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Do Citronella Candles Actually Work on Flies? 

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citronella anti-mosquito candle

Citronella candles can be a great addition to your patio, garden, and yard.

They repel mosquitos and other bugs, smell nice, and avoid some of the dangerous chemicals in other bug repellents. The downside, however, is that citronella candles only work effectively in certain conditions (like low wind). Thankfully, you have a lot of other options to deal with a fly and mosquito problem, including bug sprays, foggers, mosquito nets, and other essential oils.

Citronella candles used as mosquito repellant

Citronella candles are just regular candles that are made from the essential oil taken from citronella grass – a type of lemongrass

How Does a Citronella Candle Work?

The first thing to understand about citronella candles is that they’re powered by essential oils. It’s been used since the mid-20th century and is often favored as a more natural option than insect repellents containing harsher chemicals like DEET.

It’s obtained from a type of lemongrass or Cymbopogon. There are a few other essential oils that are used in this way as well, including oil of lemon eucalyptus, linalool, and geraniol. It’s important to note that of these three, citronella is the least effective. 

For all essential oil-based mosquito repellents, the mechanism at work is that the strong smell masks the scents that insects use to find you. Namely, the smell of carbon dioxide as we breathe out. So citronella does work to an extent, but it’s not really the best repellent.

In particular, the amount of citronella in most candles isn’t enough to really do much. You’ll have slightly better success rubbing diluted citronella oil directly on your skin, just remember that it evaporates in about an hour and will need to be replenished more often. 

Do Citronella Candles Work for Flies? 

Unfortunately, however, citronella essential oil is not as effective at keeping mosquitos and flies away as some other options. In fact, the American Mosquito Control Association found that citronella is only about 50% effective against mosquitoes, flies, and ticks.

The effectiveness drops even farther if you get much more than three feet from the candles. So if you’re sitting for an outdoor meal or close to the candles, they may do the job, but they’re going to be useless if you’re trying to keep the whole yard free of mosquitoes and flies. 

It depends a bit as well on the number of mosquitoes, flies, or gnats you’re dealing with. For a small number of bugs, citronella may work, but it’s important to note that studies have only been done on citronella’s effectiveness for repelling mosquitoes. The success rate with flies is even lower. 

The Plus Side of Citronella 

One reason that so many people still use citronella candles and other citronella products is that it’s a natural bug repellent. So, you won’t have to worry about the chemicals involved as with most other repellents. Other repellents use insecticides like DEET to repel and kill mosquitoes, gnats, and other flying pests.

These pesticides can be dangerous for humans in high doses and can cause problems for pollinators if they become too concentrated in one area. Plus it just smells better than bug spray! One other chemical to look out for is metofluthrin, commonly used in anti-mosquito foggers.

This can be an effective method of getting rid of mosquitoes and biting flies, but it should be used carefully because the Environmental Protection Agency rates it as a potential carcinogen. Foggers can also be lackluster in effect. If you’re not standing directly in the fog, they won’t do much good. 

Other Options 

So what should you do if you need an effective fly and mosquito repeller but don’t want to use DEET or another potentially dangerous chemical? One slightly newer option is bug sprays and lotions that use picaridin. Picaridin, like DEET, is a synthetic chemical design to repel insects.

But it’s a true repellent, not an insecticide, so it doesn’t actually kill insects. This is important for maintaining environmental balance and it also seems to be associated with fewer side effects for humans. So picaridin can be better than DEET if you do decide to go synthetic.

mosquito on sunset and silhouette background.

Internationally, malaria is responsible for approximately 1-3 million deaths per year.

Why is Mosquito and Bug Repellent Important?

Before we go on, let’s look at why it’s so important to prevent mosquito bites and fly bites. Mosquitoes can be especially dangerous, carrying diseases such as west nile, zika, and yellow fever. It’s important to note that in high-risk areas, DEET is recommended by health professionals.

So if you’re in a location with high rates of malaria, west nile, or similar diseases, make sure to use bug spray with DEET. Biting flies, and especially sand flies, can spread debilitating diseases as well. And, of course, ticks carry Lyme disease, which can cause lifelong health issues.

So it’s not just a matter of avoiding a little annoyance! Insect management is serious business and in areas with a large bug population, citronella probably won’t cut it. 

DIY Citronella Candles 

Still, citronella can be good for an area without a high risk of mosquito and fly-borne diseases. It smells good, isn’t very irritating, and you can actually make a citronella candle yourself! In fact, this can be a better option than store-bought citronella as the candles available at retailers usually don’t have enough citronella oil in them to be effective. 

To make your own, just melt wax over a double-boiler, add your essential oils (you might add additional oils for smell), and pour into a candle mold. You can also just rub diluted citronella oil right on your skin, and this can sometimes be more effective than making it into a candle. Still, if you want to try it out, skip to the end for a quick video how-to. 

