Lemongrass vs Citronella for Mosquitoes: Effectiveness & Safety Compared
Key Takeaways
- Lemongrass and citronella come from the same Cymbopogon genus, but only citronella carries regulatory recognition as an EPA-listed mosquito repellent.
- Lemongrass's citral gives it real but modest repellent power, with topical formulas holding off bites for about two to three hours.
- Citronella's citronellal, citronellol, and geraniol trigger stronger mosquito avoidance and back its EPA minimum-risk and Health Canada reviewed status.
- Both oils evaporate within hours, so sweat, breeze, and open air strip away protection no matter which grass you choose.
- NatPat BuzzPatch stickers hold a citronella-based blend on clothing and release it gradually, skipping reapplication with a DEET-free formula safe for kids aged 0 and up.
Which Repels Mosquitoes Better, Citronella or Lemongrass?
Citronella repels mosquitoes more effectively than lemongrass. Most people treat the two as interchangeable because they come from the same family of grasses, but that assumption glosses over a real difference in how strongly each one interferes with a mosquito's sense of smell.
The bigger problem shows up regardless of which oil you pick. Sprays and candles lose potency the moment they hit open air, sweat, or a breeze, so the real decision isn't just citronella versus lemongrass, it's how the oil reaches your skin and how long it stays there.
That delivery question is exactly what NatPat BuzzPatch was built to solve. Instead of asking parents to reapply spray every few hours, BuzzPatch stickers hold a citronella blend on clothing and let it release slowly throughout the day.
NatPat: Natural Stickers That Replace Sprays, Lotions & Candles
Trusted by 1 Million+ Customers | 4.45★ Trustscore (18,424 Reviews)
Protection and Comfort, Without the Mess: Skip the sprays and lotions. NatPat's wearable stickers use natural, essential-oil-based formulas to tackle everyday challenges, from mosquito and tick protection to better sleep, calmer moods, sharper focus, and allergy relief, for the whole family and even pets.
Why Families Choose NatPat:
- ✓ Non-toxic and DEET-free
- ✓ Safe for kids aged 0+
- ✓ Designed in Australia
- ✓ FREE shipping on every order
- ✓ 365-day money-back guarantee (less than 0.5% of buyers ever need it)
Real protection, real comfort, zero compromise.
Lemongrass for Repelling Mosquitoes
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a tall, fragrant grass used in cooking across Southeast Asia. Its oil contains citral as its primary active compound, which gives it that sharp, lemony scent.
That same citral content is what gives lemongrass oil its insect-repelling ability, though direct head-to-head comparisons of the two oils on human skin are limited.
Lemongrass is typically used for cooking in Southeast Asia.
How Effective Is Lemongrass?
Studies support lemongrass oil as a legitimate mosquito repellent, but with a significant limitation: protection is short-lived.
Topical lemongrass formulations have shown roughly 50% or better bite deterrence for about two to three hours, so you need to reapply well before a full day outdoors is over. Compare that to DEET-based products, which can last several hours, and you start to see where lemongrass falls short for extended outdoor use.
That said, for short-duration protection in low-mosquito-pressure environments, it absolutely works.
Lemongrass Safety Considerations
Lemongrass oil is generally considered safe for use on adults and older children when properly diluted. Never apply undiluted essential oils directly to skin, as they can cause irritation or sensitization.
Lemongrass oil is widely used in food, cosmetics, and aromatherapy, giving it a well-established safety profile at appropriate concentrations. Always do a patch test before applying any essential oil-based repellent, especially on children with sensitive skin.
Citronella for Repelling Mosquitoes
Citronella oil is one of the most well-known components of natural mosquito repellents. Extracted from Cymbopogon nardus or Cymbopogon winterianus, it contains the compounds doing most of the repellent work, including citronellal, citronellol, and geraniol.
Mosquito olfactory receptors detect these compounds and trigger avoidance behavior, making a treated target less attractive.
