What is Citronella?

Many people are looking for natural pest control remedies, and oil of citronella is one of them. Oil of citronella comes from two types of grasses. This oil is a common flavoring agent in food and drinks. It’s also used as a naturally occurring insect repellent, especially for mosquitoes. Since this oil is considered safe to add to foods, it’s no surprise that it’s also considered a minimum risk pesticide.

How Citronella Affects Pests

Citronella doesn’t kill pests, but it can repel them. It may work by covering up scents that attract insects. This repellent effect doesn’t last forever. One study determined that undiluted citronella oil repels mosquitoes for two hours.

How Citronella Affects Wildlife

Some types of pesticides are toxic to wildlife, not just unwanted insects. Fortunately, that’s not the case with citronella oil. This oil is unlikely to harm wildlife. It’s only slightly toxic to fish, and nearly non-toxic to birds. Since it repels insects rather than killing them, it’s not likely to harm valuable insects such as bees.

Products That Contain Citronella

Citronella is found in many different pesticide products. Some of these products are meant to be applied to the skin, while others are meant to be used in outdoor areas. Common examples of citronella-containing products include candles, sprays, lotions, and pouches.

Some types of products are more effective than others, so it’s important to be a careful shopper. Citronella-containing products that you apply to your skin can offer mild protection from mosquitoes. On the other hand, repellant candles have little effectiveness.

Other Natural Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Away

Citronella isn’t the only natural way to keep mosquitoes away from your backyard. Removing mosquito breeding sites is another great strategy. Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Once a week, empty water from your bird baths, buckets, and other items that hold water. Make sure water storage containers such as rain barrels have tight lids to keep mosquitoes out.Mosquitoes and other flying pests can ruin your outdoor fun, so Orlando pest control remedies are essential. If you’re interested in natural remedies, try oil of citronella products. For help controlling mosquitoes, you can always call the experts at Apex.