsified in a blender, and applied fresh. Jewelweed may stain clothing.
Another way to ease the itch of poison ivy, oak, or sumac, is with an oatmeal bath. Process one cup of oatmeal to a very fine powder. Stir into a warm bath. Careful! Oatmeal will make the tub slippery.
Homemade Citronella Candle
Try making this candle to keep mosquitoes away. To get started your will need the following:
- Wax, granules or block
- Saucepan and a metal can
- Mold
- Cotton wick
- Citronella essential oil
Melt the wax in a can, which has been set inside a larger pan with simmering water. Do not let any water get into your wax.
Cut a piece of wick longer than your mold. (See package for diameter of wick needed.) Dip it into the melted wax and allow it to stiffen. Attach the wick to the bottom of the mold with a small piece of putty, modeling clay, hot glue, or a wick tab.
To keep your wick centered, place a pencil over the top of your container, and loop the wick over it. For a larger candle, try adding several wicks.
Add a drop or three of Citronella oil, to the melted wax. If you add more than 3 parts oil to wax, by weight, the oil may seep from your candle. Gently stir. (Essential oils are highly flammable. Take care around flames.)
Pour into the mold. Let the candle set until cool.
*Molds may be seashells, film canisters, tempered glass jars, tuna cans, or even paper cups. Lightly spray with a non-stick cooking spray.
May you enjoy beautiful summer evenings, and may they be itch free!
By Toria Betson
