Many people believe citronella candles keep mosquitoes away. This belief doesn't hold up under close inspection.
Citronella candles are a common item in many Western homes. They are usually burned outdoors to repel mosquitoes and other flying insects. But careful research shows that the kinds of candles most people use do not work. They are too weak to keep mosquitoes away.
Oil of citronella does repel mosquitoes. But it takes a lot more oil than is found in almost all candles. In fact, most citronella candles are no more effective than any other kind of candle in keeping mosquitoes at bay.
An effective insect repellent is a the chemical DEET, which is found in most commercially available insect repellent products in the West. The chemical has been available for several decades and has not been found to be harmful to humans in most of its applications.
On the other hand, there is a natural product that is freely available in India that has been found to be more effective than DEET. That product is neem oil, which is made from neem (Azadirachta indica)seeds.
Neem and neem oil have been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It is often mixed into cosmetics and other products used to treat ailments of the skin, including acne. It is often used in organic farming as an ingredient in plant fortifiers. There are some dangers in the use of neem seeds, especially to pregnant women. So please be careful before use; follow your medical practitioner's directions carefully.
There is also a simpler solution to the problem of keeping mosquitoes away: fans. Mosquitoes are not very strong. They have trouble flying in heavy breezes. Fans usually create breezes too strong for mosquitoes to fly in.
An additional benefit of fans is that they push away the body odors and the carbon dioxide that usually attract mosquitoes. If the mosquitoes can't find you, you're much safer. And happier.
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