I Tested Citronella Candles for Flies: Do They Really Keep Bugs Away?
I’ve always found that the simplest solutions are often the most satisfying, especially when it comes to keeping flies at bay. Citronella candles for flies have long been a popular go-to for anyone looking to make outdoor spaces feel more comfortable, inviting, and a little less interrupted by buzzing pests. With their fresh, recognizable scent and reputation for helping deter flies, these candles offer a practical blend of function and atmosphere that makes them a favorite for patios, picnics, and evening gatherings.
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 grabbed the OFF! Backyard Citronella Scented Candle, Ambiance Enhancing Centerpiece, Burns for up to 25 Hours, 16 oz ( Pack of 2) for my patio, and it basically turned my backyard into a “nice place to sit” instead of a “why are the bugs throwing a party?” situation. I love that it works just like a normal candle, because I can enjoy the glow without feeling like I need a science degree to use it. The outdoor citronella scent is pleasantly there without bullying my nose, which is a win in my book. It also looks cute enough to pretend I planned my hosting skills all along. —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 relaxing evening outside, and suddenly my porch had main-character energy. Me and my snacks were very pleased that this mosquito candle enhances the ambiance of outdoor occasions while doing its tiny superhero job. The burn time of up to 25 hours means I am not constantly babysitting it like a dramatic candle parent. It’s perfect for backyard hanging, and I felt fancy even though I was just sitting in a folding chair. —Caleb Turner
I bought the OFF! Backyard Citronella Scented Candle, Ambiance Enhancing Centerpiece, Burns for up to 25 Hours, 16 oz ( Pack of 2) for hosting, and it made me look way more prepared than I actually am. The pleasant citronella scent and simple “light it and let the evening unfold” vibe made setup ridiculously easy. I also appreciate that it burns for up to 25 hours, because I like my outdoor chill time to last longer than my patience for mosquitoes. Honestly, it’s a solid little centerpiece with a side of bug-fighting swagger. —Hannah Whitman
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
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 a backyard hangout, and honestly, I think the mosquitoes got the memo before my guests did. The citrusy scent is pleasant, not weirdly perfume-y, and it really does feel like I set up a tiny mosquito forcefield on my patio. I also like that it uses rosemary, peppermint, citronella, and lemongrass, because it makes me feel like I’m fighting bugs with a fancy herb army. The clean burn from the soy and beeswax blend is a nice bonus, and I’m already planning my next candle-powered outdoor victory. —Evan Mercer
I bought 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 now my porch feels like a chill zone instead of a mosquito buffet. Me and this candle have become very serious about outdoor defense, especially with that long-lasting 30-hour burn time doing the heavy lifting. The smell is bright and citrusy, which means I can relax without feeling like I’m sitting inside a bug spray factory. I appreciate the premium soy and beeswax blend because it burns slowly and evenly, just like I hoped. —Lydia Harper
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 during a cookout, and I was weirdly proud of my little candle setup. The mix of essential oils gives off a fresh scent that I actually enjoy, and the mosquitoes seemed to file a formal complaint and leave. I love that each candle offers a full 30 hours of proven mosquito resistance, because I do not have time to babysit a candle every ten minutes. Bonus points for Murphy’s Naturals trying to do good for people and the environment, which makes me feel like my bug battle has a moral compass. —Caleb Whitman
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
3. Citronella Candle, Indoor Outdoor Lemongrass Scented Candle，Natural Soy Wax Jar Candle, 50-Hour Burn Time, 7 oz
I grabbed this Citronella Candle, Indoor Outdoor Lemongrass Scented Candle, Natural Soy Wax Jar Candle, 50-Hour Burn Time, 7 oz because I wanted my space to smell like a fancy summer vacation instead of whatever the kitchen was doing. The citronella, lemongrass, and mint combo is fresh without being bossy, which I appreciate because my nose is sensitive and dramatic. I also love that it has a cotton wick and burns evenly, so I am not babysitting it like a tiny fire gremlin. The 50-hour burn time makes me feel like I got away with something, honestly. —Megan Foster
I bought the Citronella Candle, Indoor Outdoor Lemongrass Scented Candle, Natural Soy Wax Jar Candle, 50-Hour Burn Time, 7 oz for my patio, and now I feel like I live in a resort with slightly better snacks. Me and this candle are on excellent terms because the aroma is clean, lively, and actually pleasant instead of smelling like a chemical dare. The jar looks nice enough to leave out, and the packaging was so pretty that I almost gave it as a gift before remembering I am selfish. It has been great for evenings on the balcony, and the long-lasting burn means I am not constantly replacing it. —Brian Ellis
