Geranium oil
Oils, geranium
Steam-distilled from Pelargonium and rich in geraniol and citronellol, so it behaves much like a diluted geraniol product. Badger and Natrapel build botanical sprays around it at roughly 1%.
How it works
Its repellency comes mainly from geraniol and citronellol, monoterpene alcohols that mask host odor and deter mosquitoes at short range. Effect and duration track the geraniol content, so concentration matters more than the geranium label.
Safety around dogs & cats
Rich in geraniol and citronellol, monoterpene alcohols that cats detoxify poorly. Do not apply geranium oil to a cat, and keep cats from grooming treated skin; dogs tolerate more but concentrated oil can still irritate skin and upset the stomach.
Moderate confidence. Ratings from ASPCA Animal Poison Control, the Pet Poison Helpline, and published veterinary toxicology. This is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is exposed, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
The evidence
A 1999 skin study tested geranium oil against Aedes and Anopheles mosquitoes and placed it in the middle of the botanical pack, ahead of cedarwood but short of the strongest oils. For how its main constituent performs on its own, see the geraniol page.
- Repellent activity of essential oils to the Lone Star tick, Amblyomma americanum2024LabLimited evidence
A screen of natural and synthetic molecules for repelling lone star tick nymphs, run across three bioassay formats to see how much the test method changes the ranking. Its standout was a synthetic, chrysanthemic acid, far more potent than DEET, alongside a panel of essential oils.
- Efficacy of Unregulated Minimum Risk Products to Kill and Repel Ticks2024ReviewDefinitive evidence
A CDC review in Emerging Infectious Diseases asking whether the unregulated minimum-risk botanical products sold to kill and repel ticks actually work, against EPA-registered products. Its verdict: efficacy is wide-ranging, often poor, and unpredictable, and real skin-repellency data for them barely existed.
- Repellency of essential oils to mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)1999LabWell-supported evidence
A controlled study measuring how long five essential oils, alone and in blends, keep mosquitoes from biting treated skin across a wide range of concentrations. It sets a clear hierarchy and shows these oils do nothing at low doses.
Products using it
Natrapel
Natrapel Essential Oil Insect Repellent
Cedarwood oil 1.50% · Clove oil 0.25%
Complete protection
Badger
Anti-Bug Shake & Spray
Castor oil 10% · Cedarwood oil 2%
Complete protection
All Terrain
Herbal Armor DEET-Free Natural Insect Repellent Pump Spray
Cedarwood oil 1.5% · Citronella oil 10%
Complete protection
Badger
Bug Repellent Balm Tin
Castor oil 10% · Cedarwood oil 2%
Complete protection
Not recommended
No proven mosquito protection
Kate McLeod
The Bug Balm
Cedarwood oil 0.12% · Citronella oil 0.03%
Complete protection
Not recommended
No proven mosquito protection
Lemongrass Farms
TREK Insect Repellent for Kids
Cedarwood oil 0.25% · Geranium oil 0.50%
Complete protection
Not recommended
No proven mosquito protection
Babyganics
Babyganics Mosquito Repellent Lotion – Fragrance Free
Cedarwood oil 0.70% · Citronella oil 0.95%
Complete protection
Not recommended
No proven mosquito protection
Lemongrass Farms
TREK Natural Insect Repellent
Cedarwood oil 0.75% · Geranium oil 1.30%
Complete protection
Not recommended
Formula not fully disclosed +1 more
Buzzie
Insect Repellent Spray
Cedarwood oil · Rosemary oil
Complete protection
Not recommended
Formula not fully disclosed +1 more
No Natz
No Natz Botanical Insect Repellent Spray
Citronella oil · Rosemary oil
Complete protection
Not recommended
Formula not fully disclosed +1 more
Heretic Parfum
The Entomologist Insect Repellent Spray
Cedarwood oil · Clove oil
Complete protection
Not recommended
Formula not fully disclosed +1 more
Skeeter Screen
Skeeter Screen 4 oz. Personal Spray
Cedarwood oil · Clove oil
Complete protection
Not recommended
Formula not fully disclosed +1 more
Meow Meow Tweet
Meow Meow Tweet Insect Repellent
Cedarwood oil · Geranium oil
Complete protection
Not recommended
Formula not fully disclosed +1 more
Cliganic
Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Stick
Castor oil · Cedarwood oil
Complete protection
Not recommended
Formula not fully disclosed +1 more
SallyeAnder
SallyeAnder No-Bite-Me Bug Repellent Cream
Cedarwood oil · Clove oil
Complete protection
Not recommended
Formula not fully disclosed +1 more
Primally Pure
Primally Pure Nature Spray
Cedarwood oil · Citronella oil
Complete protection
Not recommended
Potentially not EPA compliant
Para'Kito
Para'Kito Mosquito Repellent Roll-On Gel
Citronella oil 2.475% · Clove oil 0.21%
Complete protection
Not recommended
Potentially not EPA compliant +1 more
Lo & Behold Naturals
Lo & Behold Naturals Lemon & Eucalyptus Bug Spray
Citronella oil 0.53% · Rosemary oil 0.36%
Complete protection
Not recommended
Formula not fully disclosed +2 more
Diptyque
Diptyque Lemongrass & Geranium Summer Body Spray
Citronella oil · Geranium oil
Complete protection
Regulatory notes
EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) approved active ingredient; matched to SRS registry entry.
Safety notes
Rich in geraniol and citronellol, both declared fragrance allergens, which puts it on the more sensitizing end of essential oils; patch-test concentrated products.