Study summary
Effectiveness of citronella preparations in preventing mosquito bites: systematic review of controlled laboratory experimental studies
Kongkaew C, Sakunrag I, Chaiyakunapruk N, Tawatsin A
- Study type
- Review
- Year
- 2011
- Published in
- Tropical Medicine & International Health 16(7):802-810
- Evidence strength
- Well-supported evidence
Summary
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.
Key findings
By the cage method, citronella oil's protection time against Aedes was substantially shorter than DEET's (mean difference about 253 minutes in DEET's favor). Adding vanillin lengthened citronella's protection; combined citronella + vanillin provided complete repellency for at least 3 hours in room-method tests.
Limitations
Only laboratory cage/room studies (no field disease-endpoint trials); heterogeneity in formulations and concentrations; confirms citronella alone is markedly weaker and shorter-lasting than DEET.