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Citronella oil is an essential oil which is made from a variety of Lemon Grass named Cymbopogon. There are two types of citronella oil named Java and Ceylon which are derived from Cymbopogon winterianus and Cymbopogon nardus grasses respectively [1] . The lemon scent of citronella is used as a natural insect repellent in the form of candles, oil burners (citronella torches), sprays, lotions and soaps. Research has confirmed the effectiveness of citronella in repelling mosquitoes for short periods. For longer lasting protection or when in areas at risk from serious mosquito borne diseases, chemicals such as DEET offer better protection.[2]
Steps
Using a Citronella Repellent Product
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1Place several candles around the area you will be using to ensure coverage of the citronella scent.[3] Citronella candles are suitable for repelling insects and mosquitoes in the home and on porch areas. Generally they won't be effective in areas with free flowing air since the scent is dispersed too quickly and won't be strong enough to repel insects; the range of effectiveness is small.[4]
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2Use citronella torches in the garden. They are oil burners suitable for garden use in repelling air borne insects. These are normally available from garden centers. They are great for use during evening barbecues and other garden events. Place several citronella torches around the garden area you wish to protect.Advertisement
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3Try citronella soaps and bath oils. These can be applied when bathing before contact with insects or mosquitoes is likely. Be aware that the strength of the repellent effect may not be lasting and lotions or candles may be more effective.
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4Consider a wrist band, especially for kids. Citronella wrist bands are available that are advertised to offer long lasting repellent against insects and mosquitoes. In reality they will only be effective as long as the citronella scent is strong. You may find them useful for use on your children as an alternative to repeatedly applying a repellent lotion or spray.
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5Try lotion or spray. Citronella lotions and sprays are commonly available or you may make you own. Citronella is generally considered safe for application to the skin but apply with care and be wary of any allergic reactions. Apply the lotion or spray to exposed skin and avoid contact with the face and eyes. For citronella to be effective it needs to be re-applied often, at least once an hour.
Making Your Own Citronella Lotion Spray
You can make your own homemade citronella lotion spray by combining ingredients into a spray bottle.
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1Fill a spray bottle until 1/2 full with distilled or boiled water (after it has cooled).
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2Fill the spray bottle until 3/4 full with either Witch hazel, rubbing alcohol or vodka.
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3Optionally add 1 or 2 table spoons of either vegetable glycerin, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, olive oil, or neem oil.
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4Fill the remainder of the bottle with a mix of citronella oil and other essential oils. Choose from clove, lemongrass, rose geranium, bergamot, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, tea tree, cajeput, cypress, eucalyptus, cedar, catnip and lavender essential oils.
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5Shake the bottle vigorously to mix the lotion spray. Label the bottle accurately so that the ingredients and usage are clear.
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6Shake the bottle each time before use. Spray the lotion on to exposed skin and re-apply every hour.
Community Q&A
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QuestionCan I put citronella oil in water when I wash the floor?
Community AnswerYes, but you still need soap or detergent. Use 10 drops of citronella to a pint of warm water. Open windows to hasten fresh air drying. The main purpose for using citronella is to discourage insects. If you're simply after a fresh aroma, use pine, eucalyptus, cedar or any woodsy essential oils.
Warnings
- Citronella can cause increased heart rates and allergic skin reactions for some people. Avoid using if you are pregnant and on children under 6 months [5] . Always perform a spot test to a small piece of skin for 30 minutes to test for any reaction before applying to more skin.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- In geographical areas where mosquitoes are known to carry serious diseases such as Malaria, Dengue and Zika virus use a repellent containing DEET which has been shown to be the most effective mosquito repellent and can last up to 10 hours[6] .⧼thumbs_response⧽
References
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citronella_oil
- ↑ http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/01/30/464740275/whats-the-best-way-to-keep-mosquitoes-from-biting
- ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8827606
- ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18437832
- ↑ http://npic.orst.edu/ingred/citronella.html
- ↑ http://jinsectscience.oxfordjournals.org/content/15/1/140
