Citronella Oil is the most effective, and best studied, insect repellentcurrently on the market.

This
substance has a remarkable safety profileafter 40 years of worldwide use, but toxic reactions can occur
Allergy ormore dangerous disease. When Citronella Oil-based repellents are appliedin combination with
Rosemary Oil And Lemongrass Oil. Plant-basedrepellents are generally less effective Citronella Oil. Highly
sensitivepersons may want to take oral antihistamines to minimize cutaneousreactions to mosquito
bites.

Allicin is a pungent compound C6H10OS2 formed enzymatically in crushed garlic cloves that imparts the
distinctive smell to garlic and possesses antimicrobial properties. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary or
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allicin) Garlic can be used to repel a variety of crawling
and flying insects, including mosquitoes,”

according to Patrick Parker, SavATree Plant Health Care Program Director. One treatment with garlic is
effective for 2 weeks and can repel insects for up to one month. Moreover, garlic is easy on the
environment. Parker states, “It is a natural extract and does not affect insects that are beneficial to
suburban landscapes.” … Garlic bulbs contain an amino acid that converts to a substance called allicin
when crushed, blended or chopped. The characteristic odor released as a result of this process has
powerful properties. “When garlic extract is absorbed by a plant, biochemical changes take place in its
foliage which causes it to actively repelinsects,” says Parker… (http://www.savatree.com/garlic-insect-
repellent.html)

Citronella or Lemongrass is the most common natural ingredient used in formulating mosquito
repellents. The distinctive citronella aroma is a strong smell which masks other attractants to
mosquitoes, making it harder for them to find you. Although citronella is used in many forms, such as
scented candles, torches and citronella ‘scented’ plants, the living plant is more effective because it has a
stronger smell. (http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/04/5-easy-to-grow-mosquito-repelling-plants/)

Citronella oil is popular as a 'natural' insect repellent. Its mosquito repellent qualities have been verified
by research, including effectiveness in repelling Aedes aegypti (dengue fever mosquito). To be
continually effective most citronella repellent formulas need to be reapplied to the skin every 30 –60
minutes. Research also indicates that citronella oil is an effective repellent for body louse, head louse
and stable flies. A study conducted by ARPA in 1963 determined that hydroxycitronellal was an effective
repellent against both aquatic and terrestrial leeches. The US Environmental Protection Agency states
that citronella oil has little or no toxicity when used as a topical insect repellent, with no reports of
adverse effects of concern over a 60 year period.

Because some products are applied to human skin, EPA requires proper precautionary labeling to help
assure safe use. If used according to label instructions in the US, citronella is not expected to pose health
risks to people, including children and other sensitive populations. The US Food & Drug Administration
considers citronella oil as generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Canadian regulatory concerns with
citronella as an insect repellent are primarily based on data-gaps in toxicology, not on incidents. In
Europe, Ceylon type citronella oil is placed on the category 3 list, with some safety concern regarding
methyl eugenol. In the UK, E.U. legislation governing insect repellents came into force in September
2006, which banned citronella as an active ingredient in any insect repellent products. This applied to
both insect repellent for humans and animals. It can still be sold as a perfume, but must not be sold as
an insect repellent. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citronella_oil#Use_as_a_repellent)