Citronella plants (or Pelargonium citrosum) are commonly thought to be the best at repelling mosquitos. However, Lemongrass (or Cymbopogon) is superior.
Is there a difference between citronella and lemon grass?
“Though citronella and lemon grass look alike, both have different properties. Citronella oil is used in manufacturing mosquito repellents, perfumes, soaps and deodorants among other toiletries. Whereas, lemon grass can be used as herbal tea. It smells like lemon, but it tastes milder and sweeter.
What works better than citronella?
Products that contain oil of lemon eucalyptus, which comes from the gum eucalyptus tree, are a lot more effective than citronella, Hoffer said.
How effective is lemon grass against mosquitoes?
The Lemongrass plant is known to be an excellent mosquito repellant. According to a study conducted in 2011, around 95% mosquitos from a specific range of species were either killed or completely repelled due to the intense odor of lemongrass oil.
Can I plant citronella with lemongrass?
What to Plant with Lemongrass. Lemongrass contains citronella, a plant oil with pest repelling properties, especially mosquitoes. Using lemongrass among your patio plantings is an excellent way to enjoy your outdoors in summer without worrying about those disease transmitting insects.
What is the best deterrent for mosquitoes?
Read on to see which natural repellents work best to prevent mosquito bites.
- Lemon eucalyptus oil. Used since the 1940s, lemon eucalyptus oil is one of the more well-known natural repellents.
- Lavender.
- Cinnamon oil.
- Thyme oil.
- Greek catmint oil.
- Soybean oil.
- Citronella.
- Tea tree oil.
Why do mosquitoes hate lemongrass?
Lemongrass, also known as Cymbopogon citratus which contains Citronella oil, musk scents that attracts mosquitoes such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid found in human. In other words, by applying repellant with Citronella oil ingredients, it actually blocks the scents being sensed by mosquitoes.
What smell do mosquitoes hate?
Mosquitoes have an incredibly strong sense of smell, which they use to find accessible food sources. You can repel mosquitoes by using scents they hate, like lavender, peppermint oil, geranium oil, cinnamon bark oil, lemon eucalyptus oil, citronella oil, catnip, rosemary, and pine oil.
Which is better for mosquitoes lemongrass or citronella?
A completely different plant, the Cymbopogon (lemongrass) genus, produces the perfumed oil. Citronella plants (or Pelargonium citrosum) are commonly thought to be the best at repelling mosquitos. However, Lemongrass (or Cymbopogon) is superior.
How much lemongrass do you need to repel mosquitoes?
Make a lemongrass spray.
Put some water and lemongrass into a pot, and boil it until the water turns yellow. Cover the pot; put it in one corner, and let it sit overnight. After that, put the mixture in a medium-sized spray, and use it to scatter mosquitoes in the house.
What bugs does lemongrass keep away?
Lemongrass oil (Cymbopogon citratus) is an effective repellent against mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) and house flies (Diptera: Muscidae).
Does lemongrass attract bugs?
Lemongrass is not just a great mosquito and insect repellant plant, it also can be used as a seasoning and is often used in many Asian recipes. This flower can be added to your garden as a mosquito repellant plant, but it also naturally repels aphids!
What is lemongrass plant good for?
Lemongrass is a plant. The leaves and the oil are used to make medicine. Lemongrass is used for treating digestive tract spasms, stomachache, high blood pressure, convulsions, pain, vomiting, cough, achy joints (rheumatism), fever, the common cold, and exhaustion.
Is lemongrass toxic?
Lemongrass is LIKELY SAFE for most people when used in food amounts. It is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth, applied to the skin, or inhaled as aromatherapy short-term for medicinal purposes. Rarely, lemongrass oil might cause a rash of skin irritation when applied to the skin.
What animals does lemongrass repel?
Pests that Lemongrass Repels
- Flies.
- Ticks.
- Ants.
- Gnats.
Do spiders like lemongrass?
Lemon Grass
Citronella is the oil that is found in lemongrass. This oil repels spiders and prohibits them from coming back.
How can I be less attractive to mosquitoes?
There are plenty of theories on how best to repel unwanted insect attention, but here are our favourites:
- Disgust them with DEET.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff.
- Avoid bananas.
- Cause them turbulence.
- Stop them in their tracks.
- Dress to unimpress.
- Play the long game.
- Get rid of standing water.
How do you mosquito proof your house?
Maintain fly screens on windows, doors, vents and chimneys. Use insect sprays and repellents containing either picaridin or DEET, both inside and outside the house to kill mosquitoes. Remove stagnant water around the house so mosquitoes can not breed.
Do mosquitoes like the smell of lemon?
There are several essential oils that have demonstrated mosquito-repellent properties. A few of the best include: Lemon eucalyptus – The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has credited lemon eucalyptus oil as a reliable mosquito repellent. If you enjoy the bright smell of lemon, this oil is worth a try.
Do citronella plants really keep mosquitoes away?
Despite the claims made on “Mosquito Plants” (lemon-scented geranium or “citronella plant”) sold at big box stores, the plants themselves don’t repel mosquitoes. It’s the oil inside the leaves that have properties that can repel mosquitoes. You would have to crush the leaves to extract these oils.
Why do mosquitoes hate citronella?
In fact, citronella oil repels mosquitoes and does not kill them. Instead, it masks the carbon dioxide and lactic acid scents that mosquitoes are searching for. Generally, insects will have a much more difficult time locating you when you have applied citronella oil.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.