Enjoy Bug-Free Summer Nights With TikTok's DIY Mosquito Torch
Summer evenings are often best spent outdoors where you can enjoy family time on your back porch or chat with friends under a blanket of stars. But nothing dampers the mood more than being bit and harassed by hungry mosquitoes. These prehistoric pests can quickly turn a lovely summer night into an itchy disaster. But before you give up on enjoying the outdoors this summer and let these little bloodsuckers win, there's a simple way to take back your backyard: a DIY mosquito torch.
Mosquitoes aren't only a nuisance because of their relentless biting and itchy aftereffects, but they can also carry diseases, such as West Nile, dengue, and Zika, per the CDC. Although there are many ways you can prepare your property to get rid of mosquitos in your yard, like removing stagnant water and cleaning out gutters in the summertime, when it comes to fending off these bugs, there's nothing wrong with having a solution that's also stylish and complements your outdoor décor. TikToker @redeux_style shows us how.
DIY your own mosquito torch
To give mosquitoes a not-so-subtle hint they're unwanted at your summer evening get-together, you could DIY a planter mosquito torch like TikToker @redeux_style did for her backyard. For this project, all you require is a refillable table torch, pea gravel, and a small flower or plant pot.
In the TikTok, @redeux_style used Tiki torches filled with citronella oil. Although citronella has long been used as a mosquito repellent, you could also switch this out for peppermint, lavender, or rosemary oil, which are also effective in keeping mosquitoes at bay. After ensuring the torches are filled, put down a base layer of pea gravel in your gardening pot or other decorative container. The bottom layer of gravel should raise the torch high enough so the base of the wick is level with the lip of the pot.
Next, surround the torch with stones so it fills up the rest of the container and covers most of the lid of the torch. If you've purchased a table torch with a stopper, then let it dangle just outside so that it's still accessible when you need to snuff out the flame. If there's no cap, then you can pick up a snuffer from a thrift store or a small metal measuring cup from a dollar store. It should be noted that commenters said refilling the torch once it's inside the pot can prove a "messy" step.
How to customize the torch
The final result of this DIY mosquito torch shared by @redeux_style on TikTok is a distinctive, functional addition to any social area around a back deck or front porch. Because of the simple materials needed, you can fully customize your DIY torch to fit in with your own personal style. For starters, the vessel that you put your mosquito torch in can be any color, pattern, or material you like. As long as the holder is made up of non-flammable material, then you can let your imagination run wild. For a rustic country-style patio, empty mason jars are a great look and because of their transparency, you really accentuate your filler. Old ceramic mugs give a calming vibe, whereas beer steins would set the perfect tone for a backyard beer garden.
The filling you choose to use for each mosquito torch can be another way to show off the uniqueness of this DIY craft. You don't have to limit yourself to pea gravel. If you have a more nautical theme in mind or want to keep these torches by the poolside, then aquarium stones or even a collection of small seashells are the perfect filler to nest your torches in. Woodchips, pinecones, or acorns may have a naturalistic look, however, you would need to ensure the hot flame will not set them on fire. Natural or colored sand is also an inexpensive material that would really pop in a see-through container.