Summer is right around the corner, bringing longer days and warm evenings. For many of us, it’s the beginning of camping and barbeque season, where we can enjoy our time outside amongst the birds and the bees, and our less welcome friend, the mosquito. With the first buzz in your ear or bite on our uncovered skin, most of us are soon on the hunt for defenses against these annoying pests. Table Of Contents
For those of us who would prefer not to cover ourselves head to toe in Deet mosquito repellent 24/7, we are on the lookout for alternative and effective ways to keep mosquitos at bay. One such alternative for mosquito control that people often use is Tiki Torches. If you aren’t sure what a Tiki Torch is, it is essentially a torch (tiki torch fuel and flame) mounted on a tall pole.
Tiki Torches originated in the mid-20th century in the United States. Tiki Torches provided lighting and a tropical ambiance to our backyards or camping areas. However, the smoke that rises from the torch also has added benefits, including keeping away mosquitos and other night critters. But what kind of Tiki Torch fuel and stand should you buy, and just how effective are they at keeping your campsite or backyard mosquito free? We will also answer what causes mosquitos and how to avoid them when camping.
How does a mosquito misting system work?
A misting system is a permanent solution for your mosquito population. The “brain” of the system is a tankless machine or a 55-gallon barrel installed on the side of your house (usually near the A/C unit.)
Then, we install a circuit of nozzles that run along your fence, the eaves of your house, and in the flowerbeds. Our customers say that their guests never notice the nozzles, but they definitely notice the lack of mosquitoes!
Two or three times a day on a timer the nozzles mist out an organic chemical solution that creates a preventative barrier between you and the mosquitoes.
Repellents simply confuse mosquitoes and hinder their ability to smell the carbon dioxide and lactic acids that attract them to you. A repellent spray, candle, or torch will help keep away mosquitoes but overall the results are unpredictable.
Insecticides kill on contact and repel them at the same time. Mosquito misting systems produce cumulative results to make sure you’re virtually bite-free.
Aside from being one of the most annoying creatures on planet earth, mosquitoes also carry many diseases, such as West Nile, Zika, and EEE.
Can you finally bust out those tiki torches you bought one 4th of July?
Tiki torches and citronella candles (the bowl version of a tiki torch) are often advertised as good mosquito repellents. After all, why would bugs want to come near a fire? I guess moths, but they’re not harmful enough to repel.
Anyways, tiki torches are sort of effective. Due to the release of citronella oil, which confuses mosquitoes, the presence of mosquitoes was reduced by 35.4% at 1 meter(1). Sounds impressive, until you realize that linalool candles almost double the number(1).
Past 1 meter, tiki torches start having almost no effect, being rendered useless past 2 meters(2). Once you hit 3 meters, you become a prize for wandering mosquitoes.
With so many better alternatives on the market, there’s no discernible reason to use tiki torches or citronella candles unless you want to have your yard decorated. Plus, you want mosquitoes to stay away from you while in the yard, right? Why force yourself to sit under a fire that’s constantly releasing smoke?
However, I can definitely recommend tiki torches for some late nights at the beach. About all they’re useful for, though.
What Kind of Tiki Torch is Most Effective To Repel Mosquitoes?
Tiki Torches will only fend off mosquitos around their immediate vicinity in all truthfulness. That means you would have to be sitting near the Tiki Torch fuel to be within the mosquito control zone. However, if you are still planning to use a Tiki Torch fuel to fend off mosquitos, your best bet is to use citronella tiki torch fuel-based Tiki Torches, as they are the most effective at providing mosquito control. 2 Pack Citronella Oil Tiki Torch By FAB BASEDThese aesthetic citronella tiki torch fuel by Fab Based are stainless steel for all weather conditions. Use them around the campsite but always check fire safety laws in your area. Most tiki torch fuels and mosquito coils will need regular replacement. But the Fab tiki torch fuels capacity allow for 7 hours of insect protection.
Citronella extract, originating from the Citronella plant, is a commonly explored option for mosquito repellent because of its various compounds that show repellency against mosquitos. Citronella candles and Tiki Torches are easily accessible and found at many home and garden or camping stores.
You could, of course, attempt to create a larger mosquito-free zone by using a complement of Tiki Torches to surround your camp areas. While the smoke from a normal Tiki Torch will also prevent mosquitos, the added benefit of the citronella may improve the effectiveness of the Tiki Torch at repelling mosquitos.
The most common cause for many mosquitos is ample mosquito breeding areas near your campsite. Mosquitos breed in standing water. This includes stagnant pools and puddles that remain after rain or a high local water table. That is also why mosquitos are often near lakes and slow-moving streams or rivers. Damp and warm conditions are the perfect breeding conditions for mosquito eggs to hatch and cause mosquito infestations. 100 Insect Repellent, Pump Spray By RepelWith over 10k positive reviews from satisfied Amazon customers, the Repel 4 ounce repellent pump spary is a backpack essential. Not only protecting you from mosquitoes and their viruses but covers you from flies, fleas, ticks, gnats and other creepy crawlies.
Other causes of mosquitos include tall grass or thick vegetation, which also provide shelter for mosquitos from the elements, such as wind. Whenever you walk through the grass or set up your tent in a grassy area, you notice more mosquitos than you would if you were to use a gravel tent site.
Mosquitos have also adapted senses that can detect certain smells, including carbon dioxide (which we exhale when we breathe) and sweat or body odor. This means that the larger your camping group is, the more likely you will attract a larger number of mosquitos. Other strong scents, such as perfumes, essential oil, body sprays, or hair sprays may also work in attracting mosquitoes.
FAQ
How effective are mosquito tiki torches?
Do tiki torches keep insects away?
How far apart should tiki torches be for mosquitoes?
How do you use tiki torches for mosquitoes?