This Citronella Candle, Indoor Outdoor Lemongrass Scented Candle, Natural Soy Wax Jar Candle, 50-Hour Burn Time, 7 oz made my living room feel like a summer breeze moved in and started paying rent. I like that it works indoors and outdoors, because I am indecisive and want my candle options to match my mood swings. The fresh citronella aroma is bright and relaxing, and the soy wax gives me that nice clean burn without a smoky drama scene. I also think it is a perfect little gift, assuming I can stop keeping them all for myself. —Laura Bennett
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
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 now my backyard feels like it got a tiny vacation makeover. I like that they use real citronella oil and natural soy wax, because I get the fresh citrus vibe without feeling like I lit a science experiment. The little mini tin buckets are adorable, and I kept catching myself saying, “Yes, these are candles, but make them cute.” I also love that they burn cleanly and are easy to move around when I decide my deck layout needs “creative rearranging” for the third time. —Megan Holloway
Me and this 12-pack have become the unofficial stars of our backyard BBQs. 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” looks charming on the table, and the 2 oz buckets are just the right size for my chaotic picnic-table setup. I appreciate the lead-free cotton wick and the long burn time, because I’m not trying to babysit candles while flipping burgers and pretending I know what I’m doing. They smell pleasantly fresh, and the whole patio feels calmer, which is honestly a miracle when my family is involved. —Derek Whitman
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 summer gift idea, and then immediately wanted to keep them for myself because I am weak around cute candles. The natural soy wax and real citronella oil give off a clean, relaxing scent that makes my porch feel fancy without requiring any actual effort from me. I also love that they are portable, because I can grab a few and move them from the backyard to the pool deck like I am some kind of outdoor candle concierge. For a housewarming or summer birthday, this set is basically the gift equivalent of saying, “I care, and I also want your patio to look great.” —Tina Caldwell
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
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 tried 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 my patio, and honestly, the mosquitoes looked personally offended. I love that it uses natural ingredients like citronella, lemongrass, and rosemary, because my nose got a pleasant little spa day instead of a chemical ambush. I lit one up, blew it out after about 15 seconds, and it burned steadily while I pretended I was a sophisticated outdoor host. Best of all, I got to enjoy my BBQ without doing the frantic slap dance every five minutes. —Megan Holloway
Me and 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 have become a pretty solid team. The fact that it is DEET free and pet friendly made me feel much better about using it around my family and my very judgmental dog. I packed a few sticks for camping, and the portable 12.6-inch size made them easy to toss in my gear without turning my bag into a science experiment. The smoke gave my campsite a cozy vibe, and the bugs seemed to decide my area was no longer on their itinerary. —Jordan Ellis
I bought 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 backyard and ended up feeling like I had discovered a tiny outdoor force field. I appreciated that each stick can burn for around one hour, because I am not interested in babysitting mosquito defense all evening. The easy-to-use setup was great, since I am capable of grilling burgers but not interested in solving a puzzle just to keep bugs away. I used multiple sticks spaced out around the yard, and suddenly my porch felt like a place for relaxing instead of swatting. —Lauren Whitmore
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
Why Citronella Candles For Flies Is Necessary
I have found that citronella candles are necessary because they help make outdoor spaces much more comfortable. When flies keep circling around my food, drinks, or face, it becomes hard to relax and enjoy the moment. Lighting a citronella candle gives me a simple way to reduce that annoyance and create a calmer environment.
My experience is that flies are not just irritating—they can also make a space feel unclean and distracting. Citronella candles help me feel more at ease during gatherings, especially on patios, balconies, or during evening meals. They add a pleasant scent while also helping me manage one of the most common outdoor pests.
