Cutter Citro Guard Candles Review: Are They Good?


While outdoor parties can be fun, swatting away pesky insects and flies gets annoying.

Cutter Citro Guard candles are effective under most conditions. You have to consider environmental factors, the size of your yard, and whether you have enough candles to truly repel the insects.

They work well enough to have been used for decades. In this article I’ll share the top four candles that can help your yard become insect-free.

Cutter Citro Guard Candle Review

All About the Parent Company: United Industries Corporation

Cutter Citro Guard is manufactured by Spectrum Brands, Inc. Spectrum distributes insect repellent products as a division of United Industries Corporation (UIC).

Beyond Cutter, this Saint Louis-based corporation owns REPEL, Liquid Fence, Black Flag, Garden Safe, and more pest defense lines.

UIC’s sustainability efforts include producing effective products that incorporate fewer active ingredients. They replace propellants and solvents with water when possible.

Beyond product development, UIC also monitors their packaging use and waste. This helps them to reuse materials when possible.They also reduce the amount of material previously used to package their products. 

In terms of efficient use of energy and lowering emissions, they meet quarterly to evaluate their environmental impact. Keeping their supply chain short, United Industries Corporation operates more efficiently and sets high sustainability standards for their suppliers as well.

In their manufacturing plant, they’ve made improvements to their air conditioning system, logistics software, and lighting. Employees are incentivised to reduce waste and energy use.

United Industries Corporation reduced energy use by 50% after they consolidated multiple facilities. Now that they have only one distribution center, they’ve cut diesel fuel usage by 300,000 gallons.

About Cutter

As part of home essentials company, Spectrum Brands, Cutter has been around for over fifty years to help families spend more time outdoors with less frustration. They sell both personal repellents and outdoor repellent products.

Personal products include:

Cutter Skinsations – Non-greasy pump spray or aerosol repellents

Cutter Backwoods – Various sweat-resistant aerosols and sprays for campers and hikers that repels incense more commonly found in the deep woods.

Cutter Alternative Solutions – Pump spray or aerosol; DEET-free lemon eucalyptus formula without greasiness or stickiness

Cutter Dry – Dry aerosol with 10% DEET

Cutter Sport – Sweat-resistant formula for more common outdoor sports

Cutter Unscented – Contains 10% DEET but formulated for the whole family

Cutter All Family – Non-greasy, oil-free wipes

Cutter BiteMD – Soft tip relief stick that reduces pain and itching associated with insect bites.

This brand also manufactures outdoor sprays and foggers to help families spend more time together in their backyards. Here are the four products in Cutter’s outdoor line:

  • Cutter Backyard Bug Control Spray Concentrate – Covers 5,000 sq. ft. of lawn for up to twelve weeks, guarding against ants, earwigs, crickets, and beetles.
  • Cutter Backyard Bug Control Outdoor Fogger – This is a contact spray for flying insects, gnats, and some types of ants.
  • Essentials Bug Control Spray Concentrate – An essential oil-based concentrate for yards, landscaping, and play areas for pets and children.
  • Essentials Outdoor Fogger – An essential oil-based contact spray.

Cutter seems to go to great lengths to make alternative protective products that won’t harm the environment, people, or pets.

Cutter Citro Guard Candles

And of course, they produce their citronella candles for outdoor use. Some customers use these candles in addition to the yard sprays and foggers mentioned previously.

This is optional, of course. You can effectively protect your backyard event from flying insects by properly spacing Citro Guard candles around the perimeter of your yard or an open deck or patio.

It’s best to avoid using this repellent method if there’s rain in the forecast. Another deterrent from use is strong winds. Firstly, the flames are unlikely to hold. Secondly, a breezy day can blow away your protective fragrance, causing insects to join your party.

Top 4 Cutter Citro Guard Candles

Citronella candles go hand-in-hand with outdoor parties. Even if you are enjoying a quiet night outside alone, you will want to light up a candle that repels bugs.  

