Study summary
Efficacy of the botanical repellents geraniol, linalool, and citronella against mosquitoes
Müller GC, Junnila A, Butler J, Kravchenko VD, Revay EE, Weiss RW, Schlein Y
- Study type
- Field Trial
- Year
- 2009
- Published in
- Journal of Vector Ecology 34(1):2-8
- Evidence strength
- Well-supported evidence
How it was tested
Field tests of candles and diffusers releasing geraniol, linalool, and citronella — area repellency, not skin application.
Summary
Personal-protection tests of citronella, linalool, and geraniol delivered by commercial candles and continuous-release diffusers, indoors and outdoors.
Key findings
Geraniol was the most effective, with diffusers giving 97% indoor and 95.5% outdoor repellency; citronella was the weakest (14% indoor candle, 68% indoor diffuser). Diffusers consistently outperformed candles.
Limitations
Tests spatial/area release rather than skin application; small number of human subjects; outdoor results sensitive to placement distance.