Skin-applied active

Citronella

Cymbopogon oil

Oil of citronella is a volatile oil steam-distilled from two grasses, found in both registered and exempt products.

Source and detail: Lindsay LR et al. Evaluation of the efficacy of 3% citronella candles and 5% citronella incense for protection against field populations of Aedes mosquitoes. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 1996;12(2 Pt 1):293-4. PMID 8827606, NPIC, US EPA

Oil of citronella is a volatile oil steam-distilled from two Cymbopogon grasses, per EPA's 1997 fact sheet, and NPIC says it was first registered in the United States in 1948. It sits on both sides of EPA's line: EPA counts 3 registered products and notes it is also used in unregistered products that meet the exemption requirements. The thing most often gotten wrong is to read candle results as skin results; the registered skin products carry 1 hour and 2 to 3 hours on EPA's tool, and the 1996 field trial on the record tested candles and incense.

Oil of citronella is the volatile oil obtained from the steam distillation of freshly cut or partially dried grasses, (Cymbopogon nardus (Rendal) and Cymbopogon winterianus (Jowitt).
US EPA, R.E.D. FACTS, Oil of Citronella, EPA-738-F-97-002, February 1997

Oil of citronella was first registered in the United States in 1948. It is currently on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA) list of minimum risk pesticides
NPIC, Citronella General Fact Sheet, Oregon State University Extension Services, date reviewed March 2013

Oil of citronella (3 registered products; also used in unregistered products that meet the requirements for exemption from registration)
US EPA, Skin-Applied Repellent Ingredients, last updated January 23, 2026

Bug Block Sunscreen and Insect Repellent (SPF) | 1 | 1 | Citronella | 4.2 | W.F. Young Ince | 1543-14
US EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results application, fetched 2026-09-22

Buzz Away Insect Repellent | 2-3 | X | Citronella Oil | 5 | Quantum Inc. | 66551-4
US EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results application, fetched 2026-09-22

Although significantly fewer bites were received by subjects at positions with citronella candles and incense than at nontreated locations, the overall reduction in bites provided by the citronella candles and incense was only 42.3 and 24.2%, respectively.
Lindsay LR et al. Evaluation of the efficacy of 3% citronella candles and 5% citronella incense for protection against field populations of Aedes mosquitoes. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 1996;12(2 Pt 1):293-4. PMID 8827606

The information in this database was last updated in June 2019.
US EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, last updated September 8, 2026

EPA statusRegistered; 3 products in EPA's tool

Protection, per EPA's tool1 to 3 h mosquitoes, 1 h ticks

Youngest ageUnder 6 months, physician only (label)

GearNo agency statement found.

PetsNothing on pets unless the label says so, per EPA; NPIC says some products are made for animals.

Product counts and hours are what EPA's repellent search tool listed on 2026-08-18; the other three lines are the agencies' words, sourced below.

Eleven questions.

One line each. Open any source for the full text and the exact quote.

What is it, and where does it come from?

Steam-distilled from Cymbopogon nardus and Cymbopogon winterianus, EPA says; NPIC calls it a mixture of many components.

Source and detail: NPIC, US EPA

Oil of citronella is the volatile oil obtained by steam-distilling freshly cut or partially dried grasses, Cymbopogon nardus and Cymbopogon winterianus, per EPA's 1997 reregistration fact sheet. NPIC's citronella fact sheet describes it as a naturally occurring insect and animal repellent distilled from two grass varieties, yellow to brown with a grassy, floral smell, and a mixture of many components.

Oil of citronella is the volatile oil obtained from the steam distillation of freshly cut or partially dried grasses, (Cymbopogon nardus (Rendal) and Cymbopogon winterianus (Jowitt).
US EPA, R.E.D. FACTS, Oil of Citronella, EPA-738-F-97-002, February 1997

Oil of citronella is a naturally occurring insect and animal repellent distilled from two grass varieties. It is yellow to brown and has a grassy/floral smell. Oil of citronella is a mixture of many components.
NPIC, Citronella General Fact Sheet, Oregon State University Extension Services, date reviewed March 2013

How does EPA treat it?

Both registered and exempt: EPA lists 3 registered products plus exempt unregistered ones; NPIC dates registration to 1948.