Citronella candles are most effective when the air is still. If it’s breezy outdoors, you should not even bother lighting them because the scent of the citronella oil won’t linger long enough to repel bugs. On days or nights when there’s strong wind, you might be better off with a spray or lotion applied directly to the body.

Here is my list of the best Cutter Citro Guard candles I could find.

1.  Cutter Citro Guard Candle: Single Wick Green Container

Cutter Coastguard Citronella Candle 11 Ounces, Plastic, With Citronella Oil, Burns Up To 20 Hours
  • EFFECTIVE DECK & PATIO AREA REPELLENT: Repels mosquitoes and other flying insects.
  • MADE WITH REAL CITRONELLA OIL: 11-ounce candle burns for up to 20 hours.
  • PERIMETER OF PROTECTION: Use several Cutter CitroGuard Candles to maximize the repellent barrier.
  • GENTLE GLOW: Sturdy plastic candle available in blue, green, red, white, yellow, metallic copper and metallic silver to enliven any outdoor décor.
  • FOR OUTDOOR USE: Perfect for patio, porch, deck or campsite.

Starting with a single candle on this list, this one is an 11 oz (311g) candle in a green container. Honestly it’s not the most attractive option, but it burns for a total of 20 hours. 

This singular candle is ideal for those times when only one or two people are outside while sharing the same space. If this container works for you and there will be additional guests, I would order another candle for each set of two to three people. 

As long as the candle is within three feet of guests, insects will likely stay away. While you can use these candles on an open deck, they shouldn’t be used on an enclosed porch, even when outdoors.

Pros

  • Ideal for few people in one area
  • Effectively burns up to 20 hours
  • Made with real citronella oil

Cons

  • Not the most attractive container
  • May need more than one

== Check Price on Amazon ==

2. Cutter Citro Guard Candle: 20 oz. Copper Container

Cutter Citronella Candle, 1 pack, Copper
  • Effective deck & patio area repellent: Repels mosquitoes and other flying insects.
  • Made with real citronella oil: Triple-wick, 20-ounce candle burns for up to 40 hours.
  • Perimeter of protection: Use several Cutter Citro guard candles to maximize the repellent barrier.
  • Gentle glow: Wide, stable base prevents tipping.
  • For outdoor use: Perfect for patio, porch, deck or campsite.

This is the larger (and more attractive) cousin to the 11 oz. container above. At 20 oz. (566 g), this candle burns up to 40 hours – twice as long as the last one. There are three wicks, which helps create an even wax pool.

Flame cut out designs are showcased along the perimeter of this hammered copper container. It’s tapered towards the top, which enhances its appearance and keeps it stable as well. 

This sturdy base is especially useful if there are active children or pets outside with you. You won’t have to worry about the candle accidentally tipping over. Although the candle is made with 100% citronella oil, it only comprises 3% of the total ingredients.

Also available as a 6-pack.

Pros

  • Attractive container design
  • Burns up to 40 hours
  • Large, stable base
  • Real citronella oil

Cons

  • You may need more than one
  • Ineffective in strong winds

== Check Price on Amazon ==

3. Cutter Citro Guard Mercury Glass Candle: Set of 6

Cutter 96479 Citronella Candle, Case Pack of 6, Clear
  • EFFECTIVE DECK & PATIO AREA REPELLENT: Repels mosquitoes and other flying insects.
  • MADE WITH REAL CITRONELLA OIL: 11-ounce candle burns for up to 30 hours.
  • PERIMETER OF PROTECTION: Use several Cutter CitroGuard Candles to maximize the repellent barrier.
  • GENTLE GLOW: White candle comes in a decorative, mercury-glass holder and features a single wick.
  • FOR OUTDOOR USE: Perfect for patio, porch, deck or campsite.

For an even more refined look or formal outdoor event, you might prefer Cutter’s mercury glass Citro Guard candle. This is a set of six 11 oz. (311 g) candles that each burn for up to 30 hours. Having multiple candles allows you to form a stronger barrier around the perimeter of your outdoor space.

Although the container is smaller, the candle can burn up to 30 hours. This is ten hours longer than the first candle reviewed in the green container.

