The World Health Organization says that 725,000 people die from diseases caused by mosquitos. Most of them are caused by Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex mosquitos. You should try a safe and natural mosquito repellent, preferably one that features citronella oil and other toxin-free ingredients, to stay safe.
They may be small in size, but there are few things more annoying than pesky mosquitoes buzzing and whirring around your head, and worse, their pinprick bites make you itchy and irritated. The worst part, though, is that you don't get a chance to swat them until they've bitten you, and since they are notorious disease carriers, that's not a risk worth taking.
The best course of action? Repel them. Put up a shield that has them turning those nasty little proboscises in the other direction. But before you start grumbling about chemical repellents, there are natural, aromatic repellents like citronella oil that focus on keeping the insects away, not humans. Let's take a closer look.
What is Citronella Oil?
Citronella is an essential oil derived by distilling the leaves of the Cymbopogon genus, lemon balm, or lemongrass. Not surprisingly, it has a citrusy aroma with floral notes. It has a yellowish-brown hue and contains compounds like geraniol, citronellol, and citronellal.
Like many essential oils, this grass-based oil has been used in traditional medicine in Chinese and other Southeast Asian cultures. Its medicinal uses include the treatment of rashes, infections, and other health conditions. The oil's strong aroma makes it an effective insect repellent.
Using Citronella Oil as a Mosquito Repellent
Around 90% of brands with natural insect repellents today use citronella oil as an active ingredient. It is often combined with other fragrant ingredients that keep bugs off your living spaces. And, of course, the citrusy fragrance alleviates your mood too, thus helping you feel refreshed and energetic.
As mentioned earlier, the pungent aroma makes citronella oil a good insect repellent. That's because it masks scents like lactic acid and carbon dioxide that attract mosquitoes and other insects toward you. Some believe this grass-based oil kills mosquitos, but that's not true. The oil can, however, be used to treat itchiness caused by mosquito bites.
We recommend using our Natural Mosquito Repellent Patches to get better results. These are made of Eucalyptus Oil, Peppermint Oil, and Lemon Oil and offer a safe and simple way to keep mosquitoes away.
Chemical-based insect repellents are often regarded as more effective and long-lasting than citronella oil, which has an efficacy period of 20-30 mins and needs to be reapplied. However, these chemical-laden repellents also come with side effects. Hence natural repellents like citronella oil remain the preferred method to keep mosquitoes away.
How to Use Citronella Oil to Repel Mosquitoes?
The fascinating thing about using essential oils is their flexibility. You can put them to work in various ways to achieve results. The same applies when using citronella oil to drive away mosquitoes. Some of them include:
1. Citronella Candles
Made by blending the oil into paraffin or beeswax, citronella candles can be used both indoors and outdoors, like on the porch or veranda. They are easily found in stores, or you can try making them at home too.
The best way to use them is to place several candles in and around the area you would like to keep insect-free. Once lit, the fragrance is slowly released into the air and acts as a deterrent to mosquitoes.
Caution: You should be careful with open flames and take necessary precautions based on the space. Its fragrance can be dispersed quickly and not be potent enough to repel insects in large open areas with free-flowing air.
2. Citronella Torches
Citronella torches are better suited for outdoor get-togethers and camping activities. The torches are essentially large oil laps that diffuse the fragrance into the air as they burn, banishing airborne insects.
They are also used by some elite hotels and event planners to host evening barbeques or garden parties.
3. Citronella Bath Oils
A widespread use for citronella oil is in bath oils and soaps. In this form, the oil can be applied directly onto the skin while bathing, forming a protective barrier and masking the scent that draws mosquitos in.
Note: Its efficacy has a short time limit, making it unreliable.
4. Citronella Moisturizer
Take a dollop of your regular skincare moisturizer, add a drop of citronella oil, and apply it to the skin until it is completely absorbed. This is a widely used hack to use this grass-based oil as a natural repellent.
An emulsion of oil and water, this moisturizer is easy to apply and quickly absorbed into the skin without causing greasiness or white residues. When applied post bathing, it offers protection from pests for a longer duration than bath oils. Citronella lotions or sprays are other options for skin application that can be made at home.
The key is to ensure that you get the dilution right. More is not always better when working with essential oils. Avoid contact with the eyes and face. For long-lasting protection, it is recommended to reapply the moisturizer, lotion, or spray as frequently as needed.
5. Citronella Sprays
An insect repellent spray can be used indoors and outdoors. Mamaearth's Natural Mosquito Repellent Spray has citronella, lemongrass, and peppermint essential oils. Combined, these natural and toxin-free ingredients keep mosquitoes and insects away. Spray it approximately 15 - 20 cm away from the skin and lightly massage it to let it absorb.
6. Citronella Fabric Roll-ons and Patches
One of the simplest ways to topically apply citronella oil is using a roll-on. They usually contain a carefully balanced concentrated mixture of eucalyptus and citronella oil and boast of being able to guard against mosquitoes for around eight hours.
All you need to do is apply a few drops on your clothes or stick on a patch, and you are ready to stand up to the little fiends. Our Natural Mosquito Repellent Patches come in a zip lock pouch that maintains the efficacy of the patches. You can stick these patches on the prams and cots to keep the mosquitoes away.
7. Citronella Wristband
Devised for children, this wristband offers long-lasting protection from mosquitoes. It has been designed to provide protection for a few hours and negate the need for constant reapplication.
Just a Piece of Advice
While citronella oil mosquito repellents are effective, they can cause mild eye and skin irritation. Sometimes, it is common to get an allergic reaction, so test it before you use it to avoid inflammation and other symptoms. If using citronella oil, especially in DIY projects, it is essential to check the dilution and follow instructions carefully.
When it comes to topical applications, you should do a patch test before applying it all over the body. You may also consult an expert before using it is also a good idea. As with all essential oils, a direct application is not recommended for pregnant and nursing women or infants.
The takeaway
Citronella oil's benefits go beyond that of an insect repellent, but it makes an effective one. Unlike harsh chemical-based repellents, it is all-natural and aromatic, keeping mosquitos at bay without harming them. And while it is flexible, caution must be taken when using it, especially when applying it to the skin, to avoid triggering irritation or allergic reactions.
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