Benefits of citronella oil include antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, anti-fungal, dewormer, detoxifying, diuretic, pain relief, insect repellent to name a few in addition to being extensively used in skin care products, perfume industry and as a preservative. Citronella oil benefit as insect repellent has recently taken the lime light with the big shots in the industry coming up with citronella insect repellents. Citronella oil mosquito repellents to be more precise. Citronella as a repellent has taken the mosquito repellent industry by storm with more and more parents demanding natural mosquito repellents for their kids.
The US and Canadian governments have approved use of citronella oil as an insect and mosquito repellent for their people. As a matter of fact, it is considered GRAS i.e. Generally, Recognized as safe in the US. Use of citronella is known to have minimal to zero side effects and toxicity to both humans and the environment. Additionally, it has been approved for use even for the more sensitive population viz children and old people.
We know that citronella oil mosquito repellents work but most people don't know how it works to keep people mosquito safe. Mosquitoes have receptors in their bodies that detect carbon dioxide and body odour given off by humans. Mosquitoes use the exhaled carbon dioxide and smells given off by the body to detect humans and prey on them for a blood meal three times the size of the mosquito.
Citronella oil contains compounds that mask the CO2 and human odours there by keeping the mosquitoes away from your kids. Kids and adults who are physically active sweat a lot and breathe deeper to make them easier for mosquitoes to locate. The lemony citrusy smell of the citronella oil masks these odours with its own which mosquitoes tend to dislike.
Citronella oil mosquito repellents are available in many forms like sprays, creams, lotions, gels, candles, patches, incense, vaporisers, etc. The sprays, creams and lotions usually need to be applied every 30-60 mins to effectively keep mosquitoes away. The candles and incense on the other hand need to be used in closed spaces and are not recommended outdoors since its effectiveness decreases due to the wind. The bands can be used for a longer duration of time and so can the patches. However, the bands and patches need to be stored in air tight containers when not in use since citronella oil is very volatile.
Citronella oils doubles as an insect repellent too. Using a few drops of citronella oil in the water used to clean floors will help keep the bugs away. Additionally, you can use the citronella essential oil in an aromatherapy diffuser to keep the mosquitoes and bugs away and your house smelling lemony fresh. The added benefit of using citronella insect repellents is that it also helps elevate your mood with its anti-depressant properties.
Citronella oil as a mosquito and insect repellent is effective, safe and pocket friendly. It helps keep your kids mosquito safe the natural way. Are we right or are we right?
