Bug Repellent Jar Torches
We got eaten alive this week, not a fun way to start the summer. I have been meaning to plant a border garden around the yard with insect repelling plants, but that project is still a little ways from being done and we needed something right away.
I figured tiki torches would be good but I wasn't about to pay $5 a piece for cheap torches that don't really match the yard anyway. So I came up with this using things that are common around most houses. Admittedly most of the stuff in this instructable is nothing new; but I had never seen all of these components all together in one project so I thought I'd share it.
I figured tiki torches would be good but I wasn't about to pay $5 a piece for cheap torches that don't really match the yard anyway. So I came up with this using things that are common around most houses. Admittedly most of the stuff in this instructable is nothing new; but I had never seen all of these components all together in one project so I thought I'd share it.
Materials
There isn't much to this one, you might not even have to go to the store for this part list:
-Jars with lids; what size is up to you
-Food coloring; I used liquid but I think paste works too
-School glue (like elmers)
-Torch fuel
-Old shirt (or some other wick material)
-Clear coat; I like the cheap rattle can stuff in gloss or high gloss
Optional: Wire for making handles to hang from
-Jars with lids; what size is up to you
-Food coloring; I used liquid but I think paste works too
-School glue (like elmers)
-Torch fuel
-Old shirt (or some other wick material)
-Clear coat; I like the cheap rattle can stuff in gloss or high gloss
Optional: Wire for making handles to hang from
Color the Glass
Mix a few drops of food coloring with about 1/2 Tbsp of glue (there are tons of tutorials on painting glass with food coloring and glue all over the Internet, if you have a ratio that you like then go with that instead if you like). Brush it on the outside of the glass and let it dry. Mine took a long time (like 30 min) and it left a few streaks, but I just went over it again and it looked fine.
Add the Wick
While your glass is drying cut your old shirt into strips about 1/4 in wide by whatever length you want.
Poke holes in the centers of your lids using a nail, make sure the holes are big enough that the wicks can easily fit through but not so big that they will not stay put. You can see in the picture that I made my holes a little oblong, I did this by wiggling the nail side to side and I feel like it helps hold it in place with out restricting the upflow of the fuel.
Now just thread the wick through the hole so that there is about 1/4 in sticking out the top and it's ready to be put on the jar.
Poke holes in the centers of your lids using a nail, make sure the holes are big enough that the wicks can easily fit through but not so big that they will not stay put. You can see in the picture that I made my holes a little oblong, I did this by wiggling the nail side to side and I feel like it helps hold it in place with out restricting the upflow of the fuel.
Now just thread the wick through the hole so that there is about 1/4 in sticking out the top and it's ready to be put on the jar.
Gloss/Seal
Before putting a clear coat on the glass the color is not water proof; which isn't very helpful for something that's going to be outside a lot. The clear coat also makes the color look more realistic as well, it makes it less foggy and it evens out lighter and darker spots.
Lightly spray the clear coat onto the jars; too much will kind of wash the color off so be mindful of that.
Lightly spray the clear coat onto the jars; too much will kind of wash the color off so be mindful of that.
Put It All Together
When it's all dry add the fuel; I just bought mine at Walmart, but there are probably a few recipes floating around online for good bug repellency.
Screw the lid on and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the fuel time to soak to the top of the wick.
Once it's soaked to the top you can begin using it, or you can make a simple handle out of wire for hanging it somewhere. I didn't do that to all of them because I wanted to place a few on the picnic table.
Anyway, they work great and I really like how they ended up looking. I hope you like it too and thanks for reading!
Screw the lid on and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the fuel time to soak to the top of the wick.
Once it's soaked to the top you can begin using it, or you can make a simple handle out of wire for hanging it somewhere. I didn't do that to all of them because I wanted to place a few on the picnic table.
Anyway, they work great and I really like how they ended up looking. I hope you like it too and thanks for reading!