Citronella vs Permethrin

The same eleven questions, side by side, each answer in the agency's words. No verdict from us: we sell a product built on one of these actives, so the agencies do the talking.

CitronellaCymbopogon oil

Permethrina synthetic pyrethroid insecticide

Per EPA's tool

Citronella

Registered; 3 products in EPA's tool; 1 to 3 h mosquitoes, 1 h ticks.

Permethrin

Registered since 1979; CDC says fabric only, never skin; Not in EPA’s tool.

What is it, and where does it come from?

Citronella

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

Permethrin

A synthetic pyrethroid that NPIC says acts like natural chrysanthemum extracts, registered by EPA as an insecticide.

Source and detail: EPA, NPIC

Permethrin is an insecticide in the pyrethroid family; NPIC's permethrin fact sheet says pyrethroids are synthetic chemicals that act like natural extracts from the chrysanthemum flower. EPA's Repellent-Treated Clothing page describes it as a broad spectrum, non-systemic, synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, registered as an insecticide for a variety of settings, and says that when used to pre-treat clothing it is an insect repellent.

Permethrin is an insecticide in the pyrethroid family. Pyrethroids are synthetic chemicals that act like natural extracts from the chrysanthemum flower.
NPIC, Permethrin General Fact Sheet

Permethrin is a broad spectrum, non-systemic, synthetic pyrethroid insecticide that targets adults and larvae of many species of biting, chewing, scaling, soil, and flying invertebrates. Permethrin is registered by the EPA as an insecticide for use in a variety of settings. When used to pre-treat clothing, it is an insect repellent.
EPA, Repellent-Treated Clothing

How does EPA treat it?

Citronella

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

Permethrin

Registered since 1979, EPA says; on clothing by the military since 1990, factory-treated consumer clothing since 2003.

Source and detail: EPA

Registered since 1979, per EPA's Repellent-Treated Clothing page, which says permethrin was first registered in 1990 as a repellent on clothing by the military and that factory-treated consumer clothing was first registered in 2003. EPA's sentence is "The only insect repellent currently used for factory treatment of clothing is permethrin."

Permethrin has been registered since 1979. It was first registered in 1990 for use as a repellent on clothing by the military. At about the same time, we also approved permethrin as a spray for use on clothing and gear by consumers, as well as for commercial factory treatment of clothing and various types of gear. In 2003, we first registered consumer-oriented, permethrin factory-treated clothing products.
EPA, Repellent-Treated Clothing

The only insect repellent currently used for factory treatment of clothing is permethrin.
EPA, Repellent-Treated Clothing

What strengths are registered, and does strength change protection?

Citronella

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

Permethrin

Permethrin at 0.5% on clothing repels and kills ticks, chiggers and mosquitoes, CDC says; labels list 0.50%.

Source and detail: CDC Yellow Book, EPA stamped label

CDC's Yellow Book says that at a concentration of 0.5 percent, permethrin-treated clothing repels and kills ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes and other biting and nuisance arthropods. The accepted label for a permethrin clothing treatment, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, gives its active ingredient as permethrin 0.50 percent, and the accepted hang-tag label for factory-treated apparel, EPA Reg. No. 74843-2, gives permethrin at 0.52 percent.

At a concentration of 0.5%, permethrin-treated clothing repels and kills ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes, and other biting and nuisance arthropods.
CDC Yellow Book, Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-19)

ACTIVE INGREDIENT: Permethrin*……..……. 0.50%
EPA stamped label, CIC Residual Insecticide No. 1, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, accepted October 6, 2015

Permethrin 0.52%
EPA stamped label, Insect Shield Repellent Apparel, EPA Reg. No. 74843-2, dated May 15, 2017

How long does EPA say it protects?

Citronella

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

Permethrin

Labels say six weeks or six washes when you treat clothing, 70, 50 or 25 washings when factory-treated.

Source and detail: CDC Yellow Book, EPA stamped label

The accepted label for a 0.5 percent permethrin clothing treatment, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, says protection lasts a minimum of six weeks, with retreatment after six weeks or the sixth laundering; the hang-tag for factory-treated apparel, EPA Reg. No. 74843-2, says repellency remains effective for a bracketed 70, 50 or 25 washings. CDC's Yellow Book says treated materials retain repellency after repeated launderings but should be retreated per the label.

