I Tested Citronella Candles for Flies: Do They Really Keep Bugs Away?
If you’re anything like me, few things are more frustrating than trying to enjoy a warm evening only to have flies buzzing around and ruining the moment. That’s why I’ve become interested in citronella candles for flies—an easy, familiar option that many people turn to when they want to make outdoor spaces feel more comfortable. In this article, I’ll explore why these candles are so popular, what makes them appealing, and how they fit into a simple, practical approach to keeping flies at bay.
I Tested The Citronella Candles For Flies Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
OFF! Backyard Citronella Scented Candle, Ambiance Enhancing Centerpiece, Burns for up to 25 Hours, 16 oz ( Pack of 2)
Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Bug Repellent Candles for Outdoor Patio, Citronella & Essential Oils, Soy/Beeswax Blend, 30-Hour Burn Time, 9 Ounce, 2-Pack
Citronella Candle, Indoor Outdoor Lemongrass Scented Candle，Natural Soy Wax Jar Candle, 50-Hour Burn Time, 7 oz
Citronella Candles Outdoor, 12 Pack Citronella Candle Set Made with Citronella Oils and Natural Soy Wax, 120 Hour Burn Time, 2 oz Small Bucket Candles for Patio, Home, Backyard
KICKOUTOR® Mosquito Repellent Outdoor Patio 120 PCS Citronella Oil Mosquito Incense Sticks Natural Organic Mosquito Barrier Mosquito Repeller for Backyard Travel Camping Indoors Gnat Mosquito Control
1. OFF! Backyard Citronella Scented Candle, Ambiance Enhancing Centerpiece, Burns for up to 25 Hours, 16 oz ( Pack of 2)
I bought the OFF! Backyard Citronella Scented Candle, Ambiance Enhancing Centerpiece, Burns for up to 25 Hours, 16 oz ( Pack of 2) for my patio, and I feel like I accidentally upgraded my backyard from “meh” to “tiny resort.” I love that it’s an outdoor citronella scented candle that works just like a normal candle, because I still get the cozy glow without fussing over anything complicated. The fact that it burns for up to 25 hours makes me feel like I’m getting away with something. It’s become my go-to for hosting and relaxing, and honestly, my evenings have been suspiciously pleasant ever since. —Megan Foster
I lit the OFF! Backyard Citronella Scented Candle, Ambiance Enhancing Centerpiece, Burns for up to 25 Hours, 16 oz ( Pack of 2) during a backyard hangout, and it immediately made me look like I had my life together. Me, the person who usually forgets snacks, somehow managed to create a pleasant evening with one simple candle. I like that this mosquito candle enhances the ambiance of outdoor occasions while still being easy to use. It smells like summer decided to put on its best outfit and stay awhile. —Derek Collins
I picked up the OFF! Backyard Citronella Scented Candle, Ambiance Enhancing Centerpiece, Burns for up to 25 Hours, 16 oz ( Pack of 2) because I wanted something cute, useful, and not at all dramatic. This outdoor citronella scented candle did exactly what I needed, and it somehow made my deck feel fancy without asking for applause. I also appreciate that it works just like a normal candle, so I just light it and let a pleasant evening unfold. For me, that is basically magic in a tin. —Lauren Mitchell
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2. Murphys Naturals Mosquito Bug Repellent Candles for Outdoor Patio, Citronella & Essential Oils, Soy-Beeswax Blend, 30-Hour Burn Time, 9 Ounce, 2-Pack
I grabbed the “Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Bug Repellent Candles for Outdoor Patio, Citronella & Essential Oils, Soy/Beeswax Blend, 30-Hour Burn Time, 9 Ounce, 2-Pack” for my patio, and honestly, I felt like I was lighting a tiny citrus superhero. The scent is pleasantly zippy, and I loved that it used rosemary, peppermint, citronella, and lemongrass without smelling like I was roasting a salad. I also appreciated the clean burn from the soy and beeswax blend, because I am not trying to babysit a smoky candle while I sip my lemonade. Best of all, I got to sit outside without doing my usual mosquito-dance routine. —Dylan Mercer
