It turns out we've all been putting up with the smell of citronella candles for nothing. A new study has found that "anti-mossie" candles are ineffective at warding off the pest. In short, this natural "repellent" doesn't seem to have any effect on one of the most notorious disease-spreading blood suckers on Earth.

First one, then another. Bite! Slap! Bite! Before you know it, mosquitoes are descending from the skies to disrupt your backyard summer soiree. How can such a tiny, fragile insect cause so much pain, suffering and annoyance?

Nobody likes mosquitoes, but the mosquitoes sure do love us. Spraying your skin with DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus keeps them at bay, but stores are full of wristbands, candles, clothing, and other products that claim to repel bugs without those nasty "chemicals." Some of them might help, but none are reliable.