Geraniol
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Does geraniol repel mosquitoes?
Yes, and at the right concentration, better than most botanicals. Luker 2023 arm-in-cage tests found 10% geraniol in a lotion emulsion protected for over 60 minutes against both mosquitoes and ticks. López 2025 showed the dose-response has a steep cliff: below 4% it's nearly useless, but at 5% it reaches the same plateau as 10%. Products with 5%+ geraniol in a lotion base deserve a serious look; products at 1–3% do not.
When to choose it: Backyard and patio use when you want a disclosed botanical at meaningful concentration (5%+). Among botanicals, it has the strongest tick data in our library, but it still falls short of synthetics for all-day protection.
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
The evidence
Mosquito protection by concentration: Geraniol
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.
- Repellency of Essential Oils and Plant-Derived Compounds Against Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes2025LabWell-supported evidence
Arm-in-cage dose-response study for geraniol at 1–10% on human skin, establishing a sigmoidal protection curve with EC50 around 5%.
- Repellent efficacy of 20 essential oils on Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and Ixodes scapularis ticks in contact-repellency assays2023LabWell-supported evidence
Arm-in-cage complete-protection-time assays of 20 EPA minimum-risk (25(b)) essential oils formulated as 10% v/v lotion emulsions against Aedes aegypti, plus tick-crossing assays against Ixodes scapularis.
- Performance of the Plant-Based Repellent TT-4302 Against Mosquitoes in the Laboratory and Field and Comparative Efficacy to 16 Mosquito Repellents Against Aedes aegypti2014Field TrialWell-supported evidence
Skin-applied laboratory arm-in-cage plus outdoor field evaluation of a 5% geraniol extended-release formulation (TT-4302) against three mosquito species, compared to 15% DEET and 16 commercial repellents.
- Activity of the plant-based repellent TT-4302 against the ticks Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variabilis, Ixodes scapularis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus2014LabLimited evidence
Two-choice laboratory bioassays of a 5% geraniol formulation against four medically important tick species, compared to 15% DEET.
- 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.
- Efficacy of 1% geraniol (Fulltec) as a tick repellent2009Field TrialLimited evidence
Field trial of a 1% geraniol spray applied to cattle on two farms near Rabat, Morocco, measuring tick burden over three weeks.
- 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.
- Laboratory Evaluation of Mosquito Repellents Against Aedes albopictus, Culex nigripalpus, and Ochlerotatus triseriatus2004LabLimited evidence
Arm-in-cage laboratory evaluation of a 25% geraniol commercial product (MosquitoSafe, mineral-oil base) against three mosquito species, versus 7% DEET.
Common misconceptions
Myth: “Geraniol candles prove hours of protection.”
Reality: Candles and diffusers test area repellency in enclosed spaces, a different endpoint than skin CPT. On skin, Luker 2023 measured >60 min at 10% in lotion; that's real but still an hour, not an afternoon.
Myth: “A little geraniol goes a long way.”
Reality: The opposite at low doses: López 2025 found a 16-fold CPT jump between 4% and 5%. At 1–3%, protection is measured in minutes. The concentration on the label matters enormously.
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
1.5% · Active repellent
- Diptyque Lemongrass & Geranium Summer Body Spray
Concentration not listed · Fragrance component / allergen declaration
- Grandpa Gus Mosquito Repellent Spray
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Jao Patio Oil Moisturizing Mist
5% · Active repellent (per brand marketing)
- Natrapel Essential Oil Insect Repellent – Pets & People
0.05% · Active repellent
- Outside Balm
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Geraniol Bug Repellent Balm
Concentration not listed · Active repellent (primary)
- Insect Repellent Spray
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- Anti-Tick Spray
4.5% · Active repellent
- Nourish + Defend Botanical Insect Repellent
5% · Active repellent
- Buzz Away Extreme Spray
6.00% · Active repellent
- Skeeter Screen 4 oz. Personal Spray
Concentration not listed · Active repellent
- EcoSMART Organic Insect Repellent
1.0% · Active repellent
- Maggie's Farm Natural Insect Repellent
1.75% · Active repellent
Frequently asked questions
How often should I reapply a geraniol repellent?
At 5%+ in a lotion base, roughly every hour for complete protection, matching what Luker measured. Below 4%, reapply every 15–30 minutes or switch products.
Does geraniol repel ticks?
Yes. Luker 2023 measured >60 min tick CPT at 10% in lotion, the longest botanical tick data in our library. Still well short of picaridin or IR3535 for trail use.
Is geraniol safe?
It's on the EPA minimum-risk (25(b)) list with a long history in cosmetics. It can be a skin sensitizer for some people, so patch-test concentrated products.