Exempt from registration

Other plant oils

25(b) exempt: lemongrass, peppermint, cedar, soybean, others

Plant oils sold as repellents without registration under EPA's minimum-risk exemption; examples include cedar, geranium, peppermint and soybean.

Source and detail: Maia MF, NPIC, US EPA

These are the plant oils sold as repellents without EPA registration under the minimum-risk exemption: EPA names citronella oil, cedar oil, geranium oil, peppermint oil and soybean oil as examples, and NPIC adds that no EPA-registered repellent contains lemongrass, rosemary, thyme, garlic or geraniol oils as active ingredients. EPA says it exempted them after determining the ingredients posed minimal risk to human health at the percentages found in products on the market, and it says that products made from them have not been evaluated for effectiveness. The thing most often gotten wrong is to read the exemption as an endorsement; EPA says it does not review exempted products, and Maia and Moore's 2011 review calls the common perception of plant-based products as lower-risk than synthetic ones sometimes a misconception.

Examples of ingredients used in unregistered repellents are: Citronella oil. Cedar oil. Geranium oil. Peppermint and peppermint oil. Soybean oil.
US EPA, Regulation of Skin-Applied Repellents, last updated June 25, 2026

Some of these other repellents may be minimum risk pesticides and may not have to be registered with the EPA. There are no EPA-registered repellents that contain garlic oil, rosemary, lemongrass, thyme, or geraniol oils as active ingredients.
NPIC, Insect Repellents Fact Sheet, Oregon State University Extension Services, date reviewed February 2018

Because EPA has determined that certain "minimum risk pesticides" pose little to no risk to human health or the environment, EPA has exempted them from the requirement that they be registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.
US EPA, Minimum Risk Pesticides Exempted from FIFRA Registration, last updated August 31, 2026

In the 1990s, EPA evaluated the active ingredients in these unregistered products for safety . We determined that the active ingredients posed minimal risk to human health in the percentages found in products on the market. Based on this minimal risk determination, we decided that products made from these ingredients should be exempt from registration. Note that products made from these ingredients have not been evaluated for effectiveness .
US EPA, Regulation of Skin-Applied Repellents, last updated June 25, 2026

Because EPA does not review exempted products, this type of statement is misleading.
US EPA, Conditions for Minimum Risk Pesticides, Condition 6, last updated August 31, 2026

Recently, commercial repellent products containing plant-based ingredients have gained increasing popularity among consumers, as these are commonly perceived as "safe" in comparison to long-established synthetic repellents although this is sometimes a misconception.
Maia MF, Moore SJ. Plant-based insect repellents: a review of their efficacy, development and testing. Malar J. 2011;10 Suppl 1:S11. PMID 21411012

EPA statusExempt, not registered

Protection, per EPA's toolNot in EPA’s tool

Youngest ageNo agency statement

GearNo agency statement found.

PetsOnly EPA's general rule applies: nothing on pets unless the label says so.

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?

EPA names citronella, cedar, geranium, peppermint and soybean oils as examples of ingredients in unregistered repellents.

Source and detail: NPIC, US EPA

These are the plant oils EPA allows in repellents sold without registration: EPA's page on regulating skin-applied repellents names citronella oil, cedar oil, geranium oil, peppermint oil and soybean oil as examples of ingredients used in unregistered repellents. EPA's 1997 citronella fact sheet dates the exempting rule to February 28, 1996, under FIFRA Section 25(b). NPIC adds that no EPA-registered repellent contains garlic oil, rosemary, lemongrass, thyme or geraniol oils as active ingredients.

Examples of ingredients used in unregistered repellents are: Citronella oil. Cedar oil. Geranium oil. Peppermint and peppermint oil. Soybean oil.
US EPA, Regulation of Skin-Applied Repellents, last updated June 25, 2026

Because EPA has determined that certain "minimum risk pesticides" pose little to no risk to human health or the environment, EPA has exempted them from the requirement that they be registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.
US EPA, Minimum Risk Pesticides Exempted from FIFRA Registration, last updated August 31, 2026

On February 28, 1996, the Agency issued a rule exempting certain pesticides, including oil of citronella, from regulation under FIFRA. In order to be eligible for this exemption (under FIFRA Section 25(b)), the oil of citronella products must meet all of the criteria listed below:
US EPA, R.E.D. FACTS, Oil of Citronella, EPA-738-F-97-002, February 1997

Some of these other repellents may be minimum risk pesticides and may not have to be registered with the EPA. There are no EPA-registered repellents that contain garlic oil, rosemary, lemongrass, thyme, or geraniol oils as active ingredients.
NPIC, Insect Repellents Fact Sheet, Oregon State University Extension Services, date reviewed February 2018

How does EPA treat it?

Exempt from registration under FIFRA Section 25(b); EPA says it is considering removing personal repellents from the exemption.

Source and detail: US EPA

Exempt under FIFRA Section 25(b): EPA says it has determined that certain minimum risk pesticides pose little to no risk to human health or the environment and has exempted them from FIFRA registration. As of EPA's personal-repellents page, read September 2026, EPA says it is considering a future rulemaking to remove personal mosquito and tick repellents from the exemption, after which they would need registration before sale.

