Citronella, a popular natural insect repellent derived from plants like lemongrass and citronella grass, is commonly found in candles, sprays, and lotions. People often use these products to deter mosquitoes and other insects, especially during outdoor activities. This raises a question for those venturing into natural habitats: does the distinct scent of citronella attract bears?
How Bears Use Their Sense of Smell
Bears possess an extraordinary sense of smell, their most developed sensory organ, central to their survival. Their nasal mucosa, approximately 100 times larger than a human’s, contains millions of scent receptors. An olfactory bulb at least five times larger than a human’s further enhances this ability, allowing them to process scents with remarkable sensitivity. A bear’s sense of smell is estimated to be 2,100 times better than a human’s, and about seven times keener than a bloodhound’s.
This acute olfactory ability enables bears to detect food sources, mates, and potential dangers from significant distances. Black bears, for instance, can smell food from over a mile away, and some estimates suggest they can detect scents up to 18 to 20 miles under optimal conditions. Their powerful noses can pick up the scent of various attractants, including decaying carcasses, ripe berries, garbage, and human-related items like toiletries and pet food. Bears rely on scent more than any other sense to navigate their environment and locate resources, making any strong or novel odor a potential point of interest.
Citronella’s Specific Effect
The strong, citrusy aroma of citronella, while intended to deter insects, can pique a bear’s curiosity. Bears are naturally drawn to investigate strong or unfamiliar scents, even if not food-related. The distinct fragrance of citronella might register as something worth exploring, especially where bears encounter human-associated odors.
Some sources suggest citronella’s sweet, citrus smell, similar to ripe fruit, could appeal to bears. This potential for attraction means using citronella products in bear country could inadvertently draw bears to a campsite. Therefore, citronella is not considered an effective or recommended bear deterrent, as its use risks attracting rather than repelling bears.
General Safety in Bear Country
Given that strong scents can attract bears, minimizing all potential attractants is important for bear safety. When in bear country, store all food, garbage, and scented items in bear-resistant containers. These containers, often made from hard-sided materials, prevent bears from accessing their contents. All toiletries, including toothpaste, soap, lotions, and chapstick, should be stored securely with food items, as bears can smell these from a distance.
Campers should maintain a clean campsite, ensuring no food scraps or trash are left exposed. Cooking should occur at least 100 to 200 feet away from sleeping areas, and clothes worn while cooking should be changed before entering a tent to avoid transferring food odors. Making noise while hiking, especially in dense vegetation, can help prevent surprising a bear, as most bears prefer to avoid human encounters. Following these practices helps to keep both humans and wildlife safe.