A Bug-Free Season Is Possible With These Citronella Candles

Keeping you and your family safe from mosquitos is part of enjoying the outdoors throughout the summer season. Protecting platters of food with mesh coverings and stocking up on bug repellent always helps — but nothing does the trick like sparking a few citronella candles. They help mask scents that are attractive to mosquitos, so they can be useful to burn during an outdoor dinner and are sure to keep the atmosphere safe yet still celebratory.

The jury is still out on the effectiveness of using citronella candles alone. One study from 1996 found that using citronella-infused candles and incense reduced mosquito bites by 42% and 24%, respectively, but didn't eliminate the chance of them happening. The case is probably true for the products in this guide. For added insurance, you will probably want to have topical bug repellent and maybe even a light layer for covering legs and shoulders with you if you're determined not to get bitten.

The Best Citronella Candles

Citronella products come in candle, torch-fuel, and incense form, so you can pick your potency. We chose the following products based on their majority of positive reviews and their varying formats for large- and small-scale enjoyment. Here are 10 different types of citronella candles and products to help you keep the bugs at bay this summer.