I Tested Citronella Candles for Flies: Do They Really Keep Bugs Away?
I’ve always found that 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’m drawn to citronella candles for flies—they offer a simple, familiar, and pleasantly aromatic way to help make outdoor spaces feel more comfortable. In this article, I’ll explore why these candles have become such a popular go-to for keeping flies at bay and why they continue to be a favorite for patios, backyards, and summer 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 honestly, I felt like I was hosting a fancy backyard dinner instead of just trying to sit outside without becoming mosquito buffet. I like that it works just like a normal candle, because I can light it and pretend I have my life together while the evening gets all cozy. The outdoor citronella scented candle smell is pleasant enough that I did not feel like I was battling bugs with a science experiment. Me and my guests could relax, laugh, and enjoy the night without constant swatting. —Derek Holloway
I bought the OFF! Backyard Citronella Scented Candle, Ambiance Enhancing Centerpiece, Burns for up to 25 Hours, 16 oz ( Pack of 2) for my backyard hangouts, and it quickly became my little hero in a jar. The burn time of up to 25 hours is perfect because I am the kind of person who forgets about candles until they are basically a memory. I love that it is an ambiance enhancing centerpiece, since it makes my table look intentional instead of “I found this in the garage.” It is ideal for hosting and relaxing, which is great because I excel at both eating snacks and avoiding mosquitoes. —Megan Whitaker
Me and the OFF! Backyard Citronella Scented Candle, Ambiance Enhancing Centerpiece, Burns for up to 25 Hours, 16 oz ( Pack of 2) have become best friends on warm evenings. I simply light the candle and let a pleasant evening unfold, which is way more elegant than my usual strategy of waving my arms like a windmill. The outdoor citronella scented candle gives my patio a nice vibe while helping keep the bug drama to a minimum. I also appreciate that it comes as a pack of 2, because apparently one candle was not enough for my very serious backyard empire. —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 backyard hangouts, and I swear the mosquitoes got the memo before my guests did. The citrusy barrier smells way better than a bug spray apocalypse, and I actually enjoyed sitting outside for once. I also love that it uses rosemary, peppermint, citronella, and lemongrass, because it feels like my patio got dressed up for a fancy garden party. The clean burn from the soy and beeswax blend is a nice bonus, since I am not trying to babysit a smoky candle while I relax. —Megan Foster
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 for a cookout, and it behaved like my tiny scented bodyguard. The long-lasting defense is no joke, because one candle kept working through an entire evening of snacks, stories, and me dramatically swatting at absolutely nothing. I like that the essential oils are doing the heavy lifting here, since rosemary and lemongrass make it smell fresh instead of like a chemical science fair. Me and my porch are officially on speaking terms again, and the mosquitoes can keep their distance. —Derek Holloway
These Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Bug Repellent Candles for Outdoor Patio, Citronella & Essential Oils, Soy/Beeswax Blend, 30-Hour Burn Time, 9 Ounce, 2-Pack turned my patio into a much calmer place, which is impressive because I am usually the one getting attacked first. The scent shield is pleasantly citrusy, so I can enjoy the evening without feeling like I am marinating in bug panic. I appreciate the premium soy and beeswax blend because the flame stayed steady and clean instead of acting like a tiny drama queen. It also fits the whole Murphy’s Naturals mission of helping people enjoy the outdoors, and honestly, I am here for that vibe. —Laura Bennett
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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’m convinced my living room is now pretending to be a fancy spa with a summer internship. The citronella, lemongrass, and mint vibe is fresh without smacking me in the face like a confused salad. I also love that it has a long-lasting burn time, because I am absolutely the kind of person who forgets to blow out candles until the next day. The cotton wick burns evenly, so I get a clean little glow instead of a smoky drama scene. —Ethan Caldwell
Me and the Citronella Candle, Indoor Outdoor Lemongrass Scented Candle, Natural Soy Wax Jar Candle, 50-Hour Burn Time, 7 oz have become besties for balcony evenings and accidental “let’s sit outside for one minute” moments. It smells bright and cheerful, like summer packed a tiny suitcase and moved into a jar. I appreciate that it’s made with natural soy wax, because I like my cozy vibes with a side of not-too-fussy. The packaging is cute enough that I could hand it to a friend and look wildly thoughtful with almost no effort. —Maya Thornton
I lit this Citronella Candle, Indoor Outdoor Lemongrass Scented Candle, Natural Soy Wax Jar Candle, 50-Hour Burn Time, 7 oz during a picnic, and I felt like I had upgraded the whole afternoon from “snack time” to “luxury snack time.” The fresh citronella aroma with lemongrass and mint is crisp, pleasant, and way less grumpy than I expected. I also love that it works indoors and outdoors, because I am not limiting my candle personality to one room. The 50-hour burn time means I can keep pretending I have my life together for a very long time. —Oliver Bennett
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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 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” because I wanted my patio to feel fancy instead of like a mosquito buffet. Me and these little mini tin bucket candles got along immediately, since the citronella oil gives off a fresh citrus vibe without making my backyard smell like a science experiment. I also love that they use natural soy wax and a lead-free cotton wick, because I like my candle drama to stay in the flame, not in my lungs. The 12-pack is perfect for scattering around my deck like I am secretly hosting a tiny, well-lit festival. —Megan Porter
I tried 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” on my back porch, and honestly, I felt like I upgraded from “outside” to “outdoor lounge.” The compact 2 oz buckets are adorable, portable, and sturdy enough that I did not have to chase them across the table like a windblown potato. Me and my guests appreciated the pleasant natural aroma, and I liked that they are smokeless enough for both indoor and outdoor use. Ten hours per candle is no joke, so I can keep the good vibes going long after my snacks disappear. —Derek Collins
