Picaridin vs Citronella

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.

Picaridinicaridin, KBR 3023

CitronellaCymbopogon oil

Per EPA's tool

Picaridin

Registered; 55 products in EPA's tool; 3 to 14 h mosquitoes, 5 to 14 h ticks.

Citronella

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

What is it, and where does it come from?

Picaridin

A human-made compound, NPIC says, widely used in Europe and Australia, available in the U.S. only since 2005.

Source and detail: NPIC

Picaridin is a human-made compound first made in the 1980s; NPIC's picaridin fact sheet says it was made to resemble the natural compound piperine, found in the group of plants used to produce black pepper. NPIC says it was widely used as an insect repellent in Europe and Australia but has only been available in the United States since 2005.

Picaridin repels insects, ticks and chiggers. It is a human-made (synthetic) compound first made in the 1980s. It was made to resemble the natural compound piperine, which is found in the group of plants that are used to produce black pepper.
NPIC, Picaridin General Fact Sheet

Picaridin has been widely used as an insect repellent in Europe and Australia, but has only been available in the United States since 2005.
NPIC, Picaridin General Fact Sheet

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

How does EPA treat it?

Picaridin

Registered since 2001; EPA's 2005 fact sheet says normal use does not present a health concern.

Source and detail: EPA

Registered: EPA's 2005 picaridin fact sheet gives 2001 as the year of initial registration. The same fact sheet says picaridin generally is of low acute toxicity and that, based on the available toxicological data, the Agency believes normal use of picaridin does not present a health concern to the general U.S. population.

Year of Initial Registration: 2001
EPA, New Pesticide Fact Sheet: Picaridin, May 2005

Picaridin generally is of low acute toxicity, and based on the available toxicological data, the Agency believes that the normal use of Picaridin does not present a health concern to the general U.S. population
EPA, New Pesticide Fact Sheet: Picaridin, May 2005

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

What strengths are registered, and does strength change protection?

Picaridin

EPA lists products at 5, 5.75, 7, 10 and 20%; CDC says higher concentrations generally protect longer.

Source and detail: CDC Yellow Book, EPA

No EPA page we read states a picaridin percentage range in prose; EPA's 2005 picaridin fact sheet lists registered formulations at 5 and 7 percent (pump sprays), 10 percent (aerosol) and 5.75 percent (towelette wipes), and EPA's repellent search tool lists 20 percent picaridin lotion, spray and wipe products. CDC's Yellow Book says higher concentrations of active ingredients generally provide longer protection, regardless of the active ingredient.

Registered: 96.8% a.i. Technical; 5% & 7% pump sprays; 10% aerosol spray and 5.75% towelette wipes
EPA, New Pesticide Fact Sheet: Picaridin, May 2005

Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion | 14 | 14 | Picaridin | 20 | Sawyer Products | 39967-50-58188
EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results for picaridin, cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s

Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray | 12 | 12 | Picaridin | 20 | The PIC20 Group, LLC | 93221-1
EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results for picaridin, cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s

Natrapel 8 Hour Insect Repellent Wipes | 8 | 8 | Picaridin | 20 | Tender Corp. | 56575-14
EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results for picaridin, cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s

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)

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

How long does EPA say it protects?

Picaridin

EPA's tool lists one 20% lotion at 14 hours, a spray at 12, wipes at 8.

Source and detail: EPA, U.S. EPA

EPA's repellent search tool lists 20 percent picaridin products by form. Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion, EPA Reg. No. 39967-50-58188, lists 14 hours for mosquitoes and ticks; Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, lists 12 hours, and Natrapel 8 Hour Insect Repellent Wipes, EPA Reg. No. 56575-14, lists 8. EPA says protection times vary because testing conditions differ, and that the tool's database was last updated in June 2019.

Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion | 14 | 14 | Picaridin | 20 | Sawyer Products | 39967-50-58188
EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results for picaridin, cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s

Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray | 12 | 12 | Picaridin | 20 | The PIC20 Group, LLC | 93221-1
EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results for picaridin, cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s

Natrapel 8 Hour Insect Repellent Wipes | 8 | 8 | Picaridin | 20 | Tender Corp. | 56575-14
EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results for picaridin, 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

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

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

Picaridin

A 20% label names mosquitoes, ticks, biting, stable, black and sand flies, gnats, chiggers and Scottish biting midges.

Source and detail: EPA stamped master label

The master label for a 20 percent picaridin spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, claims 12 hour protection from ticks and mosquitoes and up to 8 hours against biting flies, stable flies, black flies, gnats, chiggers, sand flies and Scottish biting midges. The label's bracketed wording on disease is "mosquitoes that may transmit West Nile Virus, Chikungunya, Dengue [Fever], and Zika [Virus] and ticks carrying Lyme disease and tick borne encephalitis."

[Long-lasting, 12 hour effective protection from ticks and mosquitoes including mosquitoes that may transmit West Nile Virus, Chikungunya, Dengue [Fever], and Zika [Virus] and ticks carrying Lyme disease and tick borne encephalitis.] [Repels biting flies, stable flies, black flies, gnats, chiggers, sand flies, and Scottish biting midges for up to 8 hours.]
EPA stamped master label, Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, issued January 9, 2018

Picaridin ……………………………………………………………………….……20.00%
EPA stamped master label, Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, issued January 9, 2018

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

What do the agencies say about children?

Picaridin

No age limit, CDC says; one label's own wording says children 1 year and older.