Because EPA has determined that certain "minimum risk pesticides" pose little to no risk to human health or the environment, EPA has exempted them from the requirement that they be registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.
US EPA, Minimum Risk Pesticides Exempted from FIFRA Registration, last updated August 31, 2026

On February 28, 1996, the Agency issued a rule exempting certain pesticides, including oil of citronella, from regulation under FIFRA. In order to be eligible for this exemption (under FIFRA Section 25(b)), the oil of citronella products must meet all of the criteria listed below:
US EPA, R.E.D. FACTS, Oil of Citronella, EPA-738-F-97-002, February 1997

To that end, we have explored rulemaking regarding personal insect repellents and in a future rulemaking are considering a proposal to remove personal mosquito and tick repellents from the minimum risk pesticides exemption currently in 40 CFR 152.25(f). This means that once removed from the exemption, personal mosquito and tick repellents would need to be registered as a pesticide product with EPA before sale or distribution in the United States.
US EPA, Personal Insect Repellents and Minimum Risk Pesticides

What strengths are registered, and does strength change protection?

No registered strength exists; EPA requires exempt labels to list every active by name and percentage by weight.

Source and detail: NPIC, US EPA

There is no registered strength to give: a product that meets EPA's six minimum-risk conditions does not need to be registered with EPA. EPA's conditions page says all active ingredients in an exempted product must be listed on the label by display name and percentage by weight. NPIC says higher concentration repellents may protect longer but are not better at keeping insects away, and under 10 percent may only protect for 1 to 2 hours.

A minimum risk product must meet the six conditions listed below. A product that meets all of these six conditions is then exempted from regulation under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), i.e., the pesticide product does not need to be registered with EPA. However, states may require registration under state laws .
US EPA, Conditions for Minimum Risk Pesticides, last updated August 31, 2026

All of the ingredients in an exempted product (both active and inert) must be listed on the label: All active ingredients must be listed by label display name* and percentage (by weight).
US EPA, Conditions for Minimum Risk Pesticides, Condition 3, last updated August 31, 2026

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 publishes no protection time; it says these products have not been evaluated for effectiveness.

Source and detail: US EPA

EPA publishes no protection time for these oils: its page on regulation of skin-applied repellents says products made from these ingredients have not been evaluated for effectiveness, and that repellents without an EPA registration number have not been evaluated by EPA, which cannot advise consumers about their effectiveness. EPA's search tool includes only skin-applied repellents registered by EPA; no unregistered products are listed.

In the 1990s, EPA evaluated the active ingredients in these unregistered products for safety . We determined that the active ingredients posed minimal risk to human health in the percentages found in products on the market. Based on this minimal risk determination, we decided that products made from these ingredients should be exempt from registration. Note that products made from these ingredients have not been evaluated for effectiveness .
US EPA, Regulation of Skin-Applied Repellents, last updated June 25, 2026

Repellents that do not bear an EPA registration number have not been evaluated by EPA, and EPA cannot advise consumers about the effectiveness of these products.
US EPA, Regulation of Skin-Applied Repellents, last updated June 25, 2026

The results from the search tool include only skin-applied repellent products registered by EPA. No unregistered products are listed.
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?

EPA says an exempt label may name the pest but not link it to any specific disease.

Source and detail: US EPA

An exempt label may name the pest but not a disease: EPA's conditions page says minimum risk labels may not claim to control insects in a way linking them with any specific disease, and EPA's 1997 citronella fact sheet gives ticks that carry Lyme disease as a claim an exempt product must not bear. EPA also lists Repels all insects as a claim implying a misleading range of effectiveness.

Minimum risk pesticide labels may not bear claims to control rodent, insect or microbial pests in a way that links the pests with any specific disease. The label claim may only be for the pest, as a pest, and not as a disease vector.
US EPA, Conditions for Minimum Risk Pesticides, Condition 4, last updated August 31, 2026

The product must not bear claims either to control or mitigate microorganisms that pose a threat to human health, including but not limited to, disease transmitting bacteria or viruses, or claims to control insects, rodents carrying specific diseases, including, but not limited to, ticks that carry Lyme disease.
US EPA, R.E.D. FACTS, Oil of Citronella, EPA-738-F-97-002, February 1997

Statements about the effectiveness of the product as a pesticide or device. Examples: "Kills all insects" "Kills many insects" "Repels all insects" These label claims may imply a misleading range of effectiveness.
US EPA, Conditions for Minimum Risk Pesticides, Condition 6, last updated August 31, 2026

What do the agencies say about children?

No agency statement found; CDC's list of actives without age restriction includes no exempt plant oil.

Source and detail: CDC Yellow Book

No agency we read gives an age floor for the exempt oils as a class. CDC's statement that certain actives can be used on children without age restriction names DEET, picaridin, IR3535 and 2-undecanone; no exempt plant oil is on that list.

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)

What do CDC and WHO say about pregnancy?

No CDC, WHO or EPA statement found; CDC's pregnancy list of actives includes no exempt plant oil.

