DEET vs Citronella

DEET (chemical name, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is the active ingredient in many repellent products. It is widely used to repel biting pests such as mosquitoes and ticks. Every year, an estimated one-third of the U.S. population use DEET to protect them from mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile Virus, the Zika virus or malaria and tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

EPA, DEET (epa.gov/insect-repellents/deet), fetched 2026-09-22

DEET is designed for direct application to people's skin to repel insects. Rather than killing them, DEET works by making it hard for these biting bugs to smell us. After it was developed by the U.S. Army in 1946, DEET was registered for use by the general public in 1957. Approximately 120 products containing DEET are currently registered with EPA by about 30 different companies.

EPA, DEET (epa.gov/insect-repellents/deet), fetched 2026-09-22

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

DEET is designed for direct application to people's skin to repel insects. Rather than killing them, DEET works by making it hard for these biting bugs to smell us. After it was developed by the U.S. Army in 1946, DEET was registered for use by the general public in 1957. Approximately 120 products containing DEET are currently registered with EPA by about 30 different companies.

EPA, DEET (epa.gov/insect-repellents/deet), fetched 2026-09-22

After completing a comprehensive re-assessment of DEET, we concluded that insect repellents containing DEET do not present a health concern. Consumers are advised to read and follow label directions when using any pesticide product, including insect repellents. Based on extensive toxicity testing, we believe that the normal use of DEET does not present a health concern to the general population, including children. We completed this review and issued a reregistration decision (called a RED) in 1998.

EPA, DEET (epa.gov/insect-repellents/deet), fetched 2026-09-22

The human health risk assessment concluded that there are no risks of concern because no toxic effects have been identified when used as a dermally applied insect repellent, and there is no dietary or occupational exposure for DEET. However, a Final Decision on the DEET registration review case will occur only after the EPA has completed an Endocrine Disruptor Screening under FFDCA section 408(p).

EPA, DEET (epa.gov/insect-repellents/deet), fetched 2026-09-22

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

Products containing DEET currently are available to the public in a variety of liquids, lotions, sprays, and impregnated materials (e.g., towelettes, roll on). Formulations registered for direct application to human skin contain from 5 to 99% DEET.

EPA, DEET (epa.gov/insect-repellents/deet), fetched 2026-09-22

In general, higher concentrations of active ingredients provide longer duration of protection, regardless of the active ingredient. Products with <10% active ingredient might offer only limited protection, often 1-2 hours. Products that offer sustained-release or controlled-release (microencapsulated) formulations, even with lower active ingredient concentrations, might provide longer protection times. Studies suggest that DEET efficacy tends to peak at a concentration of approximately 50% and that concentrations above that do not offer a marked increase in protection time against mosquitoes.

CDC Yellow Book, Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-19)

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

Studies in EPA's database indicate that DEET repels ticks for about two to ten hours, and mosquitoes from two to twelve hours depending on the percentage of DEET in the product.

EPA, DEET (epa.gov/insect-repellents/deet), fetched 2026-09-22

Ben's 100 Insect Repellent | 10 | 10 | DEET | 98.11 | Tender Corp. | 56575-7

EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results for DEET, cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s

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.

EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You

Any products listed are for informational purposes only. Inclusion of a product listed/referenced is not an endorsement. * EPA and the U.S. Government do not endorse any product or service. * The information in this database was last updated in June 2019.

U.S. EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You

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

EFFECTIVE PROTECTION from Mosquitoes, Gnats, No-See-Ums, Biting Flies, Ticks (including ticks that may cause Lyme disease), Chiggers and Fleas

EPA notification label, OFF! Insect Repellent II, EPA Reg. No. 4822-380, 15% DEET aerosol, November 13, 2009

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

DEET is approved for use on children with no age restriction. There is no restriction on the percentage of DEET in the product for use on children, since data do not show any difference in effects between young animals and adult animals in tests done for product registration.

EPA, DEET (epa.gov/insect-repellents/deet), fetched 2026-09-22

Insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and 2-undecanone can be used on children without age restriction

CDC Yellow Book, Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-19)

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

Use EPA-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

CDC, Preventing Mosquito Bites (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-16)

When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. DEET Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the United States)

CDC, Preventing Mosquito Bites (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-16)

The safety of daily application of N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) (1.7 g of DEET/day) in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy was assessed as part of a double-blind, randomized, therapeutic trial of insect repellents for the prevention of malaria in pregnancy (n = 897). No adverse neurologic, gastrointestinal, or dermatologic effects were observed for women who applied a median total dose of 214.2 g of DEET per pregnancy (range = 0-345.1 g).

