Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil (Mentha piperita) is a menthol-and-menthone oil found in many botanical sprays. It repels mosquitoes at high strength in the lab but only briefly, and it is one of the essential oils most likely to harm cats.
How it works
Menthol and menthone, peppermint's main constituents, mask host odors and deter mosquitoes at close range and give the oil its cooling feel. The effect is strong but short, fading as the volatile oil evaporates.
Safety around dogs & cats
The ASPCA lists peppermint oil as toxic to dogs and cats. Menthol and traces of pulegone cause drooling, vomiting, and lethargy, with cats the more sensitive. Do not apply it to a pet, and keep cats from licking treated skin or grooming a misted coat.
High 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 2000 laboratory study reported real skin repellency against several mosquito species from concentrated peppermint oil, and the 1999 essential-oil screen and 2011 review place it mid-pack among botanicals. CDC's 2024 tick review records only brief protection. Products use it well below those tested strengths.
- Toxicoses from essential oils in animalsReview
The Merck Veterinary Manual's reference on essential-oil poisoning in animals, explaining how pets are exposed (skin contact, grooming, inhalation) and why cats are the most vulnerable species.
- 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.
- Plant-based insect repellents: a review of their efficacy, development and testing2011ReviewWell-supported evidence
A widely cited review of plant-based repellents arguing that demand for natural alternatives to DEET has outrun the evidence. It concludes most essential oils are too volatile to last, but that PMD and smart formulation can reach DEET-like duration.
- Larvicidal and mosquito repellent action of peppermint (Mentha piperita) oil2000LabLimited evidence
A study of peppermint oil in two roles: killing mosquito larvae in water and repelling adult mosquitoes on skin. It is often cited as evidence peppermint has real mosquito activity, not just a pleasant smell.
- 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
Quantum Health
Buzz Away Extreme Spray
Citronella oil 0.98% · Clove oil 0.40%
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
Quantum Health
Buzz Away Insect Repellent
Citronella oil 5%
Complete protection
Murphy's Naturals
Mosquito Repellent Balm Stick
Castor oil 10.5% · Cedarwood oil 2.0%
Complete protection
Not recommended
Potentially not EPA compliant
The Superbloc
The Superbloc Bloc & Chill Mosquito Repellent Spray
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus 1% · Cedarwood oil 0.5%
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
Summary
Summary Botanical Bug Spray
Lemongrass oil 0.07% · Peppermint oil 0.02%
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
Venture Wipes
Venture Wipes Natural Mosquito Repellent Wipes
Citronella oil 0.5% · Rosemary oil 0.05%
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
Potentially not EPA compliant
The Superbloc
The Superbloc Bloc & Chill Mosquito Repellent Wipes
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus 1% · Cedarwood oil 0.5%
Complete protection
Not recommended
No proven mosquito protection
BUGGINS
BUGGINS Original Insect Repellent
Clove oil 0.05% · Lemongrass oil 0.06%
Complete protection
Not recommended
No proven mosquito protection
Murphy's Naturals
Mosquito Repellent Wipes
Cedarwood oil 1.4% · Citronella oil 0.2%
Complete protection
Not recommended
No demonstrated efficacy
AJOQFKTD
Mosquito Repellent Balls (8 Pack)
Citronella oil 45% · Peppermint oil 24%
Coverage & effectiveness
Not recommended
Formula not fully disclosed +1 more
Quitch
Geraniol Bug Repellent Balm
Castor oil · Cedarwood oil
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
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
Bugvaya
Bugvaya Lemongrass Insect Repellent
Cedarwood oil · Clove oil
Complete protection
Not recommended
Formula not fully disclosed +1 more
Sidebalm
Outside Balm
Cedarwood oil · Clove oil
Complete protection
Not recommended
Formula not fully disclosed +1 more
Bugvaya
Bugvaya Cinnamon Sensitive Skin Insect Repellent
Cedarwood oil · Clove oil
Complete protection
Not recommended
Formula not fully disclosed +1 more
Bugvaya
Bugvaya Lemongrass Sensitive Skin Insect Repellent
Cedarwood oil · Clove oil
Complete protection
Not recommended
Formula not fully disclosed +1 more
Bugvaya
Bugvaya Cinnamon Insect Repellent
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
Formula not fully disclosed +1 more
Grandpa Gus
Grandpa Gus Mosquito Repellent Spray
Lemongrass oil · Geraniol
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
Regulatory notes
EPA minimum risk (FIFRA 25(b)) approved active ingredient; matched to SRS registry entry.
Safety notes
The oil can irritate skin and mucous membranes and should stay off broken skin and away from the eyes and from infants. Cats clear menthol poorly, which makes peppermint one of the riskier oils for them; see the pet-safety note below.