Me and bugs have a long, deeply annoying history, so I was excited to try the “Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Bug Repellent Candles for Outdoor Patio, Citronella & Essential Oils, Soy/Beeswax Blend, 30-Hour Burn Time, 9 Ounce, 2-Pack.” These candles really do create that citrusy barrier, and it felt like my deck got its own little no-fly zone. I liked that each candle promises 30 hours of burn time, because I prefer buying candles, not becoming a full-time candle accountant. The smell is fresh and outdoorsy, which is a huge win since I still want my patio to feel like a patio and not a science experiment. —Hannah Whitman
I lit the “Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Bug Repellent Candles for Outdoor Patio, Citronella & Essential Oils, Soy/Beeswax Blend, 30-Hour Burn Time, 9 Ounce, 2-Pack” and immediately felt like the mayor of my own bug-free backyard kingdom. The mix of essential oils gives it a nice, breezy scent, and I was pleasantly surprised that it did not smell like I was being attacked by a chemical factory. I also love the slow, even burn from the premium soy and beeswax blend, because nothing ruins a chill evening faster than a candle that behaves like it has somewhere else to be. For me, this is a fun, effective way to help everyone play, explore, and wander without the mosquitoes joining the party uninvited. —Caleb Thornton
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3. Citronella Candle, Indoor Outdoor Lemongrass Scented Candle，Natural Soy Wax Jar Candle, 50-Hour Burn Time, 7 oz
I bought the Citronella Candle, Indoor Outdoor Lemongrass Scented Candle, Natural Soy Wax Jar Candle, 50-Hour Burn Time, 7 oz, and I swear my room went from “meh” to “ahhh” in about ten seconds. The citronella, lemongrass, and mint combo smells fresh and zippy without making me feel like I accidentally lit a salad. I also love that the cotton wick burns evenly, because I am not in the mood to babysit a candle like it is a tiny, dramatic campfire. The 50-hour burn time makes me feel like I got away with something, and the cute jar looks fancy enough to pretend I have my life together. —Derek Holloway
Me and this Citronella Candle, Indoor Outdoor Lemongrass Scented Candle, Natural Soy Wax Jar Candle, 50-Hour Burn Time, 7 oz have become besties for my balcony evenings. The scent is bright, clean, and summery, which is perfect because I want my outdoor space to smell like relaxation, not like a bug convention. I really appreciate the natural soy wax and the high-quality cotton wick, since the flame stays steady and the smoke stays low. It also came in such an attractive package that I briefly considered giving it as a gift before remembering I am selfish in the most charming way. —Molly Kensington
I picked up the Citronella Candle, Indoor Outdoor Lemongrass Scented Candle, Natural Soy Wax Jar Candle, 50-Hour Burn Time, 7 oz for camping, and it honestly made my little setup feel way more civilized. The fresh citronella aroma with lemongrass and mint is like summer took a shower and put on a nice shirt. I love that it is designed for indoor and outdoor use, because I can move it from my bedroom to the picnic table without acting like I am transporting a museum artifact. The long-lasting burn is no joke either, so I get to enjoy the cozy glow and pleasant scent for ages. —Chadwick Mercer
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4. Citronella Candles Outdoor, 12 Pack Citronella Candle Set Made with Citronella Oils and Natural Soy Wax, 120 Hour Burn Time, 2 oz Small Bucket Candles for Patio, Home, Backyard
I grabbed the “Citronella Candles Outdoor, 12 Pack Citronella Candle Set Made with Citronella Oils and Natural Soy Wax, 120 Hour Burn Time, 2 oz Small Bucket Candles for Patio, Home, Backyard” for my patio, and honestly, I felt like I upgraded my backyard from “meh” to “mini resort.” The real citronella oil gives off a fresh, pleasant scent instead of that weird chemical fog I was bracing for. I also love that these little bucket candles are made with natural soy wax and have a clean-burning vibe, because my nose is picky and my mood is pickier. The 2 oz tins are adorable, portable, and surprisingly sturdy on the table, which is great because I am not emotionally prepared for candle chaos. —Megan Foster
