How to make a citronella torch!

Make this adorable citronella torch lamp/lamp to keep mosquitoes away from your family! 

If you’ve ever lived or visited the sunshine state in the summer you know what misery feels like. The summer heat is brutal in Florida. The afternoon thunderstorms cool everything off a bit but come with a nasty side effect. Mosquitos! 

Related: 7 Natural Ways to Repel Mosquitoes

The sun beats down on you while the humidity drowns you in your own sweat. Then the mosquitoes come to feast.

Needless to say, we tend to start our barbecues late in the day which is the worst time to do it. Thanks to daylight savings time, the sun still beams down until nearly 9 pm in the summer!

The biggest drawback — Florida is teeming with mosquitoes! And the news is teeming with scary illnesses spread by mosquitoes.

Here are 4 DIY hacks for dealing with bugs so that everyone stays comfortable — and longer! — at your summer get-togethers.

4 Tips for Late-Night Summer Parties

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#1 Scare away mosquitoes with this cute DIY citronella torch

I love this adorable upcycled “DIY Tiki Torch”!

It takes minutes to make and everyone will love it!

Materials:

• bottle(I got this one at a thrift store for under a buck!)
• Tiki torch oil(citronella scent)
• Torch replacement wicks
• 1/2 x 3/8 brass coupling
• plumber tape

Directions:

Insert the wick into the brass coupling. Make sure only 1/4 inch is showing past the coupling. You don’t want the wick too far up or it will be dangerous.

Line it up to the bottle and trim wick.

Wrap plumber’s tape around the part of the coupling that will go into the bottle. Keep wrapping tape until the coupling fits snugly in the bottle.

Pour citronella oil into the bottle.

Insert the wick.

Allow to soak up the oil.

Light it and enjoy your evening!

(hint: I use a pint size mason jar to extinguish the flame. Simply place the jar over the flame and the fire is out!)

This hack lets your party continue on!

#2 Make your own DIY Outdoor Mosquito Repelling Spray 

I like to make a bug spray that smells good and doesn’t have harmful chemicals in it. It works hand in hand with the DIY citronella torches!

Materials:

• 2oz amber spray bottle
• distilled water
• witch hazel
• 20 drops Purify essential oil
• 20 drops of Citronella essential oil

Directions:

Pour distilled water into the spray bottle until it is halfway full.

Add witch hazel until you reach an inch from the top of the bottle.

Add your essential oils.

Shake vigorously. Apply over your skin! I like to spray it into my hands and rub it on the kids.

#3 Grab a bunch of fresh rosemary and throw it into the fire pit or barbecue grill! 

The smoke from the burning rosemary repels mosquitoes!

#4 Make itch relief wipes

Just in case all these precautions aren’t enough to protect one of your sweet-tasting guests from a mosquito bite, having these easy-to-make itch-relief wipes on hand will take the sting out of the bite. These tips help us enjoy spending time together late into the evening.

But don’t forget to be prepared for long-lasting summer parties! Stock up on Charmin and you won’t have to run to the store. Summer is the time for relaxing and kicking back with your friends and family.

The Charmin Ultra Mega Roll lasts longer. Charmin’s Roto-Rooter Clog Free Guarantee ensures that your evening will remain relaxing! Who wants to deal with clogged toilets when you have a houseful of guests?

This post is sponsored by Charmin but all opinions expressed are my own.