Final Verdict

While citronella does smell nice, just about any other mosquito repellent is going to work better. Even other essential oils like linalool and lemon eucalyptus oil are more powerful. For the most buggy areas though, essential oils just won’t cut it.

If you’re in an area with malaria or other dangerous diseases that can be transmitted by flies and mosquitoes, don’t take any chances. Go with DEET insect repellent, or, if you’re able to find it, try out picaridin, which is shown to be just as effective without as many potential side effects. 

 

Bonus tip: Here’s how to make your own citronella candle!

 

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Living Life on the Edge: Embracing Adrenaline-Fueled Moments

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Life is an adventure, a journey filled with countless opportunities for thrill and excitement. For some, the idea of living life on the edge, embracing adrenaline-fueled moments, is an exhilarating concept that fuels their passion for adventure. This article delves into the world of adrenaline-chasing, highlighting the benefits and experiences of such a lifestyle.

Kitesurfing: Riding the waves of excitement

The first step to living on the edge is stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new. Kitesurfing, a water sport combining wakeboarding, windsurfing, and paragliding elements, is an excellent example of an adrenaline-fueled activity. The activity entails utilizing a sizable maneuverable kite to capture the force of the wind, enabling the rider to traverse the water on a board specifically designed for kiteboarding. There is nothing quite like the exhilaration of soaring through the air, feeling the breeze caress your cheeks, and mastering the art of maneuvering a kite. Kitesurfing is a remarkable adventure that captures the spirit of embracing excitement and pushing boundaries.

The psychological thrill

In addition to the excitement of the tangible experience, embracing a daring lifestyle offers a mental rush that is just as stimulating. Engaging in these activities provides an exhilarating experience that stimulates the production of endorphins, the body’s innate pain relievers. This results in a profound sense of joy and an overwhelming feeling of invulnerability. The thrill of this frenzy can become habit-forming, compelling thrill-seekers to pursue fresh and increasingly demanding adventures consistently. 

The benefits of embracing the edge

Embracing a daring lifestyle goes beyond pursuing excitement; it presents many advantages. Participating in thrilling adventures can enhance physical well-being, as numerous pursuits demand robustness, stamina, and skill. Furthermore, they have the potential to enhance one’s emotional well-being by offering a means to alleviate tension and unease. Engaging in these activities demands concentration, which can effectively alleviate mental clutter, resulting in a serene state once the surge of excitement diminishes.

The balance of risk and reward

While living life on the edge can be exhilarating, it’s important to remember the balance of risk and reward. Adrenaline-fueled activities often involve a certain level of risk, and it’s essential to approach them with a healthy respect for safety. Proper training, equipment, and precautions can help mitigate these risks, allowing you to enjoy the thrill without unnecessary danger. 

Always research your activities and location. This understanding can help you decide if the risk is acceptable and if you have the skills and equipment. Check and maintain your gear, and never sacrifice safety. Finally, embracing adventure with a responsible and safety-conscious mentality lets you enjoy high-risk activities without risking injury.

Living life on the edge embracing adrenaline-fueled moments, is a lifestyle choice that offers a unique blend of thrill, excitement, and personal growth. Whether kitesurfing across the waves, scaling a mountain, or skydiving from a plane, these activities provide an escape from the mundane, a chance to challenge oneself, and an opportunity to experience life at its most vibrant. So, step out of your comfort zone, embrace the adrenaline, and start living on the edge. After all, life is not meant to be lived in the slow lane; rather, it’s about experiencing every thrilling moment it offers.

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Renewable Energy Farms That Make Beautiful Hiking Trails

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Wind farms and solar panels are not just alternative means to get our natural resources. They have now combined with another industry and are making some unexpected news. 

The tourism industry has marked renewable energy farms as hiking trails, and hikers are here for it. You can read more about renewable energy sites. Although you might not think of hiking on a wind farm as beautiful as hiking along a famous mountain trail, you might just be in for a surprise. 

Let’s discuss the benefits that renewable energy farms have as hiking trails. 

Why are Renewable Energy Farms Important? 

Renewable energy farms are important for the future of civilization. These farms provide an alternative to our natural resources, such as wind and energy. 

The most important benefit of renewable energy is that it doesn’t produce any greenhouse emissions and reduces the air pollution other traditional processes create when providing natural resources. 

These farms also allow for the creation of the country’s own resources without having to import natural resources from another country and save their limited natural resources. 

Here are some of the reasons why energy farms are important: 

  • Allows for sustainable rural development 

This will allow landowners to make an extra income by generating energy. 

  • Test new technologies 

Providing the opportunity to test technologies to find new ways to create renewable energy. 

  • Improving the effect of climate change 

Climate change has left the environment filled with toxic pollutants, which has led people to become sick and breathe in harmful air. 

Renewable energy can change this by lessening the number of pollutants that are released into the atmosphere and providing much safer, cleaner, breathable air. 

  • This leads to job creation 

Job creation within the renewable energy farms industry is plentiful as there is a need for skilled workers such as construction, maintenance and manufacturing to build the necessary infrastructure that is needed to generate these wind and solar farms. 

