Lemongrass oil
Oils, lemongrass
Does lemongrass oil repel mosquitoes?
Yes. Lemongrass is among the stronger essential-oil repellents, with complete protection around an hour to ninety minutes at well-formulated concentrations. That's the top of the botanical class, and still a fraction of any synthetic.
When to choose it: The backbone active of better botanical sprays. Check for a disclosed concentration of 5%+ and plan hourly reapplication.
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
The evidence
Mosquito protection by concentration: Lemongrass 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.
- Plant-based insect repellents: a review of their efficacy, development and testing2011ReviewWell-supported evidence
Review of the efficacy, safety, and formulation of plant-based repellents including citronella, lemongrass, geraniol, peppermint, cedar, thyme, and clove.
- Formulation of an effective mosquito-repellent topical product from lemongrass oil2002LabWell-supported evidence
Evaluation of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) oil in ointment, cream, and liquid-paraffin bases for topical mosquito repellency against Aedes aegypti.
Common misconceptions
Myth: “Lemongrass is just citronella.”
Reality: They're related Cymbopogon species, but lemongrass oil's citral-dominant chemistry tests meaningfully better than classic citronella in comparative assays.
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
- BUGGINS Original Insect Repellent
0.06% · Active repellent
- Herbal Armor DEET-Free Natural Insect Repellent Pump Spray
1% · 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)
- Golden Hour DEET-Free Mosquito Repellent
1.00% · Active repellent
- Natrapel Essential Oil Insect Repellent – Pets & People
0.05% · Active repellent
- Insect Repellent Spray
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
- No Natz Botanical Insect Repellent Spray
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Babyganics Mosquito Repellent Lotion – Fragrance Free
0.25% · Active repellent
- Summary Botanical Bug Spray
0.07% · 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
- Skeem Verbena Aura Citronella Body Spray
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Geraniol Bug Repellent Balm
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Grandpa Gus Mosquito Repellent Spray
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- The Bug Balm
0.03% · Active repellent
- Meow Meow Tweet Insect Repellent
Concentration not listed · Active repellent (not formally declared)
- Mosquito Repellent Balm Stick
3.25% · Active repellent
- Mosquito Repellent Wipes
2.3% · Active repellent
- Wondercide Lemongrass Insect Repellent for Family
1.5% · Active repellent
- Bug Soother Insect Repellent
0.8% · Active repellent
- Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Stick
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Greenerways Organic Bug Repellent
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- EcoSMART Organic Insect 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
- Lo & Behold Naturals Lemon & Eucalyptus Bug Spray
0.89% · Active repellent
- H. Honeycup Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent Spray
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Bugvaya Cinnamon Insect Repellent
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Maggie's Farm Natural Insect Repellent
1.75% · Active repellent
Frequently asked questions
How long does lemongrass oil protect?
Around 1–1.5 hours at strong (10%) concentrations in lab testing, measured against an endpoint generous to botanicals, so treat the hour as the realistic ceiling.