Source and detail: NPIC, US EPA

Both registered and exempt. EPA's ingredients page lists oil of citronella with 3 registered products and notes it is also used in unregistered products that meet the exemption requirements. NPIC says it was first registered in the United States in 1948 and is on EPA's list of minimum risk pesticides; EPA's 1997 fact sheet calls it a biopesticide registered as an insect repellent and as an animal repellent.

Oil of citronella (3 registered products; also used in unregistered products that meet the requirements for exemption from registration)
US EPA, Skin-Applied Repellent Ingredients, last updated January 23, 2026

Oil of citronella was first registered in the United States in 1948. It is currently on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA) list of minimum risk pesticides
NPIC, Citronella General Fact Sheet, Oregon State University Extension Services, date reviewed March 2013

Oil of citronella is a biopesticide (biochemical) with a non-toxic mode of action. It is registered as an insect repellent/feeding depressant and as an animal repellent.
US EPA, R.E.D. FACTS, Oil of Citronella, EPA-738-F-97-002, February 1997

What strengths are registered, and does strength change protection?

4.2 to 5 percent on registered labels: one states 5 percent, another 4.2 percent with cedarwood oil.

Source and detail: NPIC, US EPA accepted label

4.2 to 5 percent on the registered labels: the EPA-accepted label for EPA Reg. No. 66551-4 states citronella oil at 5 percent, and the accepted label for EPA Reg. No. 1543-14, a combination sunscreen and repellent, states citronella oil at 4.20 percent with cedarwood oil at 0.46 percent. NPIC says repellents with less than 10 percent active ingredient may only protect for short periods, 1 to 2 hours.

ACTIVE INGREDIENT: Citronella Oil* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5%
US EPA accepted label, Buzz Away, EPA Reg. No. 66551-4, Quantum Inc., accepted 10/30/2017

*Active Ingredients: Citronella Oil 4.20% Cedarwood Oil 0.46%
US EPA accepted label, Bug Block Sunscreen & Insect Repellent, EPA Reg. No. 1543-14, W.F. Young, stamped 2002

Higher concentration repellents may protect people for longer. However, they are not better at keeping insects away. 5,6,7 Repellents with less than 10% of an active ingredient may only offer protection for short periods of time (1-2 hours).
NPIC, Insect Repellents Fact Sheet, Oregon State University Extension Services, date reviewed February 2018

How long does EPA say it protects?

EPA's tool lists 1 hour for mosquitoes and ticks, or 2 to 3 hours for mosquitoes only.

Source and detail: US EPA, US EPA accepted label

One to three hours: EPA's search tool lists Bug Block Sunscreen and Insect Repellent (EPA Reg. No. 1543-14, 4.2 percent) at 1 hour for mosquitoes and 1 for ticks, and Buzz Away Insect Repellent (EPA Reg. No. 66551-4, 5 percent) at 2 to 3 hours for mosquitoes, X for ticks (not registered for tick protection). The 66551-4 label says apply every 2 to 3 hours or more often as needed. EPA says those times were approved for labels from company data, from a database last updated in June 2019.

Bug Block Sunscreen and Insect Repellent (SPF) | 1 | 1 | Citronella | 4.2 | W.F. Young Ince | 1543-14
US EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results application, fetched 2026-09-22

Buzz Away Insect Repellent | 2-3 | X | Citronella Oil | 5 | Quantum Inc. | 66551-4
US EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results application, fetched 2026-09-22

An "X" indicates that the repellent product has not been registered for protection from ticks.
US EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results application, fetched 2026-09-22

For best results, apply to skin every 2-3 hours or more often as needed.
US EPA accepted label, Buzz Away, EPA Reg. No. 66551-4, Quantum Inc., accepted 10/30/2017

The information in this database was last updated in June 2019.
US EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, last updated September 8, 2026

Protection Times - These protection times have been approved for product labels. These times are based on the technical information provided by the company on the effectiveness of the product against mosquitoes and/or ticks.
US EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results application, fetched 2026-09-22

The registration number means the company provided EPA with technical information on the safety of the product and its effectiveness against mosquitoes and/or ticks. While this technical information is based on scientific testing guidelines and approved study methods, there are variations in the resulting protection times because of differences in the testing conditions.
US EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, last updated September 8, 2026

Which pests do accepted labels name, and what does CDC say those pests carry?

Labels name mosquitoes, gnats, blackflies and no-see-ums.

