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As soon as the temperatures rise, balconies and terraces are used as extended living rooms. But this also brings uninvited guests to the table: the wasps. While not considered aggressive, wasps can be dangerous if they accidentally get into your mouth through food. There are a number of home remedies for defense, but not all of them are useful. Citronella is considered to be one of the possible repellents against wasps, which only brings relief when used correctly.
Citronella against wasps
Citronella is an essential oil that is not extracted from citrus fruits but from the lemongrass (Cymbopogon nardus) native to Asia. The oil is obtained by steam distillation, for which 100 kilograms of leaves are required for one liter of oil. The ingredients myrcene and citral are responsible for the scent of lemons.
The fresh scent is used in different ways such as in cosmetics and can also help against wasps.
notice: Only high-quality oils are really effective against insects. When buying, you should therefore pay attention to a high-quality product.
scented candles
Lemongrass extract can be processed in different ways. Candles or garden torches containing essential oils are very popular in summer. When burning, the scent is released into the environment, which disturbs the sensitive olfactory nerves of the insects. When buying the candles, you should pay attention to the following:
- Use of natural waxes (soy wax)
- no beeswax
- high quality essential oils
- long burning time
A wasp can become a problem during the day in particular - the animals are not active in the evening or at night. Normal candles are often not very atmospheric here at the table. An alternative are floating candles, which also create a nice atmosphere at the patio table during the day.
An aroma lamp can also be used as an alternative to the scented candle. In principle, any aroma lamp is suitable for this, but you should always dose essential oils in moderation. If necessary, the dosage can be increased at any time.
Targeted use of citronella against wasps
In order for the intense scent to really help, you not only need high-quality oils, but also the right position. At the table, not every guest may like the smell of lemon, which is why the fragrance dispensers, whether candles or fragrance lamps, should be placed at a distance. It is important that they actually form a barrier against the insects, otherwise the scent is ineffective.
You can position garden torches with the scent of lemon around the terrace, for example. With a candle arrangement, you should primarily pay attention to a secure footing. On the ground, they can quickly become a fire hazard for clothing. In this case, it is better to use lanterns.
risk of allergies
As with many essential oils, there is a risk of allergies with citronella. If you want to use the scent to drive away insects, you should therefore test beforehand whether you really tolerate citronella oil. A small scented candle can be used for this, for example, or one or two drops of the essential oil in an aroma lamp. If allergic reactions such as nausea or shortness of breath occur after a short time, this is probably due to an allergic reaction.
notice: Never use essential oils pure. The intensity could be too strong and lead to symptoms of intoxication such as nausea or vomiting.
Wasps offer alternatives
Citronella against wasps only helps to a limited extent, because when the animals are too hungry, wasps come to the table because they cannot find any suitable food sources in the area. Anyone who does not want to have uninvited guests at the table should offer an alternative in remote areas. These can be the following measures:
- set up water troughs
- Plant berry bushes and leave the fruits to the animals
- Leave fallen fruit on the ground