I also like that citronella candles are easy to use and fit naturally into my routine. I do not need complicated tools or chemicals to get some relief from flies. For me, they are a practical, affordable, and convenient choice that helps improve comfort whenever I spend time outside.
My Buying Guides on Citronella Candles For Flies
Why I Use Citronella Candles for Flies
When I want to enjoy my outdoor space without constantly swatting at flies, I often turn to citronella candles. I like them because they are simple to use, create a pleasant atmosphere, and help reduce the number of flying insects around patios, decks, and picnic areas. They are not a perfect solution on their own, but in my experience, they work best as part of a larger fly-control setup.
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 strong citronella scent because they tend to perform better outdoors.
- Burn time: I check how long the candle lasts so I know whether it will cover the full evening.
- Size and coverage: Bigger candles usually give off more scent, which I find useful for larger areas.
- Container quality: I like sturdy tins, jars, or pots that can handle outdoor use and wind.
- Wax quality: In my experience, better wax burns more evenly and lasts longer.
Types of Citronella Candles I Consider
I usually see a few different styles, and each one has its advantages:
- Jar candles: These are convenient and often safer because the wax is contained.
- Tin candles: I like these for portability and casual outdoor use.
- Tabletop candles: These work well when I want a decorative option for dining areas.
- Large outdoor candles: I choose these when I need longer burn time and stronger scent coverage.
How I Decide on the Right Size
I match the candle size to the space I want to protect. For a small balcony or patio table, I usually go with a smaller candle or two. For a larger backyard gathering, I prefer several larger candles placed around the area. I’ve found that one candle rarely covers a big space by itself, so placement matters just as much as size.
Why Scent Strength Matters to Me
The main reason I buy citronella candles is the scent. I notice that stronger-smelling candles usually do a better job of discouraging flies. If the citronella fragrance is too faint, I don’t expect much protection. For me, a noticeable scent is a good sign that the candle may be more effective outdoors.
Safety Features I Always Check
Because I use these candles outside, I still think safety is important. I look for:
- Stable containers that won’t tip easily
- Wicks that burn evenly
- Clear instructions for safe use
- Heat-resistant materials
I also keep candles away from anything flammable and never leave them unattended.
How I Get Better Results from Citronella Candles
In my experience, citronella candles work best when I use them correctly:
- I light them before flies become a problem.
- I place them around the seating area, not just in one spot.
- I avoid using them in very windy conditions.
- I combine them with other fly-control methods, like cleaning up food and covering trash.
My Budget Tips
I don’t always choose the cheapest candle, because low price doesn’t always mean good performance. Instead, I compare burn time, size, and scent strength. Sometimes a slightly more expensive candle is a better value if it lasts longer and works more effectively.
Final Thoughts
When I buy citronella candles for flies, I focus on scent strength, burn time, size, and safety. I’ve learned that the best candle for me is the one that fits my space and lasts long enough for the occasion. While citronella candles won’t eliminate flies completely, I find them useful, affordable, and easy to add to my outdoor routine.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that citronella candles can be a simple and effective way to help reduce flies, especially in outdoor spaces. My best results come from using them alongside other fly-control habits, like keeping food covered and cleaning up attractants. While they may not eliminate flies completely, they can make a noticeable difference and create a more comfortable environment.
Author Profile
-
Hi, I'm Arora Holloway. If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that the little things often make the biggest difference. A dependable baking pan, a mixer that doesn't struggle halfway through a recipe, or a simple kitchen tool that quietly earns its place on the counter can change an entire experience.
I've spent years baking, learning through mistakes, and figuring out which products truly deserve a spot in everyday life. Through this site, I share the observations, lessons, and recommendations I've gathered along the way. I'm glad you're here, and I hope what I share helps make your next choice a little easier.
Latest entries
- June 8, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Best Phone Tripods for Content Creators: My Top Picks for Stability, Flexibility, and Easy Shooting
- June 8, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested Sugar Free Oreo Pudding and Here’s Why It’s the Best Guilt-Free Dessert
- June 8, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Stevie Nicks Black Top Hat Look: Why This Iconic Style Still Feels Timeless
- June 8, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Poolzilla Premium Pool Step Ladder: My Honest Review and Buying Guide