Do those citronella candles really keep bugs away?

[Leros]

I've been going to the park a lot in the evening. Just sitting down somewhere and hanging out. Recently the bugs have started getting annoying. I've seen those big citronella candles at Home Depot and supposedly they keep the bugs away.

Do they work?
Do they smell decent?

 

[TheoPetro]

I used to love the smell of those as a kid,... maybe that explains a lot?

They do a decent job of keeping bugs away but there not perfect. There definitely better than nothing though.

 

[mobobuff]

I've always gotten bitten by mosquitos even when sitting within 5-6 feet of a citronella candle. But I guess it's better than nothing.

Some people can't stand the smell, but I've never had a problem.

 

[No1ustad]

It works if u have enough and if the mosquitoes aren't desperate, i guess. helps, but doesn't work perfectly.

 

[Steve]

They smell okay, and may reduce numbers but often bugs are attracted by the scent too.

 

[pyonir]

if you sit within 12 inches of one maybe...or have like 38 of them in your yard...but otherwise if the bugs want to, they'll get ya.

 

[rudder]

The only effective anti-mosquito setup is those ones with propane tanks the put out CO2. Mosquitos ignore citronella unless they happen to fly through the exhaust. But they will find you.

 

[hanoverphist]

citronella irritates the bugs feet, making them not want to land on you, and the candles only really have an effective range of a couple feet from the candle wick. ya, they do work, but youd have to set them up in a good pattern to make them effective i would think. id rather use the spray for your bod, at least that will keep them from landing again. at least thats what ive heard. normally i dont ever use any of those products, i dont get bugged much by insects usually. my kids do tho, so i lather them up when we go out into the "wild"

 

[eplebnista]

I like to burn them just for the scent.

 

[moshquerade]

Does citronella work?



Most people agree that citronella helps fight off mosquitoes, but not much.

Here is what FAQ Farmer Marcy had to say: "Citronella is OK. The problem with this is, if there is the slightest breeze it can certainly affect what it's suppose to do. Many people don't care for the smell of it and if some people have allergies it can bother them."

Here is what gardening expert Walter Reeves said about it: "Citronella can reduce the number of bites - but only for people who stand very close to the candle or Tiki torch. If you enjoy smelling like smoke and risking a clothes fire, smoke-generating mosquito products might be for you."

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Does_citronella_work

 

[Leros]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like I'll have to use nasty bug spray. Yech.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: Leros
Thanks everyone. Sounds like I'll have to use nasty bug spray. Yech.

Off has some active kind that actually smells decent for a bug spray. Actually, forget decent. It smells decent on its own, knowing that its a bug spray it smells, well.. 'good'? lol
its not a smell to attract bugs, its one that just doesn't bother you, unlike regular sprays.

 

[DBL]

It's deet or nothing.