The inner glow from these candles is quite beautiful and can help create an inviting atmosphere when entertaining. It’s suggested that each container be spaced about 18 inches apart.

This is a single wick candle but because the container is smaller, the wax should still pool evenly.

Pros

  • Elegant design
  • Multiple candles included
  • Ideal for large outdoor parties
  • Long-lasting burn

Cons

  • May need more than 6 to cover a larger area

== Check Price on Amazon ==

4. Cutter Citro Guard Camping Candles: Pack of 6

Camping-Candles, pack of 6, silver
  • REPEL MOSQUITOES AND OTHER FLYING INSECTS: Create a bug barrier that protects you and your guests while you enjoy the outdoors — to maximize...
  • MADE WITH REAL CITRONELLA OIL: 17-ounce candle burns for up to 30 hours.
  • PERIMETER OF PROTECTION: Use several Cutter CitroGuard Candles to maximize the repellent barrier.
  • SILVER COLOR: Complement your outdoor environment and add a touch of personality with the classic silver color.
  • FOR OUTDOOR USE: Perfect for patio, porch, deck or campsite.

These are the iconic citronella candles that were first released long ago. That silver bucket has come a long way. But if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. When aesthetics is not a concern, as is often the case when camping, these candles function well.

Citro Guard’s camping candles actually look pretty rugged and sleek and they burn up to 30 hours each. Each container weighs 17 oz. (481.3 g). I would expect for them to burn longer but they’re single-wick candles in a larger container, so that might reduce the burn time.

It helps to light the candles about twenty to thirty minutes before everyone enters into the area. This gives them time to begin working. 

These buckets come in a variety of colors, like slate black, tan, yellow, and green. So if you do need to coordinate colors, that’s also possible with these camping candles.

Pros

  • Effectively repels insects
  • Made with real citronella oil
  • Ideal for camping
  • Multiple containers to set up a repellant perimeter

Cons

  • Single wick makes it more prone to tunneling

== Check Price on Amazon ==

Cutter Citro Guard Customer Opinions

In most cases, customers find that Citro Guard candles work extremely well. But there are a few instances where customers have regretted making this purchase.

What Customers Love About Cutter Citro Guard Candles

  • Particularly when multiple candles are used, they create a nice, calming ambiance in the yard or open porch area.
  • It’s amazing to some customers how flying insects seem to just disappear when lighting these candles.
  • Although the bucket was the most common design early on, the company has been offering more decorative containers, which pleases customers.
  • The silver bucket, especially, is even effective in rural areas where mosquitoes exist in abundance.
  • Citro Guard candles burn slowly and last for hours.
  • Many of the containers come with a cover. Covering the candles when not in use prevents dirt, debris, and other unwanted objects from accumulating inside the containers. This preventive measure also helps the candles burn more cleanly and without high flames that can cause soot.
  • Not only do they repel mosquitoes but flies tend not to come around either when Citro Guard candles are lit.

What Customers Dislike About Cutter Citro Guard Candles

The single-wick bucket candles can more easily tunnel because they’re in such a large container. It’s especially important to pay attention to the bucket containers and make sure that they fully pool before extinguishing the candle. 

Some customers feel that the candles attract flies instead of repel them. Certain conditions can cause citronella candles to be ineffective, you may want to read more about that in this post.

While the glass containers look nice, sometimes they can break during transit. If you really like this style, it might help to order more of them than you will need. Alternatively, you may want to visit a store to purchase the glass ones in person to avoid breakage.

Final Thoughts

Insect repellants are a necessity when spending extended periods of time outdoors. Cutter Citro Guard creates quality citronella candles in multiple decor options. 

If you are in need of an attractive and stable container, I would choose this candle in the decorative copper one.

For camping or a large backyard cookout, the traditional silver bucket functions well and can blend with most decor.

But always choose what you think might work best for you!

Grace Young

I love candles! I have personally tried over 100 brands of candles. The total burn time of these candles is over 5000 hours. I also talk about essential oil diffusers and reed diffusers. Essential oil diffusers and diffusers are also an important part of the scent in my home.

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