DIY Mosquito Repellent Candle

Making your own mosquito repellent candle can be a fun and effective way to keep those pesky insects at bay during outdoor gatherings. Here’s a simple recipe you can try:

Materials:

• Candle wax (soy wax or beeswax are good choices)
• Wick
• Essential oils (such as citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, and/or peppermint)
• Candle container (such as a glass jar)
• Double boiler or heat-safe container for melting wax
• Stirring utensil
• Measuring cup
• Optional: dried herbs like rosemary or mint for added potency

Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Work Area: Set up your workspace with all your materials. Make sure the area is well-ventilated as melting wax can produce fumes.
2. Prepare Your Container: Place the wick in the center of your candle container. You can use a bit of melted wax to adhere the wick to the bottom of the container and keep it centered.
3. Melt the Wax: Use a double boiler or a heat-safe container placed in a pot of water to melt the wax. Heat the water to a gentle simmer and place the wax in the top container. Stir occasionally until the wax is completely melted.
4. Add Essential Oils: Once the wax is melted, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly. Then, add your chosen essential oils. Citronella is a popular choice for repelling mosquitoes, but you can also use other oils like eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, and peppermint. Be sure to add enough oil to scent the wax, usually around 30-50 drops per cup of wax, but you can adjust to your preference. Stir the oils into the wax thoroughly.
5. Optional: Add Dried Herbs: If you want to boost the potency of your candle, you can add dried herbs like rosemary or mint. Simply stir them into the wax along with the essential oils.
6. Pour the Wax: Carefully pour the scented wax into your candle container, making sure not to disturb the wick. Leave a bit of space at the top to avoid overflow.
7. Let it Set: Allow the candle to cool and set completely. This can take several hours, depending on the size of your candle.
8. Trim the Wick: Once the candle is fully set, trim the wick to about ¼ inch above the wax surface.

Your DIY mosquito repellent candle is now ready to use! When lighting the candle, make sure to place it in a safe location away from flammable materials and never leave it unattended. Enjoy your bug-free outdoor gatherings!

Be a step ahead of the bugs and make your own mosquito repellent candle for your next camping trip to Camp Lakewood Campground.