Source and detail: US EPA, US EPA accepted label

Mosquitoes, gnats, blackflies and no-see-ums: the EPA-accepted label for EPA Reg. No. 66551-4 reads REPELS: MOSQUITOES, GNATS, BLACKFLIES AND NO-SEE-UMS. The accepted label for EPA Reg. No. 1543-14 says the product repels mosquitoes while providing sun protection, and EPA's 1997 fact sheet describes the registered human use as repelling adult gnats and adult mosquitoes from body, hair, clothing and footwear.

REPELS: MOSQUITOES, GNATS, BLACKFLIES AND NO-SEE-UMS
US EPA accepted label, Buzz Away, EPA Reg. No. 66551-4, Quantum Inc., accepted 10/30/2017

Indications: Repels mosquitoes while providing (15) (30) times your natural protection from sunburn.
US EPA accepted label, Bug Block Sunscreen & Insect Repellent, EPA Reg. No. 1543-14, W.F. Young, stamped 2002

for human applications (body, hair, clothing, and footwear while being worn) to repel gnats (adult) and mosquitoes (adult).
US EPA, R.E.D. FACTS, Oil of Citronella, EPA-738-F-97-002, February 1997

What do the agencies say about children?

Under 6 months only with a physician's advice, a label says; NPIC says some products carry that rule.

Source and detail: NPIC, US EPA accepted label

Under 6 months only with a physician's advice. The EPA-accepted label for EPA Reg. No. 1543-14 says use on children under 6 months of age only with the advice of a physician. NPIC's citronella fact sheet says some oil of citronella products should not be used on children less than six months old unless directed by a doctor.

Use on children under 6 months of age only with the advice of a physician.
US EPA accepted label, Bug Block Sunscreen & Insect Repellent, EPA Reg. No. 1543-14, W.F. Young, stamped 2002

some oil of citronella products should not be used on children less than six months old unless directed by a doctor. This information is listed on the product label.
NPIC, Citronella General Fact Sheet, Oregon State University Extension Services, date reviewed March 2013

What do CDC and WHO say about pregnancy?

No CDC, WHO or EPA statement found; CDC's pregnancy list of actives does not include citronella.

Source and detail: CDC Travelers' Health

No CDC, WHO or EPA statement on citronella and pregnancy was among the sources read. CDC's statement that EPA-registered repellents are proven safe and effective for pregnant and breastfeeding women when used as directed is attached to a named list of actives that does not include citronella.

When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. If also using sunscreen, always apply insect repellent after sunscreen. DEET Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the US) IR3535 Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) Para-menthane-diol (PMD) 2-undecanone
CDC Travelers' Health, Avoid Bug Bites

What do NPIC and EPA report about absorption and toxicity?

NPIC says it can mildly irritate skin and eyes, and may cause skin allergies with frequent exposure.

Source and detail: NPIC, US EPA

NPIC's fact sheet says oil of citronella can be mildly irritating to skin and eyes, may cause skin allergies with prolonged or frequent exposure, and that methyleugenol, a minor component, is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. EPA's 1997 fact sheet says oil of citronella has generally been shown to be of low acute toxicity in laboratory animals, with Ceylon type oil a weak dermal sensitizer and Java type a non-sensitizer.

Oil of citronella can be mildly irritating to the skin and eyes. It may also cause skin allergies for some people with prolonged or frequent exposure. If eaten, people may cough or experience throat irritation.
NPIC, Citronella General Fact Sheet, Oregon State University Extension Services, date reviewed March 2013

However, methyleugenol, a minor component of oil of citronella, is "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It has caused the development of tumors in mice.
NPIC, Citronella General Fact Sheet, Oregon State University Extension Services, date reviewed March 2013

In studies using laboratory animals, oil of citronella generally has been shown to be of low acute toxicity.
US EPA, R.E.D. FACTS, Oil of Citronella, EPA-738-F-97-002, February 1997

Oil of citronella derived from "Ceylon type" oil is a weak dermal sensitizer while citronella oil derived from "Java type" is a non-sensitizer.
US EPA, R.E.D. FACTS, Oil of Citronella, EPA-738-F-97-002, February 1997

Does it damage plastics, fabrics or gear?

No agency statement found.

