Citronella for Fleas

Citronella is a common name for a perennial grass grown in certain Asian countries, and it has a long history as a repellent for insects such as mosquitoes and fleas. As an alternative to chemical-based insect repellents, citronella is widely added to products such as sprays and candles, while some citronella-based products are specifically marketed as a natural solution to keep dogs free of fleas.

Citronella

• According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), citronella has been used for more than 50 years as an insect repellent, and is particularly effective in repelling mosquitoes, biting flies and fleas. The active insect-repelling ingredient is the oil extracted from the dried citronella grass. Citronella oil has a tart, citruslike odor that can make it difficult for an insect to locate a host via its sense of smell. It's important to note, however, that citronella merely repels insects, and does not kill them.

Characteristics

• Citronella oil is usually colorless, although it may have a slight yellow tinge, and is identifiable by its woodsy, lemony odor. The oil can be harmful if ingested, although the quantity would have to be significant to cause damage. In fact, the relatively low toxicity level of citronella oil allows it to be used throughout the home with no negative side effects. There are two types of citronella grass, commonly called Ceylon citronella and Java citronella. Java citronella is considered superior due to the grass's higher oil yield.

Dogs

• There are commercially available products containing citronella that can be used to keep a dog free of fleas, including sprays and collars. The Daily Puppy website, however, outlines a homemade citronella recipe. Place 15 drops of undiluted citronella oil in a spray bottle, filling the remainder with water. Shake well, then spray liberally on your dog's coat (spray some directly on your hands to work it into the area around the dog's head, taking care not to get directly inside his eyes, ears or mouth). For additional protection, soak cotton balls in this citronella mixture and leave them in areas of the house that are not regularly vacuumed. Carpets and rugs should also be sprayed.

Effectiveness Questioned

• Although the EPA notes that the effectiveness of citronella is dependent upon such factors as concentration and the passage of time after application, the website of U.K.-based Novartis Animal Health questions the effectiveness of citronella at repelling fleas. Fleas are ectoparasites, which means they will remain on a pet until they either die or are physically removed through grooming. Since an adult female flea can lay hundreds of eggs during her lifespan (typically just a few days), Novartis maintains the position that the only effective way to remain free of fleas is to kill them. It should be noted that Novartis manufactures a chemical-based flea control product for dogs.