The Benefits of Renewable Energy Farms As Hiking Trails 

Renewable energy farms have many benefits for both the environment and people who love spending their time outdoors. 

Embracing the Use of Green Technology 

Since wind farms and solar plants are located in areas that are unpopulated, they make for great hiking trails. 

By visiting these sites, people get to experience green technology, and by integrating them into recreational spaces, people can visit these sites and embrace green technology by seeing how they work and the positive effects that it has on the environment. 

The more people embrace the shift to green technology, the easier it will be to use it. 

Energy Farms Offer A Unique Experience For Visitors 

Visiting energy farms means you will have a unique experience while there. You will get to see how these large devices work and how they replace the basic resources needed to survive. 

Tours can give visitors more information on the background of the construction of devices, their environmental impact and why it is important for us to switch to sustainable energy resources. 

Visitors Get to Enjoy Natural Beauty 

The sites for these renewable energy farms are often located in areas that are surrounded by natural beauty, such as large landscapes. 

Natural pathways can be used as hiking trails without the need for carving out new roads and damaging the ecosystem. 

Visitors can even discover native plant life and explore the natural wonders that are located at these energy farms, as they are often placed where no infrastructure has been built on the property before. 

Providing Health and Wellness Benefits 

Hiking has many health benefits, such as reducing stress, improving fitness, and helping aid mental well-being. 

Energy Farms have Community Benefits and Increase the Economy 

These hiking trails can help boost economic sales, bringing tourists to the community. This will give the local people the opportunity to expand their businesses. 

This can also help increase employment within the community as these sites will be visited frequently and lead to new business openings to cater to tourists. 

Conclusion

Renewable energy farms greatly benefit both the economy and the people who want to spend their time on them. These farms are especially important for transitioning from natural resources to newer energy resource power plants. 

From learning how to embrace green technology to getting health and wellness benefits to enjoying nature’s natural beauty and finding job opportunities within the market. 

Spending time on these renewable energy farms can be educational and recreational for anyone who visits them. To find more renewable energy farm hiking trails, you can visit https://outsidebozeman.com

 

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Top Recommendations for RV Window Maintenance

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Much like other sections of your RV, the windows sometimes need a bit of maintenance. It is essential to clean off dirt and insect smudges and also make sure they are adequately sealed to avoid leaks and water harm.

If you have a broken RV window, then you may want to consult Van Isle Glass. However, if you wish to know more about simple measures to ensure your RV windows stay spotless and secure, you are in the right spot! Continue reading below.

Polish Your Windshield Using Ultra-Fine #0000 Steel Wool

Numerous RV enthusiasts have praised the use of the finest grade of steel wool #0000 for removing stubborn bugs and water marks from their windshields. Before proceeding, first test the #0000 steel wool on a small portion of your windshield. Apply it with light, circular motions. Sweep away any remaining steel wool bits with a microfiber towel. Next, spritz the surface with a residue-free glass cleaner and wipe it down with a separate cloth.

Steel wool is also great when used with a spray lubricant for cleaning tires, maintaining grills, starting campfires, and repelling mice. A gentler alternative is cleansing dish pads. These pads are versatile, suitable for cleaning various materials such as wood, porcelain, stainless steel, chrome, painted areas, and glass.

Apply a Sealant to Avoid Leaks

Silicone sealant is effective in stopping leaks in areas like your windshield, RV windows, sunroof, and vents. It penetrates tiny gaps, creating a robust waterproof barrier. Ensure the surfaces are clean before application and do not have old caulk, dirt, oil, and other residues.

Furthermore, clear away any standing water on windows to prevent hard water stains. Make sure the inside of your windows stay dry to avoid condensation and mold build-up. If there is significant condensation on your windows, consider getting a small dehumidifier.

Use Tools to Access Difficult Regions

Using cleaners with long handles can prevent you from straining to clean those distant parts of your windshield. Windshield cleaning tools often feature a lengthy, swiveling triangular head that is ideal for getting into corners and spots difficult to access manually.

Opt for a Residue-Free Glass Cleaner

A high-quality glass cleaner will maintain the clarity of your windows and windshield. A great glass cleaner performs well on both standard and tinted windows, making sure to remove streaks or leftover residue. Another option is a natural concoction of half vinegar and half water, with a touch of lemon essential oil.

Steer Clear of Cleaning RV Windows in Bright Sunlight

A sunny afternoon may feel perfect for washing your RV windows, but the warmth can speed up the drying of the cleaner, resulting in streaks or spots. It is advisable to tackle your RV window cleaning during early morning, late evening, or when stationed in a shaded area for the best outcome.

Endnote

Keeping your RV windows clean and clear is not only about aesthetics, but is also vital for safety. The subtleties in cleaning, like steering clear of the sun and using the appropriate products, play a key role. Adhering to these guidelines will help you maintain a pristine view during your various journeys.

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