This product contains an active ingredient, which actually binds to the fabric being treated, providing residual protection, which lasts a minimum of six weeks [42 days], and holds up through several machine washings. Follow standard laundering procedures. Clothing should be retreated after six weeks [42 days] or after the sixth laundering to maintain adequate protection.
EPA stamped label, CIC Residual Insecticide No. 1, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, accepted October 6, 2015

REPELLENCY REMAINS EFFECTIVE FOR [70][50][25] WASHINGS
EPA stamped label, Insect Shield Repellent Apparel, EPA Reg. No. 74843-2, dated May 15, 2017

Permethrin-treated materials retain repellency or insecticidal activity after repeated launderings but should be retreated as described on the product label to provide continued protection. Clothing treated before purchase is labeled for efficacy through many launderings.
CDC Yellow Book, Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-19)

ACTIVE INGREDIENT: Permethrin*……..……. 0.50%
EPA stamped label, CIC Residual Insecticide No. 1, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, accepted October 6, 2015

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

Citronella

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

Permethrin

Labels name mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, mites, ants, flies and midges.

Source and detail: EPA stamped label

The accepted label for a 0.5 percent permethrin clothing treatment, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, says it repels and kills mosquitoes, chiggers, mites and ticks, in the label's words "including Ticks which carry Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever." The accepted hang-tag label for factory-treated apparel, EPA Reg. No. 74843-2, claims that it repels mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies, chiggers and midges.

To repel & kill mosquitoes, chiggers, mites and ticks, including Ticks which carry Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
EPA stamped label, CIC Residual Insecticide No. 1, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, accepted October 6, 2015

REPELS MOSQUITOES, TICKS, ANTS, FLIES, CHIGGERS, AND MIDGES
EPA stamped label, Insect Shield Repellent Apparel, EPA Reg. No. 74843-2, dated May 15, 2017

ACTIVE INGREDIENT: Permethrin*……..……. 0.50%
EPA stamped label, CIC Residual Insecticide No. 1, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, accepted October 6, 2015

What do the agencies say about children?

Citronella

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

Permethrin

No minimum age stated; EPA's 2009 review called treated clothing unlikely to pose significant hazard, toddlers included.

Source and detail: EPA

No CDC, EPA or label source we read states a minimum age for wearing permethrin-treated clothing. The closest agency statement is EPA's: its 2009 revised exposure and risk assessment evaluated multiple exposure scenarios for permethrin factory-treated clothing, including toddlers wearing or mouthing the clothing, and all scenarios showed the clothing is unlikely to pose any significant immediate or long-term hazard to people wearing it.

Our 2009 revised exposure and risk assessment evaluated multiple exposure scenarios for permethrin factory-treated clothing, including toddlers wearing or mouthing the clothing, and military personnel who wear permethrin-treated uniforms on a daily basis. All exposure scenarios showed that permethrin factory-treated clothing is unlikely to pose any significant immediate or long-term hazard to people wearing the clothing.
EPA, Repellent-Treated Clothing

What do CDC and WHO say about pregnancy?

Citronella

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

Permethrin

EPA says no evidence of reproductive or developmental effects to mother or child; no CDC statement found.

Source and detail: EPA

EPA's Repellent-Treated Clothing page says that, based on its review of scientific studies, there is no evidence of reproductive or developmental effects to mother or child following exposure to permethrin. No CDC or WHO page we read makes a permethrin-specific pregnancy statement.

Based on our review of scientific studies, there is no evidence of reproductive or developmental effects to mother or child following exposure to permethrin.
EPA, Repellent-Treated Clothing

What do NPIC and EPA report about absorption and toxicity?

Citronella

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

Permethrin

EPA says treated clothing gives low exposure and skin absorbs it poorly; NPIC says it may irritate skin.

Source and detail: EPA, NPIC

EPA's Repellent-Treated Clothing page says the amount of permethrin allowed in clothing is very low, that human exposure from wearing permethrin factory-treated clothing is low, and that available data show permethrin is poorly absorbed through the skin. NPIC says people who get permethrin on their skin may have irritation or tingling, burning and itching at that spot, and in the eyes it can cause redness, pain or burning.

The amount of permethrin allowed in clothing is very low, and scientific studies indicate that human exposure resulting from wearing permethrin factory-treated clothing also is low. Available data show that permethrin is poorly absorbed through the skin.
EPA, Repellent-Treated Clothing

When people get permethrin on their skin, they may have irritation or tingling, burning and itching at that spot. If permethrin gets in the eyes it can cause redness, pain or burning.
NPIC, Permethrin General Fact Sheet

Does it damage plastics, fabrics or gear?

Citronella

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

Permethrin

CDC says never on skin, only clothing, nets and fabrics; a label adds tents, sleeping bags and backpacks.