Source and detail: US EPA

No agency statement about citronella and plastics, fabrics or gear was among the sources read. EPA's 1997 fact sheet lists clothing and footwear while being worn among the registered human application sites, without any statement about effects on those materials.

for human applications (body, hair, clothing, and footwear while being worn) to repel gnats (adult) and mosquitoes (adult).
US EPA, R.E.D. FACTS, Oil of Citronella, EPA-738-F-97-002, February 1997

What do the agencies say about pets?

Nothing on pets unless the label says so, per EPA; NPIC says some products are made for animals.

Source and detail: EPA, NPIC, US EPA

EPA's repellent-use page says not to use any product on pets or other animals unless the label clearly states it is for animals. Citronella does appear in products meant for animals: NPIC says some oil of citronella products are applied to animal skin and that it can be found in flea collars, and EPA's 1997 fact sheet lists flea collar among the application methods for oil of citronella.

Do not use any product on pets or other animals unless the label clearly states it is for animals. Most insect repellents do not work against lice or fleas.
US EPA, Using Insect Repellents Safely and Effectively

Do not use any product on pets or other animals unless the label clearly states it is for animals.
EPA, Using Insect Repellents Safely and Effectively

Some of these products are applied to animal or human skin, ornamental plants, or other outdoor areas. Oil of citronella can be formulated into sprays, lotions, candles, pellets, and pouches. It can also be found in some sunscreen products, wristbands, and flea collars.
NPIC, Citronella General Fact Sheet, Oregon State University Extension Services, date reviewed March 2013

Oil of citronella may be applied by hand-held sprayer, cloth wipe-on, candles, cartridge, rub-on, scent-post application, sprinkle by hand, and flea collar.
US EPA, R.E.D. FACTS, Oil of Citronella, EPA-738-F-97-002, February 1997

Which studies are on the record?

One 1996 field trial tested candles and incense, not skin products: bites fell 42.3 and 24.2 percent overall.

Lindsay and colleagues, Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, 1996, tested citronella candles and incense against field Aedes mosquitoes, not a product applied to skin: significantly fewer bites at treated positions than at untreated ones, but an overall reduction in bites of only 42.3 and 24.2 percent respectively. No skin-applied citronella efficacy trial was among the sources read for this active.

Although significantly fewer bites were received by subjects at positions with citronella candles and incense than at nontreated locations, the overall reduction in bites provided by the citronella candles and incense was only 42.3 and 24.2%, respectively.
Lindsay LR et al. Evaluation of the efficacy of 3% citronella candles and 5% citronella incense for protection against field populations of Aedes mosquitoes. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 1996;12(2 Pt 1):293-4. PMID 8827606

Put it beside another.

Citronella vs DEETCitronella vs PicaridinCitronella vs Permethrin

All ten actives 631 products by ingredient

Sources on this page.

11 sources. Every quote was fetched on or before 2026-09-22 and is stored with the page. Last reviewed 2026-09-22.

US EPA, R.E.D. FACTS, Oil of Citronella, EPA-738-F-97-002, February 1997. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/reg_actions/reregistration/fs_PC-021901_1-Feb-97.pdf
NPIC, Citronella General Fact Sheet, Oregon State University Extension Services, date reviewed March 2013. https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/citronellagen.html
US EPA, Skin-Applied Repellent Ingredients, last updated January 23, 2026. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/skin-applied-repellent-ingredients
US EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results application, fetched 2026-09-22. https://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s/search_results.cfm
Lindsay LR et al. Evaluation of the efficacy of 3% citronella candles and 5% citronella incense for protection against field populations of Aedes mosquitoes. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 1996;12(2 Pt 1):293-4. PMID 8827606. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8827606/
US EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, last updated September 8, 2026. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you
US EPA accepted label, Buzz Away, EPA Reg. No. 66551-4, Quantum Inc., accepted 10/30/2017. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/066551-00004-20171030.pdf
US EPA accepted label, Bug Block Sunscreen & Insect Repellent, EPA Reg. No. 1543-14, W.F. Young, stamped 2002. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/001543-00014-20020805.pdf
NPIC, Insect Repellents Fact Sheet, Oregon State University Extension Services, date reviewed February 2018. https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/repellents.html
CDC Travelers' Health, Avoid Bug Bites. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/avoid-bug-bites
US EPA, Using Insect Repellents Safely and Effectively. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/using-insect-repellents-safely-and-effectively