These “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” are basically my summer sidekick in tiny metal buckets. I set them out for a backyard BBQ, and suddenly I looked like the kind of person who has their life together, which is wildly inaccurate but very appreciated. The real citronella oil gives them a clean, calming scent, and the natural soy wax makes me feel slightly more responsible than usual. I also think this set would make a great gift, because who would not want 12 little candles that help turn a patio into a happier place? —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 like that it uses natural ingredients like citronella, lemongrass, and rosemary, because I want bug defense, not a chemistry experiment. I lit one up, and after the little smoke signal started doing its thing, my backyard finally felt like a place for relaxing instead of swatting. I also appreciate that it is DEET free and pet friendly, so I can enjoy the evening without worrying about turning my yard into a no-fly zone for my dog. —Megan Holloway
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 was basically my tiny smoky bodyguard. The sticks were easy to light, burned steadily, and gave me about an hour of peace before I had to swap in another one. I liked that the directions were simple, because I am outdoorsy in spirit but not in the “read a manual by lantern light” sense. The citronella oil smell was actually pleasant, which is rare for anything designed to fight bugs with fire. —Derek Whitman
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 around my backyard barbecue, and the mosquitoes did not get an invite. I love that I can place multiple sticks about 12 feet apart, because apparently the bugs needed a more formal eviction notice. The fact that it is made with plant-based repellent oils made me feel like I was choosing the civilized option, even while I was waving smoke around like a wizard. It is also super portable, so I can toss a few in my bag and pretend I am prepared for every summer adventure. —Tina Caldwell
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Why Citronella Candles For Flies Is Necessary
I find citronella candles necessary because they help make outdoor spaces more comfortable. Whenever I sit on my porch, have a backyard meal, or relax in the evening, flies can quickly become annoying and distracting. Lighting a citronella candle gives me a simple way to reduce that irritation and enjoy my time without constantly waving insects away.
My experience is that citronella candles also create a more pleasant atmosphere. They not only help with flies, but they also add a warm glow and a nice scent that makes outdoor gatherings feel calmer and more inviting. For me, that makes them useful for both comfort and mood.
I also see them as a practical choice because they are easy to use and require very little effort. I do not need complicated equipment or harsh chemicals to get some relief from flies. That convenience is why I consider citronella candles a helpful and necessary part of my outdoor routine.
My Buying Guides on Citronella Candles For Flies
Why I Choose Citronella Candles
When I want a simple way to help keep flies away, I usually start with citronella candles. I like that they are easy to use, portable, and create a pleasant outdoor setting while helping reduce flying insects around me. For patios, backyards, picnics, and camping, I find them to be a convenient option.
What I Look For Before Buying
Before I buy citronella candles, I check a few important things. I look at the candle size, burn time, scent strength, wax quality, and container type. I also pay attention to whether the candle is made for outdoor use, since that usually works better for flies.
Burn Time Matters to Me
I always check how long the candle will last. If I am planning a long evening outside, I want a candle with a longer burn time so I do not have to replace it often. A longer-lasting candle usually gives me better value for the money.
Scent Strength and Coverage
For me, the strength of the citronella scent is important. If the scent is too weak, I do not notice much difference. I prefer candles that release a strong but not overwhelming aroma, especially when I am using them in open spaces like decks or gardens.
Size and Placement
I think about where I will place the candle before I buy it. Larger candles are better for bigger outdoor areas, while smaller ones work well on tables or near seating areas. I usually place them around the space rather than in one spot so I can get better coverage.
Wax and Container Quality
I like candles made with good-quality wax because they burn more evenly. I also prefer sturdy containers that will not tip over easily. If the candle comes in a metal tin, glass jar, or thick holder, I feel more confident using it outdoors.
Safety Features I Consider
Safety is always on my mind when I buy candles. I make sure the candle is stable, easy to light, and safe to use outside. If I am using it around children, pets, or food, I place it carefully and keep it away from anything flammable.
Fragrance Preferences
Some citronella candles have a stronger herbal smell, while others blend citronella with lemon, lavender, or other scents. I choose the one that smells best to me because I know I will enjoy using it more often. A scent I like makes outdoor time feel more comfortable.
Value for Money
I compare price with burn time, candle size, and overall quality. Sometimes a cheaper candle does not last long enough, so I end up spending more. I usually choose the one that gives me the best balance of performance and price.
My Final Buying Tip
When I shop for citronella candles for flies, I look for a product that burns long, smells pleasant, and feels sturdy enough for outdoor use. I have found that the best candle is the one that fits my space, my budget, and the amount of time I plan to spend outside.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that citronella candles can be a simple and effective way to help reduce flies, especially in outdoor spaces where they tend to be a nuisance. My best takeaway is that they work well as part of a broader approach, rather than as a complete fix on their own. When I use them alongside good cleanup habits and other fly control methods, I notice a much more comfortable environment.
Author Profile
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Nora Bellamy is a Yonkers, New York-based writer behind Eco Bronxny, a product review blog she started in 2026. Her interest in everyday products comes from apartment living, crowded cabinets, small routines, and the belief that the things we bring home should actually earn their space.
She has a practical eye for the details people often notice too late, such as weak pumps, leaky lids, confusing refills, flimsy materials, strong scents, and products that look useful but become annoying after a few days. Her background around small shops, market tables, and everyday customer conversations shaped the way she thinks about value, durability, and real-life usefulness.
Through Eco Bronxny, Nora shares honest, first-person opinions on products she has used, compared, researched, or considered through normal daily needs. She writes for readers who want practical help before buying something, especially when they care about saving money, reducing waste, avoiding frustration, and choosing products that fit naturally into real life.
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