If there’s one thing that can ruin a summer get-together, it’s insects. When the bugs start to swarm, rather than grabbing an outdoor repellent loaded with chemicals, make one of these easy, homemade torches. Not only are they pretty when lit, they also help keep the bugs at bay when you’re entertaining outside.

Be sure to keep them away from children, pets, and flammable objects!

Summer Luminaries

Directions:

1. Peel the lemons, limes, and orange. Set peels aside.
2. Place 2 sprigs of rosemary and some lavender into each jar.
3. Fill each jar ¾ full of water, and then add about 10 drops of citronella oil to the water. Swirl the jar gently to combine the ingredients.
4. Place a cinnamon stick and 1–2 peels from each fruit into each jar.
5. If necessary, add more water to bring the level of the liquid almost to the top. Gently place a tealight candle on top, and light when ready to use.

Wine Bottle Torch

Directions:

1. Wash the wine bottle thoroughly, and let it sit in the soapy water to remove the label.
2. Insert the coupling into the mouth of the bottle to see which end of the coupling has the tightest fit. Remove the coupling, and wrap it with thread seal tape until it is very tight when inserted into the bottle. Remove the wrapped coupling from the mouth of the bottle.
3. Fill the wine bottle ⅓ full with pea gravel, and then carefully add the torch fuel (which is extremely flammable) just to where the bottle narrows. Insert the wick into the wide end of the coupling until about ¼-inch of the wick is sticking out from the coupling.
4. Insert the wick into the bottle so that the coupling is fitted to the top of the bottle. Let the wick thoroughly absorb the fuel, and light the wick when ready to use.