Citronella oil
Oils, citronella
Does citronella actually work?
Barely, and briefly. Citronella is the most famous botanical repellent and one of the weakest performers in controlled testing, lasting under 20 minutes of complete protection in the landmark NEJM study. It repels mosquitoes; it just stops doing so almost immediately.
When to choose it: Ambience. If you enjoy the scent on a patio evening, fine, but pair it with a real repellent if bites matter.
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
The evidence
Mosquito protection by concentration: Citronella oil
Complete protection time (dark = lower bound, light = upper bound) on the same 12 h scale used across the site. Modeled from published dose-response data in our research library.
- Effectiveness of citronella preparations in preventing mosquito bites: systematic review of controlled laboratory experimental studies2011ReviewWell-supported evidence
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 controlled laboratory (cage- and room-method) experiments comparing citronella-based repellents with controls against Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex mosquitoes.
- Efficacy of the botanical repellents geraniol, linalool, and citronella against mosquitoes2009Field TrialWell-supported evidence
Personal-protection tests of citronella, linalool, and geraniol delivered by commercial candles and continuous-release diffusers, indoors and outdoors.
- Comparative repellency of 38 essential oils against mosquito bites2005LabWell-supported evidence
Laboratory screen of 38 plant essential oils at 10%, 50%, and undiluted concentrations on human skin against Aedes aegypti, with the best performers retested against Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles dirus.
Common misconceptions
Myth: “Citronella candles protect a backyard.”
Reality: Controlled tests show candles reduce bites only marginally. Wind disperses the halo faster than the candle creates it.
Myth: “It's the proven classic.”
Reality: It's the familiar classic. In the NEJM complete-protection-time study, citronella products lasted 10–20 minutes versus 5 hours for 24% DEET.
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)
- Diptyque Lemongrass & Geranium Summer Body Spray
Concentration not listed · Essential oil positioned as mosquito-repellent
- Anti-Bug Shake & Spray
4% · Active repellent
- Bug Repellent Balm Tin
5% · Active repellent
- Golden Hour DEET-Free Mosquito Repellent
10.00% · Active repellent
- Bug Block Sunscreen and Insect Repellent (SPF)
4.2% · Active repellent
- No Natz Botanical Insect Repellent Spray
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- No Mosquitoz Botanical Insect Repellent Spray
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Buzz Away Insect Repellent
5% · Active repellent
- Babyganics Mosquito Repellent Lotion – Fragrance Free
0.95% · Active repellent
- California Baby Natural Bug Blend Bug Repellent Spray
5% · Active repellent
- Skeem Verbena Aura Citronella Body Spray
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Herbal Armor DEET-Free Natural Insect Repellent Pump Spray
10% · Active repellent
- The Bug Balm
0.03% · Active repellent
- Mosquito Repellent Wipes
0.2% · Active repellent
- Buzz Away Extreme Spray
0.98% · Active repellent
- Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Stick
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Greenerways Organic Bug Repellent
7.5% · Active repellent
- Para'Kito Mosquito Repellent Roll-On Gel
2.475% · Active repellent
- Erbaviva Buzz Spray
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Primally Pure Nature Spray
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Lo & Behold Naturals Lemon & Eucalyptus Bug Spray
0.53% · Active repellent
- H. Honeycup Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent Spray
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Maggie's Farm Natural Insect Repellent
0.95% · Active repellent
- Geraniol Bug Repellent Balm
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
Frequently asked questions
How long does citronella last on skin?
Fradin & Day 2002 measured about 14 minutes at 5% and 20 minutes at 10%, among the shortest complete-protection times of any active we track. Consumer products often use less than 10%.
Why is citronella in so many products?
It's cheap, smells like 'bug spray', and is exempt from EPA efficacy review as a minimum-risk ingredient. Familiarity, not evidence, keeps it on shelves.