Source and detail: CDC Yellow Book, EPA stamped label

CDC's Yellow Book says permethrin should never be applied to skin, only to clothing, nets or other fabrics as the label directs. The label for a 0.5 percent permethrin treatment, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, lists netting, tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, hammocks and camping chairs, with no treating inside a sleeping bag and only the exterior surfaces of a tent sprayed; the hang-tag for factory-treated apparel, EPA Reg. No. 74843-2, says dry cleaning removes the active ingredient.

Permethrin should never be applied to the skin but only to clothing, mosquito nets, or other fabrics as directed on the product label.
CDC Yellow Book, Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-19)

GEAR: MOSQUITO NETTING, NETS, TENTS, CANOPIES, SCREEN ENCLOSURES, SLEEPING BAGS, BACKPACKS, GROUNDCLOTHS, HAMMOCKS AND CAMPING CHAIRS: Do not treat inside of sleeping bag. Spray exterior surfaces of tent only.
EPA stamped label, CIC Residual Insecticide No. 1, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, accepted October 6, 2015

DRYCLEANING REMOVES ACTIVE INGREDIENT- DO NOT DRY CLEAN
EPA stamped label, Insect Shield Repellent Apparel, EPA Reg. No. 74843-2, dated May 15, 2017

ACTIVE INGREDIENT: Permethrin*……..……. 0.50%
EPA stamped label, CIC Residual Insecticide No. 1, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, accepted October 6, 2015

What do the agencies say about pets?

Citronella

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

Permethrin

NPIC says cats are more sensitive than dogs or people because they break it down slowly.

Source and detail: NPIC

NPIC says permethrin is more toxic to insects than to people and dogs, and that cats are more sensitive than dogs or people because their bodies take a long time to break it down. NPIC's technical fact sheet describes a report of 11 cats intentionally treated with products containing 45 to 65 percent permethrin: all 11 were hospitalized, with muscle tremors, seizures, incoordination and agitation, and four died.

Permethrin is more toxic to insects than it is to people and dogs. This is because insects can't break it down as quickly as people and dogs. Cats are more sensitive to permethrin than dogs or people because it takes their bodies a long time to break it down.
NPIC, Permethrin General Fact Sheet

A report of 11 cats intentionally treated with products containing 45-65% permethrin described adverse effects including muscle tremors, seizures, incoordination and agitation after exposure. Of the 11 cats that were treated, all were hospitalized, and four died after the exposure.
NPIC, Permethrin Technical Fact Sheet (archived)

Which studies are on the record?

Citronella

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

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

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

Permethrin

One trial found 3.36 times fewer tick bites on subjects wearing permethrin-treated outfits than untreated ones.

Source and detail: Miller NJ

Miller 2011 (Journal of Medical Entomology) found that subjects wearing outfits treated with permethrin received 3.36 times fewer tick bites than subjects wearing untreated outfits, with no statistically significant difference between commercial permethrin treatment and the do-at-home application method. In the same study, 97.6 percent of nymphs attached to subjects in untreated outfits were alive, against 22.6 percent on subjects in repellent-treated outfits.

Subjects wearing outfits treated with permethrin received 3.36 times fewer tick bites than subjects wearing untreated outfits. No statistically significant differences in number of tick bites were detected between commercial permethrin treatment (19.33%) and the do-at-home permethrin application method (24.67%).
Miller NJ, Rainone EE, Dyer MC, Gonzalez ML, Mather TN. Tick bite protection with permethrin-treated summer-weight clothing. J Med Entomol. 2011 Mar;48(2):327-33. PMID 21485369

On subjects wearing untreated outfits, 97.6% of attached nymphs were alive, whereas significantly fewer (22.6%) attached nymphs were alive on subjects wearing repellent-treated outfits.
Miller NJ, et al. J Med Entomol. 2011 Mar;48(2):327-33. PMID 21485369

Sources on this page.

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

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
NPIC, Permethrin General Fact Sheet. https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/PermGen.html
EPA, Repellent-Treated Clothing. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/repellent-treated-clothing
CDC Yellow Book, Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-19). https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/environmental-hazards-risks/mosquitoes-ticks-and-other-arthropods.html
EPA stamped label, CIC Residual Insecticide No. 1, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, accepted October 6, 2015. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/050404-00003-20151006.pdf
EPA stamped label, Insect Shield Repellent Apparel, EPA Reg. No. 74843-2, dated May 15, 2017. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/074843-00002-20170515.pdf
NPIC, Permethrin Technical Fact Sheet (archived). https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/archive/Permtech.html
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