Citronella Yard Pellets and Bug Repellent

Citronella Description

• Citronella yard pellets, oil, candles, lamps and other citronella products are derived from the tropical citronella plant or grass, also referred to as the mosquito or deodorizer plant. The citronella plant reaches heights of 5 to 6 feet and flourishes when planted at least 1 foot from other plants or garden ornaments. Citronella foliage is evergreen while its flowers are lavender. This aromatic plant is native to southeast Asia and is grown as an ornamental grass in southern California and South Florida. It requires a long, warm growing season and full sun.

Insects Repelled By Citronella

• Insects repulsed by the aroma of citronella include blood-sucking mosquitoes, ticks and fleas. Both mosquitoes and ticks can be carriers for disease while fleas offer much in the way of suffering for those that are allergic. While citronella is repulsive to these insects, it does not cause them injury, though lotions containing 10 percent citronella oil can deter them for up to an hour. In the case of mosquitoes, the scent of citronella disorients them by dulling their senses and rendering them unable to locate a human body or other host.

Yard Pellets

• Citronella pellets generally come in bags that you can use to surround a picnic area, patio, porch or deck. In addition to repelling insects, citronella pellets and pellet bags may also be used around the perimeter of the home and yard to repel neighborhood cats, which are also repulsed by citronella scent. As with insects, citronella is not harmful to mammals.

Additional Bug Repellent Uses

• Additional uses for citronella as bug repellent include as an ingredient in lotions, sunblocks, soaps and bug sprays. The oil can be applied directly to skin as a bug repellent as body heat causes the oil to vaporize and discourage insects from biting, though it can occasionally result in mild skin irritation. Citronella sprays may be applied to clothing to help ward off blood-suckers while citronella-treated collars are an option for keeping fleas off dogs. Set out citronella candles on porch and patio tables to keep bugs away or plant citronella grass around your home or patio perimeter.