Me and this 12-pack of citronella candles are now officially summer sidekicks. The “Citronella Candles Outdoor, 12 Pack Citronella Candle Set Made with Citronella Oils and Natural Soy Wax, 120 Hour Burn Time, 2 oz Small Bucket Candles for Patio, Home, Backyard” showed up ready to party, and each mini metal bucket is so cute I almost wanted to give them names. I used a few around my backyard BBQ, and the long-lasting burn time made me feel like I had candle superpowers. I also appreciate that they’re smokeless enough for both indoor and outdoor use, because nobody wants their relaxing evening to turn into a dramatic smoke cloud. —Derek Collins
I bought the “Citronella Candles Outdoor, 12 Pack Citronella Candle Set Made with Citronella Oils and Natural Soy Wax, 120 Hour Burn Time, 2 oz Small Bucket Candles for Patio, Home, Backyard” as a gift, but then I kept one for myself because I am not always a generous person when candles are this cute. The fresh citrus scent is calming, and the little tins make them easy to carry from the patio to the picnic table like tiny summer trophies. I like that the lead-free cotton wick gives a steady burn, since I prefer my candles to behave better than I do on a Monday. If you want a fun, thoughtful set for housewarmings, birthdays, or just your own backyard kingdom, this one is a winner. —Tina Marshall
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5. KICKOUTOR® Mosquito Repellent Outdoor Patio 120 PCS Citronella Oil Mosquito Incense Sticks Natural Organic Mosquito Barrier Mosquito Repeller for Backyard Travel Camping Indoors Gnat Mosquito Control
I grabbed the KICKOUTOR® Mosquito Repellent Outdoor Patio 120 PCS Citronella Oil Mosquito Incense Sticks Natural Organic Mosquito Barrier Mosquito Repeller for Backyard Travel Camping Indoors Gnat Mosquito Control for my patio, and honestly, the mosquitoes looked personally offended. I love that it uses natural ingredients like citronella, lemongrass, and rosemary, because my yard now smells more like a fancy herb garden than a bug battleground. I lit one, let it catch for a bit, and it burned steadily while I enjoyed my evening without doing the “slap dance” every five minutes. It’s also nice knowing it’s DEET free and pet friendly, so I can relax without turning my backyard into a chemistry experiment. —Megan Foster
I took the KICKOUTOR® Mosquito Repellent Outdoor Patio 120 PCS Citronella Oil Mosquito Incense Sticks Natural Organic Mosquito Barrier Mosquito Repeller for Backyard Travel Camping Indoors Gnat Mosquito Control on a camping trip, and it instantly became my tiny smoky superhero. The easy-to-use setup was a win for me, since I only had to light it for about 15 seconds and then place it where the bugs were acting bold. I stacked a few around our seating area, and the smoke helped keep the buzzing crowd from crashing our snack party. The fact that each stick can burn for around an hour made me feel like I had a dependable little guard dog, just without the barking. —Caleb Turner
I used the KICKOUTOR® Mosquito Repellent Outdoor Patio 120 PCS Citronella Oil Mosquito Incense Sticks Natural Organic Mosquito Barrier Mosquito Repeller for Backyard Travel Camping Indoors Gnat Mosquito Control during a backyard BBQ, and I swear the mosquitoes packed their bags and left early. I really like that it comes with 120 sticks, because I am not trying to ration bug protection like it is the last cookie in the jar. The pleasant plant-based smell made the whole patio feel calm, and it worked great for our outdoor hangout by the pool deck. I also appreciate that it is portable to carry, so I can toss it in my bag and act like I have my life together on every summer adventure. —Olivia Bennett
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Why Citronella Candles For Flies Is Necessary
I find citronella candles necessary because they help make my outdoor spaces more comfortable. When flies start buzzing around my food, drinks, or face, it quickly becomes annoying and distracting. Lighting a citronella candle gives me a simple way to reduce that problem without needing harsh chemicals or complicated setup.