McGready R, et al. Safety of the insect repellent N,N-diethyl-M-toluamide (DEET) in pregnancy. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2001 Oct;65(4):285-9. PMID 11693870

DEET crossed the placenta and was detected in 8% (95% confidence interval = 2.6-18.2) of cord blood samples from a randomly selected subgroup of DEET users (n = 50). No adverse effects on survival, growth, or development at birth, or at one year, were found. This is the first study to document the safety of DEET applied regularly in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

McGready R, et al. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2001 Oct;65(4):285-9. PMID 11693870

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

When DEET was applied to the skin of volunteers by researchers, they found that a small amount of the DEET was taken into the body through the skin. When DEET and alcohol are applied to the skin, more DEET is taken into the skin compared with DEET alone. Drinking alcohol may also cause more DEET to be absorbed through the skin. Sunscreen products that contain DEET may cause more DEET to be taken into the body through the skin.

NPIC, DEET General Fact Sheet

DEET generally is of low acute toxicity, and, based on the available toxicological data, the Agency believes that the normal use of DEET does not present a health concern to the general U.S. population (the Agency's human risk assessment has identified no toxicologically significant effects in animal studies.) DEET has been classified as a Group D carcinogen (not classifiable as a human carcinogen.)

EPA, R.E.D. FACTS: DEET, EPA-738-F-95-010, April 1998

In summary, since 1960, there have been 14 cases of seizure, including four deaths, potentially related to DEET exposure, for which other more likely causes have not been identified. An additional 32 cases of seizure reported to the national DEET registry are currently under review.

EPA, Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) DEET, EPA738-R-98-010, approved April 13, 1998

people using DEET each year, the observed incidence of recognized seizures is about one per 100 million users.

EPA, Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) DEET, EPA738-R-98-010, approved April 13, 1998

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

DEET is a plasticizer and can damage certain rubber, plastic, vinyl, or elastic materials such as contact lenses, eyeglass frames and lenses, watch crystals, combs, painted and varnished surfaces, and certain synthetic or treated fabrics.

NPIC, DEET Technical Fact Sheet (archived)

Will not damage nylon, cotton, or wool.

EPA amended reregistration label, Cutter Insect Repellent #10GE, EPA Reg. No. 121-53, 10% DEET, March 18, 2009

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

N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) is an insect repellent used in households/domestic dwellings, on the human body and clothing being worn, on cats, dogs, horses and pet living/sleeping quarters. There are no food uses.

EPA, R.E.D. FACTS: DEET, EPA-738-F-95-010, April 1998

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

Reports of pets being exposed to DEET in amounts that would make them sick are rare. Pets that have been overexposed to DEET have shown varying effects, including vomiting, shaking, excitement, lack of coordination, and seizures.

NPIC, DEET General Fact Sheet

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

Based on a total of 4996 mosquitoes collected on negative control persons, the overall five hour protection rate was 97.4% [95%CI: 97.1-97.8%], not decreasing over time. Picaridin 20% performed equally well as DEET 20% and better than picaridin 10%.

Van Roey K, et al. Field evaluation of picaridin repellents reveals differences in repellent sensitivity between Southeast Asian vectors of malaria and arboviruses. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2014 Dec 18;8(12):e3326. PMID 25522134

Formulations containing > or = 20% active ingredient were highly effective, with <10% of the ticks crossing through the treatment bands for any challenge during the 12 h. At least 40% of ticks exposed to any formulation for any challenge fell or crawled off the volunteers.

Carroll JF, Benante JP, Kramer M, Lohmeyer KH, Lawrence K. Formulations of deet, picaridin, and IR3535 applied to skin repel nymphs of the lone star tick (Acari: Ixodidae) for 12 hours. J Med Entomol. 2010 Jul;47(4):699-704. PMID 20695288

There was no difference in effectiveness between the 20% spray and 20% lotion formulations of picaridin. The 10% IR3535 lotion was significantly less effective than the formulations with higher concentrations of repellent. In the formulations tested, deet, picaridin, and IR3535 provided lasting protection against A. americanum.

Carroll JF, et al. J Med Entomol. 2010 Jul;47(4):699-704. PMID 20695288

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