Citronella - has it got much of a smell?

Has anyone here used this oil ?
I am considering getting some as an insect repellent.
Putting a dollop on the window sills to deter insects .....
Has it got much of a smell, tried lavender oil and the sun makes it very potent !

Re: Citronella - has it got much of a smell?

I bought some as a cat repellent for furniture once - but it smelt horrible! Not sure if that was because of all the other chemicals in with it tbh.

I would be interested in smelling the pure essential oil tho...

Re: Citronella - has it got much of a smell?

Yes I've heard it deters cats and is used to spray horses to deter flies .....
I cant tolerate strong smells though - so will give this a miss ....

Re: Citronella - has it got much of a smell?

What insects are you trying to repel exactly Patsy? For instance, my father in law told me that there's some chemical in artificial sweeteners that attract ants who will carry it back to the nest & kill the rest of them!
Who knew we were putting ant killer in our coffee /tea, ugh.

Re: Citronella - has it got much of a smell?

Patsy there are some plants that you can grow with citronella/lemon smell to keep the mozzies away.
1. Citronella Grass (a clumping plant)Also, when buying Citronella, make sure you buy Cybopogon nardus or Citronella winterianus,
2.Horse Mint
3. Marigolds
4 Ageratum
5.Catnip

Re: Citronella - has it got much of a smell?

Citronella is supposed to work, they sell candles that smell of it over here, both for indoors and outside in the garden, to keep off the mozzies, I would say they work to some extent.

It is one to be careful of for personal use as, like bergamot, it can make skin more sensitive. And it does have a pretty strong smell, so it might not be for you, Patsy.

Re: Citronella - has it got much of a smell?

We tried it a couple of years ago the smell was far too strong for us and my husband has hardly any sense of smell so I would give it a miss Patsy, I don't think you will like it.

Re: Citronella - has it got much of a smell?

Thanks to everyone - much appreciated.
I don't have a garden Sandi .......
Just don't like little critters in my home, its not too bad though - just me being thorough

Re: Citronella - has it got much of a smell?

Would you consider a window box, Patsy? Then you might try one or two of the plants suggested.

Re: Citronella - has it got much of a smell?

Might be able to grow some of them indoors, what about some sort of fly screen ? netting or the like ?