Citronella and lemongrass belong to the same genus, but they differ in terms of mosquito-repelling properties and smell.
How Effective Is Citronella?
Citronella is the more established of the two in regulatory terms. It appears on the EPA's minimum-risk (25(b)) list in the US and is a registered repellent active in Canada. Its compounds act on mosquito olfactory receptors and trigger avoidance, reducing landing and biting for a limited window after application.
That said, citronella oil is not a set-and-forget solution. Even at its best, it requires frequent reapplication.
The delivery method matters enormously too. A citronella candle burning on a breezy patio disperses the oil too quickly to be truly effective. Topical applications and patch-based delivery systems keep the compounds closer to where they need to work: on your skin.
Safety Considerations
Citronella has a long history of use, though Health Canada has reviewed skin-applied citronella repellents since a 2004 re-evaluation flagged data gaps.
One area where citronella draws some caution is its use on infants under two years old. As with most essential oils, very young children have more permeable skin and more sensitive respiratory systems. If you're protecting a baby or toddler, look for products specifically tested and formulated for that age group rather than reaching for an adult-strength spray.
Lemongrass vs Citronella for Mosquitoes: Comparison Table
| Factor | Citronella | Lemongrass |
|---|---|---|
| Main Compounds | Citronellal, citronellol, and geraniol | Citral |
| Repellent Strength | Triggers avoidance via olfactory receptor | Triggers avoidance; less studied |
| Reapplication | Frequent | Frequent |
| Kid Safety | Guidance points to age 2 and up; skin use under regulatory review | Safe for adults and older kids when diluted |
| Also Repels | Mosquitoes; some other flying insects | Mosquitoes; some activity against other insects |
| Best Delivery | Stickers and topicals kept close to skin | Diluted topical use |
| Best For | Short outings, or as part of a sticker/clothing-based system | Short, low-mosquito outings |
Keep Citronella Protection Going Longer with NatPat BuzzPatch
The NatPat BuzzPatch is designed as stickers that apply to clothing.
The plant does matter: citronella is the more established of the two, thanks to citronellal and geraniol. But both oils evaporate fast, so picking citronella only gets you halfway. The other half is whether the delivery method keeps those compounds working while your family is still outside.
BuzzPatch handles that second half. Our stickers hold citronella oil against clothing instead of skin, releasing it gradually with no sprays, creams, or mid-day reapplying. Grab a pack of BuzzPatch stickers before your next day outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is lemongrass the same as citronella?
Lemongrass and citronella are not the same plant, but they are closely related. Both belong to the Cymbopogon genus, and citronella oil is primarily extracted from Cymbopogon nardus and Cymbopogon winterianus, the citronella grasses.
Does lemongrass repel mosquitoes?
Yes, lemongrass oil does repel mosquitoes, thanks to its citral content. However, it is the less established of the two as a repellent ingredient and needs regular reapplication, with studies showing meaningful protection for roughly two to three hours at most. For short outdoor sessions in low-mosquito environments, it works well.
What insects does citronella repel?
Citronella oil is best known for repelling mosquitoes, but it also affects other flying and biting insects. The compounds in citronella oil help deter mosquitoes and some other flying insects.
What smell do mosquitoes hate?
Mosquitoes are highly sensitive to certain scent compounds that interfere with their ability to detect the carbon dioxide and lactic acid signals they use to find a host. Compounds shown to have repellent activity include citronellal, geraniol, citral, and eucalyptol.
Do you stick a NatPat BuzzPatch on clothes?
Yes, NatPat BuzzPatch stickers are designed to be applied directly to clothing rather than skin. This makes them particularly well-suited for children. Simply peel and stick to a shirt, pants, or jacket, and the citronella oil releases gradually to create a protective zone around your child.
*Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting any new treatment, remedy, or product, especially if you have allergies, sensitive skin, or an existing medical condition. For more information, visit NatPat.