Source and detail: CDC Yellow Book, EPA stamped master label

CDC's Yellow Book says insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535 and 2-undecanone can be used on children without age restriction. The accepted master label for a 20 percent picaridin spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, carries the optional bracketed line "Suitable for every day use on adults and children 1 year and older," one product's wording rather than an agency statement.

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)

[Suitable for every day use on adults and children 1 year and older]
EPA stamped master label, Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, issued January 9, 2018

Picaridin ……………………………………………………………………….……20.00%
EPA stamped master label, Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, issued January 9, 2018

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

What do CDC and WHO say about pregnancy?

Picaridin

CDC lists it for pregnant and breastfeeding women; NPIC found no human data on reproductive effects.

Source and detail: CDC, NPIC

CDC's Preventing Mosquito Bites page lists picaridin among the active ingredients it names, and says that when used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are "proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women." NPIC's picaridin technical fact sheet states that no human data were found on the teratogenic or reproductive effects of picaridin.

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)

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)

No human data were found on the teratogenic or reproductive effects of picaridin.
NPIC, Picaridin Technical Fact Sheet (archived)

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

What do NPIC and EPA report about absorption and toxicity?

Picaridin

NPIC says under 6% absorbs through human skin; EPA calls it low in acute toxicity.

Source and detail: EPA, NPIC

NPIC says 60 percent of picaridin applied to rat skin went through it, while in humans less than 6 percent was absorbed; both excrete almost all in urine within a day. EPA's 2005 fact sheet says technical grade picaridin has low acute oral, dermal and inhalation toxicity, Toxicity Category IV for acute inhalation toxicity and primary dermal irritation, and Category III for acute oral and acute dermal toxicity and primary eye irritation.

When researchers applied picaridin to the skin of rats, 60% of it went through the skin. In humans, less than 6% of the picaridin applied to skin was absorbed. Picaridin may be broken down once it is in the body. Rats and humans excrete almost all of it in their urine within a day of exposure.
NPIC, Picaridin General Fact Sheet

Technical grade Picaridin has low acute oral, dermal and inhalation toxicity. It is classified as Toxicity Category IV for acute inhalation toxicity and primary dermal irritation and Toxicity Category III for acute oral, acute dermal and primary eye irritation.
EPA, New Pesticide Fact Sheet: Picaridin, May 2005

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

Does it damage plastics, fabrics or gear?

Picaridin

Two labels claim no harm to plastics, fishing line, fabric and gear; no agency statement found.

Source and detail: EPA stamped label, EPA stamped master label

Two accepted 20 percent picaridin labels carry no-damage claims: EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, bracketed, "Won't Damage Fishing Lines, Plastics, or other Synthetic Materials"; EPA Reg. No. 54287-22, "Will [Does] not harm gear and equipment" and "Will [Does] not harm plastics and fabric."

[Won't Damage Fishing Lines, Plastics, or other Synthetic Materials]
EPA stamped master label, Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, issued January 9, 2018

18. Will [Does] not harm gear and equipment
EPA stamped label, Associated Registrations Inc. 20% picaridin repellent, EPA Reg. No. 54287-22, July 17, 2019

19. Will [Does] not harm plastics and fabric
EPA stamped label, Associated Registrations Inc. 20% picaridin repellent, EPA Reg. No. 54287-22, July 17, 2019

Picaridin ……………………………………………………………………….……20.00%
EPA stamped master label, Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, issued January 9, 2018

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

What do the agencies say about pets?

Picaridin

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

Source and detail: EPA

No agency or label we read covers picaridin use on pets. EPA tells consumers not to use any product on pets or other animals unless the label clearly states it is for animals.

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

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

Which studies are on the record?

Picaridin

One trial found 20% picaridin and 20% DEET performed equally, with 97.4% protection over five hours.

Source and detail: Carroll JF, Van Roey K

Van Roey 2014 (PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases) reported an overall five-hour protection rate of 97.4 percent, with picaridin 20 percent performing equally well as DEET 20 percent. Carroll 2010 (Journal of Medical Entomology) found no difference in effectiveness between the 20 percent spray and lotion formulations of picaridin, and concluded that deet, picaridin and IR3535 provided lasting protection against lone star ticks as tested.

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. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2014 Dec 18;8(12):e3326. PMID 25522134

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

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

Sources on this page.

20 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.

NPIC, Picaridin General Fact Sheet. https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/PicaridinGen.html
EPA, New Pesticide Fact Sheet: Picaridin, May 2005. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/reg_actions/registration/fs_PC-070705_01-May-05.pdf
EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results for picaridin, cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s. https://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s/search_results.cfm
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, Find the Repellent that is Right for You. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you
EPA stamped master label, Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, issued January 9, 2018. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/093221-00001-20180109.pdf
CDC, Preventing Mosquito Bites (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-16). https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/prevention/index.html
NPIC, Picaridin Technical Fact Sheet (archived). https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/archive/Picaridintech.html
EPA stamped label, Associated Registrations Inc. 20% picaridin repellent, EPA Reg. No. 54287-22, July 17, 2019. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/054287-00022-20190717.pdf
EPA, Using Insect Repellents Safely and Effectively. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/using-insect-repellents-safely-and-effectively
Van Roey K, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2014 Dec 18;8(12):e3326. PMID 25522134. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25522134/
Carroll JF, et al. J Med Entomol. 2010 Jul;47(4):699-704. PMID 20695288. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20695288/
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
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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