Source and detail: CDC Travelers' Health

No CDC, WHO or EPA statement on the exempt oils 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, and no exempt plant oil is on that list.

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?

EPA found minimal risk at market percentages in the 1990s; NPIC says essential oils are less widely studied.

Source and detail: NPIC, US EPA

EPA says that in the 1990s it evaluated the active ingredients in these unregistered products for safety and determined they posed minimal risk to human health in the percentages found in products on the market, the basis on which it exempted them. NPIC says the health risks and efficacy of essential oils have not been as widely studied as common insect repellents.

In the 1990s, EPA evaluated the active ingredients in these unregistered products for safety . We determined that the active ingredients posed minimal risk to human health in the percentages found in products on the market. Based on this minimal risk determination, we decided that products made from these ingredients should be exempt from registration. Note that products made from these ingredients have not been evaluated for effectiveness .
US EPA, Regulation of Skin-Applied Repellents, last updated June 25, 2026

The health risks and efficacy of essential oils have not been as widely studied as common insect repellents.
NPIC, Insect Repellents Fact Sheet, Oregon State University Extension Services, date reviewed February 2018

Does it damage plastics, fabrics or gear?

No agency statement found.

Source and detail: US EPA

No agency statement about the exempt oils and plastics, fabrics or gear was among the sources read. EPA says repellents that do not bear an EPA registration number have not been evaluated by EPA, and that it cannot advise consumers about the effectiveness of those products.

Repellents that do not bear an EPA registration number have not been evaluated by EPA, and EPA cannot advise consumers about the effectiveness of these products.
US EPA, Regulation of Skin-Applied Repellents, last updated June 25, 2026

What do the agencies say about pets?

Only EPA's general rule applies: nothing on pets unless the label says so.

Source and detail: EPA, US EPA

EPA's page on using insect repellents says not to use any product on pets or other animals unless the label clearly states it is for animals, and that most insect repellents do not work against lice or fleas. No agency statement specific to the exempt oils and pets was among the sources read.

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

Which studies are on the record?

One 2002 trial found a soybean-oil repellent averaged 94.6 minutes; other botanicals tested averaged under 20 minutes.

Source and detail: Fradin MS, Maia MF

Fradin and Day, New England Journal of Medicine, 2002: a soybean-oil-based repellent protected against mosquito bites for an average of 94.6 minutes, the other botanicals tested for a mean under 20 minutes, and the authors concluded that the non-DEET repellents available at the time could not be relied on for prolonged protection where mosquito-borne diseases are a substantial threat. Maia and Moore, Malaria Journal, 2011, found insufficient studies had followed WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme guidelines.

A soybean-oil-based repellent protected against mosquito bites for an average of 94.6 minutes. The IR3535-based repellent protected for an average of 22.9 minutes. All other botanical repellents we tested provided protection for a mean duration of less than 20 minutes. Repellent-impregnated wristbands offered no protection.
Fradin MS, Day JF. Comparative efficacy of insect repellents against mosquito bites. N Engl J Med. 2002;347(1):13-8. PMID 12097535

CONCLUSIONS: Currently available non-DEET repellents do not provide protection for durations similar to those of DEET-based repellents and cannot be relied on to provide prolonged protection in environments where mosquito-borne diseases are a substantial threat.
Fradin MS, Day JF. Comparative efficacy of insect repellents against mosquito bites. N Engl J Med. 2002;347(1):13-8. PMID 12097535

To date insufficient studies have followed standard WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme guidelines for repellent testing. There is a need for further standardized studies in order to better evaluate repellent compounds and develop new products that offer high repellency as well as good consumer safety.
Maia MF, Moore SJ. Plant-based insect repellents: a review of their efficacy, development and testing. Malar J. 2011;10 Suppl 1:S11. PMID 21411012

Put it beside another.

Other plant oils vs DEETOther plant oils vs PicaridinOther plant oils vs Permethrin

All ten actives 631 products by ingredient

Sources on this page.

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

US EPA, Regulation of Skin-Applied Repellents, last updated June 25, 2026. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/regulation-skin-applied-repellents
NPIC, Insect Repellents Fact Sheet, Oregon State University Extension Services, date reviewed February 2018. https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/repellents.html
US EPA, Minimum Risk Pesticides Exempted from FIFRA Registration, last updated August 31, 2026. https://www.epa.gov/minimum-risk-pesticides
US EPA, Conditions for Minimum Risk Pesticides, Condition 6, last updated August 31, 2026. https://www.epa.gov/minimum-risk-pesticides/conditions-minimum-risk-pesticides
Maia MF, Moore SJ. Plant-based insect repellents: a review of their efficacy, development and testing. Malar J. 2011;10 Suppl 1:S11. PMID 21411012. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21411012/
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
US EPA, Personal Insect Repellents and Minimum Risk Pesticides. https://www.epa.gov/minimum-risk-pesticides/personal-insect-repellents-and-minimum-risk-pesticides
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
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
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
Fradin MS, Day JF. Comparative efficacy of insect repellents against mosquito bites. N Engl J Med. 2002;347(1):13-8. PMID 12097535. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12097535/