Are Citronella plants safe for pets?

Citronella is toxic to pets

Citronella candles and oils are a popular mosquito repellent, but the citronella plant is toxic to pets. Use caution when using citronella products around your pet, and make sure they don't have access to any citronella plants in your garden.

Similarly, it is asked, are Citronella plants harmful to cats?

Plants like citronella, eucalyptus and tansy are known for their pest-repelling properties, but they are also toxic to dogs and cats. You can still repel pests safely and naturally with pet-safe plants.

Beside above, can citronella be planted with other plants? Many people grow citronella plants on or near their patios as mosquito repellents. They are, instead, citronella scented geraniums, or other plants that simply have a citronella-like scent. These citronella scented plants don't actually have the same oils that repel mosquitoes.

Also to know, is citronella plant harmful to dogs?

Dogs who come into contact with the citronella plant can experience skin irritation. Ingestion can result in lethargy, loss of appetite and diarrhea.

Is citronella toxic?

Citronella is listed as non toxic.

39 Related Question Answers Found

Does bee balm repel mosquitoes?

Bee Balm – Monarda – is a beautiful flowering plant that attracts hummingbirds and, of course, bees. It is also very effective used as a mosquito repellent, when the leaves are crushed and the fragrant oils are released. It is even better than commercial bug sprays at keeping the pests away.

Can citronella kill dogs?

Citronella oil is poisonous to pets, according to the ASPCA. However, the organization indicates that when it comes to the minimal amounts used in anti-barking collars, the oil should not really be dangerous or hazardous.

Is bee balm poisonous to dogs?

It contains cardiac glycoside, a toxin that can cause severe heart problems in pets. Instead, try: Bee Balm.

Why do dogs hate citronella?

Citronella is a known repellant. It is used as a pesticide. For this reason, citronella collars have come to be. The collars themselves will detect the audio levels of your dog and then spray them with citronella if they bark or yelp.

Are Citronella plants poisonous to humans?

Toxicity. No evidence has been found for human toxicity. The base chemical of the plant, citral, is categorically rated low, slightly toxic, not acutely toxic or not rated. True citronella is derived from drying the plant Cymbopogon nardus.

How do you propagate citronella?

How to Propagate Citronella

Push a trowel into the soil around the base of the citronella plant.
Cut the root clump apart into 6-inch-diameter sections with the edge of the trowel.
Fill 8-inch-diameter pots with moist potting soil.
Place the pot in a windowsill indoors that receives all-day sunlight.

Is citronella safe indoors?

Still, like other scented candles, citronella candles can lead to poor air quality if used indoors, in part because all scented candles produce more smoke and soot than non-scented candles. Because of this, they should only be used outside.

Is citronella a perennial?

Also called mosquito plant, the citronella geranium cultivar is a perennial in USDA plant hardiness zones 9b through 11. In other areas, it is either left in the ground and grown as an annual or dug up before winter and kept inside until spring.

Is citronella bad to inhale?

When applied to the skin: Citronella oil is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when applied to the skin as an insect repellent. When inhaled: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to inhale citronella oil. Lung damage has been reported.

Is lavender plants safe for dogs?

Avoid plants that are dangerous to pets

Bluebells can be too, but severe poisoning is rare. Most plants that grow from bulbs and most evergreens are poisonous for rabbits. Choose robust plants but beware of thorns, especially at eye level. Many herbs, including rosemary, lavender and sage are good, safe choices.

How can I protect my dog from mosquitoes naturally?

Use Dog-Safe Insect Repellent

Some natural insect repellents for dogs include lemon eucalyptus oil, geranium oil and soybean oil, thyme, clove oil, and neem oil. Again, you should NOT use any of these products without first consulting your veterinarian.

What bugs does citronella repel?

Citronella candles are great for setting a mood, but they're not so great for the very thing they're advertised to do: repel mosquitoes. That's one conclusion from a new study that tested 11 types of repellents on Aedes aegypti mosquitoes—the vectors of Zika, yellow fever, dengue, and other diseases.

How do I keep flies and mosquitoes off my dog?

Some essential oils — including tea tree, neem, lemon eucalyptus, and citronella — can be useful in keeping mosquitoes and other insects away from your dogs, but it's important to ONLY USE DILUTE FORMULATIONS of these oils.

Is Lemongrass safe for dogs?

Specifically, Lemongrass essential oil. Essential oils need to be properly diluted to be safe, and the tricky part is getting the dilution concentration correct so it still remains effective and, at the same time, doesn't hurt yours and your dogs skin. Dogs are more sensitive to essential oils than humans.

Is witch hazel plant poisonous to dogs?

Though witch hazel carries many beneficial effects when applied topically, it's important to know that it can be toxic to dogs. The witch hazel plant itself, as well as teas and tinctures made from witch hazel can also pose a problem for your dog if ingested.

Are mosquito plants toxic to dogs?

Plant Dog Safe Mosquito Repellent Plants

For example, the citronella plant, which is a common choice, can actually cause skin irritation, lethargy, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Other popular mosquito repellent plants, like pennyroyal, eucalyptus, geranium, wormwood, and tansy all pose a risk to pets.

Can you grow citronella from a cutting?

Rooting. Stem cuttings of citronella-scented geranium root easily in perlite, though you can use potting soil. Roots should form within two weeks. The cuttings can be potted until they are large enough to plant in the ground.