Outdoor Floating Candle Bug Repellent

This outdoor floating candle bug repellent is not only a beautiful summer floating candle centerpiece it’s also quite effective at repelling insects!

June marks the beginning of summer on the farm. Baby ducks are swimming in the pond and we haven’t officially caught a fish yet this season. But as my husband puts it, we’ve had a lot of bites. But, strawberries are ready for picking and the corn seems to magically grow taller overnight. We’ve been spotting butterflies and picking lots of wildflowers on our walks to press for projects too.

The farm is perfect for spending lots of time outdoors and we’re beginning to end each day outside as the humidity burns off and the sun sets into the cornfields.

I recently spotted the first firefly this season when watering the plants in pots on the front porch. But experience has taught me if there are fireflies likely mosquitoes are twirling around in the evening sky too.

Unlike fireflies, mosquitoes can be a real pest. And my mother, daughter, and I seem to be a magnet for them. If you happened to be one too then you know just how relentless they can be.

So, I put my love for candles and farmhouse decor to use and created this outdoor floating candle bug repellent.

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How Does Bug Repellent Candles Work?

Bug repellent candles work by using essential oils from plants that naturally repel insects that don’t benefit them. You see, insects rely on smell and taste to locate their food, and plants send off signals that either attract or repel different insects.

So, when you use essential oils such as cedarwood, eucalyptus, or citronella, for example, in candles they cover up the smells that pests, such as mosquitoes love.

And floating candle centerpieces are always a hit for summertime! They add to the ambiance of a summer sunset and make every evening spent outdoors feel special.

The beauty of it is that an outdoor floating candle bug repellent is so easy to make!

If summer means spending evenings hanging outside long after dusk, then don’t let the gnats or mosquitoes get the best of you. Learn how to make a floating candle bug repellent instead.

Related To: How To Make A Cheese Mold Candle

If summer means spending long evenings hanging outside long after dusk, then don’t let the gnats or mosquitoes get the best of you. Make an outdoor floating candle bug repellent to keep pests at bay.

How To Make An Outdoor Floating Candle Bug Repellent

Make the most of summer evenings spent outdoors with an outdoor floating candle bug repellent. Not only are they mesmerizing to watch as the flame flickers and floats on the top of the water with fresh slices of orange and greens floating beneath, but this natural solution to repelling insects is quite effective.

And they couldn’t be easier to put together!

Here’s What You’ll Need:

1 orange

1 bunch of fresh greens

10 drops citronella essential oil

10 drops orange essential oil

1 tall cylinder vase

Floating Candle Bug Repellent Instructions:

Choose your container: Choose a clear container large enough to float at least one candle. This set of three tall cylinder vases is just like the one I use.
Next, prepare the decoration for the floating candle centerpiece: To make a floating candle bug repellent I recommend adding slices of fresh citrus fruit like the orange I use to help repel insects. You can also add a bunch of greens or sprigs of rosemary, sage, or thyme from your herb garden. Add these items to your floating candle vase first.
Add water and essential oils: After you’ve added your decoration to the vase fill it three-fourths full of warm water. Then add 10 drops of citronella essential oil and 10 drops of orange essential oil to the water.
Last, add your floating candles: For this step, you can either purchase insect-repelling floating candles such as these, make your own – I used this floating candle tutorial to make this centerpiece or use my floating candle hack if you have extra tea light candles.

That’s all it takes to make a floating candle centerpiece that repels bugs! Make one for your outdoor dining table, side tables, or anywhere else you often spend time outdoors after dark.

With more warmer months ahead it’s time to enjoy the summer evenings outdoors. And with this outdoor floating candle centerpiece that repels insects allows you to sit back and soak it all in.

How Long Will A Floating Candle Bug Repellent Last?

How long a floating candle centerpiece lasts depends on your candles. I tend to keep extra candles on hand. So, if I see a candle is about done, I just swap it out. The liquid in the centerpiece will stay full for quite some time. You should remove or replace the fruit and greens often. And refresh the water with essential oils as well.

Did you know you also help keep mosquitoes away from your summer wiener roasts by throwing fresh sage or rosemary onto the bonfire? Give it a try!

Floating Candle Bug Repellent