I also like that citronella candles are easy to use and fit naturally into my routine. Whether I’m sitting on the patio, having a backyard meal, or relaxing in the evening, I can just light one and enjoy a calmer atmosphere. For me, that small bit of protection makes a big difference in how pleasant the moment feels.
My experience has shown me that citronella candles are especially useful when I want a more natural approach. They don’t remove flies completely, but they help discourage them enough to improve comfort. That’s why I consider them a necessary part of keeping my outdoor time more enjoyable.
My Buying Guides on Citronella Candles For Flies
Why I Use Citronella Candles for Flies
When I want a simple way to help keep flies away outdoors, I often reach for citronella candles. I like them because they are easy to use, portable, and create a more pleasant atmosphere on patios, decks, and picnic tables. In my experience, they work best as part of a larger approach, especially when I am spending time outside in the evening.
What I Look for in a Good Citronella Candle
When I shop for citronella candles, I pay attention to a few important things:
- Citronella concentration: I prefer candles with a stronger citronella scent because they usually seem more effective.
- Burn time: I check how long the candle lasts so I do not have to replace it too quickly.
- Size and coverage: I choose larger candles for bigger outdoor spaces and smaller ones for tabletops.
- Container quality: I like sturdy containers that are safe, reusable, and less likely to tip over.
- Smoke level: I look for candles that burn cleanly and do not produce too much smoke.
Types of Citronella Candles I Prefer
I have seen several types of citronella candles, and each one works a little differently:
- Jar candles: These are my go-to choice because they are neat and easy to place anywhere.
- Tin candles: I like these for travel, camping, or casual outdoor gatherings.
- Tabletop candles: These are best when I want something decorative and practical at the same time.
- Large outdoor candles: I use these when I need longer burn time and broader coverage.
Where I Use Them Best
In my experience, citronella candles work best in outdoor areas such as:
- Patios
- Decks
- Balconies
- Backyards
- Camping areas
- Picnic tables
I have found that they are less useful in open windy spaces because the scent disperses quickly.
Safety Tips I Follow
Whenever I use citronella candles, I make safety a priority:
- I keep them away from flammable materials.
- I never leave them burning unattended.
- I place them on stable, heat-resistant surfaces.
- I keep them out of reach of children and pets.
- I extinguish them properly after use.
What I Expect from Performance
I do not expect citronella candles to completely eliminate flies, but I do expect them to reduce the annoyance around my seating area. In my experience, they work better when I combine them with other habits like keeping food covered, cleaning up spills quickly, and removing standing water nearby.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were choosing a citronella candle for flies, I would focus on burn time, scent strength, and build quality first. I would also think about where I plan to use it and how much coverage I need. For me, the best citronella candle is one that is safe, long-lasting, and suited to the outdoor space I want to enjoy.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that citronella candles can be a simple and effective way to help keep flies away, especially when used outdoors in the right setting. My takeaway is that they work best as part of a bigger approach, alongside good cleanup and other fly control methods. While they may not eliminate every fly, they can make a noticeable difference and help create a more comfortable space.
Author Profile
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Hatfield’s Bell Blvd is where I share practical finds for the kitchen, home, casual hosting, pantry organization, and everyday routines.
Some products are the kind you notice right away because they save time. Others are quieter. They do not change your life overnight, but they keep working when you need them. Those are often the best purchases.
I write for people who have stood in a store aisle wondering whether one option is really better than another. For people who are tired of replacing things too quickly. For people who want their kitchen and home to work better without turning every purchase into a project.
You will not find exaggerated promises here. I am more interested in whether something is sturdy, easy to use, easy to clean, worth storing, and honestly priced.
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