Mosquito-Repelling Paper Lanterns
When you are outdoors, like in your backyard or garden, you can enhance your experience with the use of paper lanterns. Unfortunately, if you live in a humid area, there will likely be a mosquito problem which detracts from your enjoyment of the outdoors. You can use bug spray, but it stinks and burns the skin and eyes.
You can use paper lanterns to repel mosquitoes. All you have to do is buy a mosquito repellent candle and place it in your flame-lit paper lantern. You can buy these candles in many different stores, and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes; they have different ranges of effectiveness, usually anywhere from five to fifteen feet.
When fighting against mosquitoes with paper lanterns, the lanterns must be set up in the proper arrangement in order for them to be effective. First, find out the range of the candles. If you cannot find this on the box or label, contact the manufacturer or ask the store you bought the candles from. Once you know the range, you can set the candles up so that there are no gaps between ranges. Ensure that there is a one foot overlap in the last foot of the ranges, because this area is weakest, so you need to double its protection.
After setting up the lanterns in a border around the area you want to protect (which is pretty easy to figure out), you are ready to enjoy the protected area. However, it is not always this easy, as there are some special situations to watch out for. Any chlorinated water will deter mosquitoes, since chlorine is a natural repellent of mosquitoes. So, you can use half the number of candles, thereby doubling the distance between them.
However, when you are trying to protect an area that has water that is not chlorinated, then you need to double the number of candles; cut the distance between the candles by half. The reason for this is that mosquitoes are attracted to water. In fact, they are super-attracted to water, for it is where they are born. Water is the breeding ground of mosquitoes. Because they are so attracted, you will need to double your protection with double the number of candles.
Paper lanterns can provide a safe source of light. They are wonderful additions to an outdoor family dinner, as they can provide you with a source of dim, peaceful light, all the while protecting you and your family against bugs.
Cody Scholberg, an expert on lighting fixtures, writes at the Paper Lanterns Guide about paper lanterns and their uses. Learn how to use cheap paper lanterns safely!
