Citronella, an essential oil extracted from grasses in the Cymbopogon family, helps repel bugs largely thanks to the way it masks the scent of people. In one study, candles made with citronella essential oil were able to reduce the number of mosquitoes by about 35% and sand flies by 15%.
What bugs does citronella oil repel?
Citronella is a common natural and effective essential oil that works against mosquitoes. Made from a mix of herbs, it's an ingredient in many mosquito repellents. When outdoors, citronella candles can provide up to 50 percent extra protection.
What smell do bugs hate the most?
peppermint
Does the smell of citronella keep bugs away?
Citronella is naturally occurring oil that repels insects. An article in the Malaria Journal from 2011 says that people have been using plants to drive away mosquitoes as far back as the Greeks and Romans, and citronella is now “one of the most widely used natural repellents on the market.”
What bugs does citronella repel?
You're probably most familiar with citronella candles to repel mosquitoes, but the smell comes from a plant called Cymbopogon nardus, which gives off a distinct beach grass vibe. It's the oil from the plant that's actually the repellent, according to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC).
What scent keeps all bugs away?
Those most closely associated with repellency are citronella oil, eucalyptus oil, and catnip oil, but others include clove oil, patchouli, peppermint, and geranium.
Is citronella good inside the house?
Citronella As A Houseplant Can You Keep Mosquito Plant Citronella Indoors. If you live in a colder region, you can bring your plant indoors and continue to grow it there. Although these plants bloom, they are grown for their citrusy scent that is thought to repel mosquitos.Dec 3, 2020
What are the side effects of citronella?
Are there any side effects? Citronella oil can cause skin irritation or allergy. When this happens, the area may become red, blotchy, itchy, or swollen. If you're concerned about a possible skin reaction, test some diluted citronella oil on a small area of your skin before using it for topical applications.
Does citronella keep all bugs away?
Myth: Citronella candles repel mosquitoes. But while the oil of citronella does repel mosquitoes to some degree, “in the amount and concentration that is put out via candles, it's not very effective,” says Joseph Conlon, a technical adviser for the American Mosquito Control Association.