Just as soon as the weather is nice enough to spend evenings in your backyard or on your terrace, mosquitoes come out to taunt you. DEET and other chemical bug repellents simply aren’t worth it – in exchange for avoiding a few bug bites you’ll be exposing yourself to toxic chemicals and that horrible smell! You can make your own natural non-toxic mosquito repellent or take the easy way out with a bug repellent candle.

While citronella oil is commonly used in natural mosquito repelling candles, it does have a bit of a bad reputation. Some, like me, don’t like the strong scent. Others are concerned about its toxicity: While the EPA calls it safe, there have been reports of irritation when citronella oil is applied directly to the skin and if you have a pooch that could sink his teeth into the candle, you’ll want to avoid it. When dogs ingest citronella they can get a bellyache and diarrhea.

That’s why I was so excited when Hillhouse Naturals offered to send their Mosquito Repellent Candle, a natural citronella-free essential oil candle. It’s made from soy wax, so you don’t have to worry about all of the cancer-causing chemicals polluting your air. Two scents, either a blend of wild mint, juniper and tea tree or a mix eucalyptus, mint leaf and lemongrass will keep mosquitoes away.

The big four-wick candles will burn and banish bugs for about 50 hours. Unlike a lot of the citronella candles you find at the drugstore, this one is elegantly presented in a rustic concrete holder that doubles as a pretty centerpiece for your outdoor table.

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And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for: it’s time for some more of my top EcoEtsy picks!

Sustainability is just as important as style to the team at Jalex Studios. Their unique Mango Modern lamp is crafted from, yep, you guessed it, mango wood. Made from a recycled hard disk drive, even the subtle metal lining at the top of the lamp’s base is eco-friendly. These designers sure are resourceful.

I never thought a piece of pottery could so authentically capture the beauty of Appalachian Mountains, until I saw the Amber bowl. Its striking details are created from imprints of rose leaves from this beautiful region.
You would think after so many servings of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, I’d be sick of its scent. Call me a glutton but the irresistible aroma of the Pumpkin Pie soy candle is…well, irresistible. Plus, it comes in an upcycled glass tea cup, so you can enjoy steaming cups of chamomile after your candlelit evenings.

Keep it up, Etsy!

The post EcoEtsy: Our Latest Finds 'n Favorites appeared first on EcoSalon.