Mosquitoes gone. In Style!

Lemongrass as a Mosquito Repellent

Hello everyone,

It is actually the scent or smell of lemongrass that repels mosquitoes.
When we talk about lemongrass as a mosquito repellent, we’re referring specifically to its odor, which naturally keeps mosquitoes away.

Simply having a lemongrass plant in your yard or home is not enough to repel mosquitoes.
To drive mosquitoes away from a room, you need to maintain the smell of lemongrass in the air. Likewise, to keep them away from your skin, you need a solution that allows your skin to retain the scent of lemongrass nearby or on it.

How are lemongrass-based mosquito repellents made?

Most mosquito repellents made with lemongrass are formulations that use lemongrass essential oil.
A good approach to creating effective repellents includes the following steps:

1. Extracting the scent

This means extracting the essential oil of lemongrass. This can be done through various distillation methods.

2. Diffusing the essential oil in a space

You can diffuse lemongrass oil using:

• An electronic diffuser
• Reed diffusers
• A spray perfume or mist

In all of these uses, essential oil formulations are generally preferred, as pure essential oil is too concentrated to be used directly and safely.

3. Retaining the scent on the skin

To keep the scent on your body, a good method is to dilute lemongrass essential oil in a carrier oil (like coconut, almond, or jojoba oil).
⚠️ Never apply pure lemongrass essential oil directly to the skin. It must always be diluted.

⚠️ Warning!

🚫 Corrosive

Like most essential oils, lemongrass essential oil can be corrosive to human tissue.
It should always be used with caution, especially if not diluted.

For very sensitive skin, such as that of babies, lemongrass hydrosol (floral water) is often used instead of essential oil in skincare formulations.

🚫 Allergies

Yes, some people are allergic to lemongrass – its scent or even its infusion.
Everyone’s body reacts differently.
That’s why, with any new cosmetic product, it’s always best to test on a small patch of skin before applying more broadly.

Precautions

• Keep out of reach of children
• Always dilute before use
• Only trained professionals should use essential oils undiluted — they are expected to know the correct dosage and application
• Store away from light — this is why essential oils are usually packaged in colored glass bottles

Questions or comments? Feel free to reach out in the comments or by inbox.

Pavel Ayimnei
First published Douala, April 1st, 2024, on facebook
Translated into English and republished July 1st, 2025