Cedarwood oil
Oils, cedarwood
Does cedarwood oil repel bugs?
Against mosquitoes, the evidence is minimal. Against ticks, there's a genuine signal: cedrol, a cedarwood component, measurably repels ticks for short windows. Treat cedarwood products as brief, tick-leaning helpers, not mosquito protection.
When to choose it: A supporting ingredient in botanical blends. Don't rely on it solo for mosquitoes.
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
The evidence
- Bioactivity of cedarwood oil and cedrol against arthropod pests2014LabLimited evidence
Bioassays of CO2-extracted cedarwood oil from Juniperus virginiana for ant repellency and of its component cedrol for toxicity to black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) nymphs.
- Repellency of essential oils to mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)1999LabWell-supported evidence
Laboratory skin tests of geranium, cedarwood, clove, peppermint, and thyme oils (5-100%) and combinations against Aedes aegypti and Anopheles albimanus.
Common misconceptions
Myth: “Cedar chests repel everything, so cedar oil repels mosquitoes.”
Reality: Cedar's reputation comes from moths and fabric pests. The published mosquito data for cedarwood oil on skin is minimal; the tick data is the genuinely interesting part.
Regulatory notes
EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) approved active ingredient; matched to SRS registry entry.
The best products built on it
All products using it
- My July Woods Nature Spray Tick & Mosquito Repellent
Concentration not listed · Active repellent (not formally declared)
- The Superbloc Bloc & Chill Mosquito Repellent Spray
0.5% · Active repellent
- The Superbloc Bloc & Chill Mosquito Repellent Wipes
0.5% · Active repellent
- The Superbloc Bloc Off Mosquito Repellent Spray
0.5% · Active repellent
- Herbal Armor DEET-Free Natural Insect Repellent Pump Spray
1.5% · Active repellent
- Anti-Bug Shake & Spray
2% · Active repellent
- Bug Repellent Balm Tin
2% · Active repellent
- The Entomologist Insect Repellent Spray
Concentration not listed · Active repellent (botanical)
- Natrapel Essential Oil Insect Repellent
1.50% · Active repellent
- Insect Repellent Spray
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Bugvaya Cinnamon Insect Repellent
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Bugvaya Cinnamon Sensitive Skin Insect Repellent
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Bugvaya Lemongrass Insect Repellent
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Bugvaya Lemongrass Sensitive Skin Insect Repellent
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- No Mosquitoz Botanical Insect Repellent Spray
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Babyganics Mosquito Repellent Lotion – Fragrance Free
0.70% · Active repellent
- Buzz Away Insect Repellent
Concentration not listed · Essential oil (not a labeled active)
- California Baby Natural Bug Blend Bug Repellent Spray
0.5% · Active repellent
- Geraniol Bug Repellent Balm
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- The Bug Balm
0.12% · Active repellent
- Meow Meow Tweet Insect Repellent
Concentration not listed · Active repellent (not formally declared)
- Mosquito Repellent Balm Stick
2.0% · Active repellent
- Mosquito Repellent Wipes
1.4% · Active repellent
- Wondercide Lemongrass Insect Repellent for Family
4.2% · Active repellent
- Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Stick
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Greenerways Organic Bug Repellent
0.5% · Active repellent
- Erbaviva Buzz Spray
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Primally Pure Nature Spray
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- SallyeAnder No-Bite-Me Bug Repellent Cream
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Lovett Sundries Insect Repellent
1.17% · Active repellent
- Outside Balm
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Skeeter Screen 4 oz. Personal Spray
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
Frequently asked questions
Does cedarwood oil repel ticks?
Briefly, yes. Its cedrol component shows real but short tick repellency (under an hour) in EPA-recommended skin bioassays.