With the summer temperatures, the desire to enjoy your garden, terrace or balcony continues until late at night. But the arrival of flying insects such as wasps at lunchtime or mosquitoes in the early evening can spoil the party. You can fend off these critters with several natural tips that are safe for biodiversity. Light one: the citronella candle. Here’s how to make your own. The opportunity to share a fun and creative activity with young and old.
Lemongrass, a natural repellent
Lemongrass is one of the most important natural ingredients for repelling wasps and mosquitoes. To maintain its repellent properties, you can use it in essential oils or burn it with a candle. The smoke that accompanies the scent of lemongrass permanently keeps away the flying insects that you do not want to invite to your table or during a late observation of the stars in the garden.
Make your own candle
To make your own natural candle, here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- 1 glass jar (recycled jam jar, old candle jar, etc.)
- 200 g vegetable soy wax
- Lemongrass essential oil
- A candle wick kit (string + base)
- 1 clothespin
- 2 chopsticks
- 1 saucepan
- 1 water bath container
- A pair of scissors
- 1 wooden spatula
The steps to follow
Gather all your utensils after you wash and dry them well.
Melt your vegetable wax in a double boiler, stirring well until completely melted. Cut your rope to the correct length. It should stick out of your glass container. Then lightly dip the string in the wax and let it dry for 1 to 2 minutes until it hardens. Place a little wax in the middle, at the bottom of your glass jar, and tie your string there. Then hold it vertically with a clothespin and two chopsticks.
Add twenty drops of lemongrass essential oil to your wax. Mix everything well and pour your liquid into the glass jar. Let cool: the wax will solidify again. If your candle wick is too long, you can shorten it. That’s it, you just need to light your candle and enjoy your sweet afternoons or evenings outdoors.