Mosquito Repellent Agarbatti: Do They Really Work? An Honest Guide

Quick answer: Yes, a mosquito repellent agarbatti that contains a registered insecticide works in household conditions. Comfort agarbatti contain 0.75% transfluthrin and are registered with India's Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIB&RC). They are approved for controlling Anopheles, Aedes and Culex mosquitoes at home. Use them in a ventilated space and follow the leaflet. Keep using nets and clearing standing water as well.

What is a mosquito repellent agarbatti?

A mosquito repellent agarbatti is an incense stick coated with an insecticide. As it burns, it slowly releases the active ingredient into the air along with the fragrance. It works like a mosquito coil in stick form, and many people prefer the stick for balconies, entrances and evening use.

Comfort is a 12-inch camphor and lemongrass fragrance agarbatti marketed by Dhoop Chaon & Co., Mumbai. Each box holds 120 sticks, packed as 12 pouches of 10. It is part of our Comfort mosquito repellent agarbatti range.

Do mosquito repellent agarbatti really work?

They work when they contain a registered active ingredient and are used correctly. Comfort is registered for the control of three mosquito species under household conditions:

•   Anopheles stephensi, the main urban malaria mosquito in India

•   Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that spreads dengue and chikungunya

•   Culex quinquefasciatus, the common house mosquito that bites at night

How well a stick works in your home depends on three things:

•   Space: a room, balcony or doorway works well. A large hall with all windows open and fans on dilutes the active ingredient quickly.

•   Airflow: a gentle breeze across the area helps. A ceiling fan directly above the stick blows the smoke away.

•   Timing: light it around dusk, when many mosquitoes start coming indoors.

What is inside Comfort agarbatti?

The box lists the full composition:

Transfluthrin does the mosquito-control work. The camphor and lemongrass fragrance gives Comfort a fresh, clean smell instead of the heavy odour many people dislike in coils. If you love the scent of Bhimseni camphor during aarti, you will recognise it here.

Is Comfort agarbatti approved in India?

Yes. In India, any product sold for mosquito control must be registered under the Insecticides Act, 1968. Comfort carries these details on its box:

Tip: before buying any mosquito agarbatti, look for a CIR registration number on the box. If the box has no registration number, the product has not been approved for mosquito control.

Mosquito agarbatti vs coil vs liquid vaporizer vs cream

Many families combine them: an agarbatti in the evening, and a net or vaporizer in the bedroom at night.

Are mosquito repellent incense sticks safe to use at home?

They are safe for household use when you follow the label. The box carries a caution symbol and says the leaflet inside has the directions, precautions, poisoning symptoms and first aid. Read it before first use.

Any burning stick, coil or dhoop also produces fine smoke particles. Studies of mosquito coils found indoor smoke levels can exceed air-quality guidelines in closed rooms (Liu et al., Environmental Health Perspectives). Researchers recommend good ventilation to cut exposure (Applied Environmental Research).

Follow these simple rules:

•   Burn it with a window or door open, not in a sealed room.

•   Don't burn it in a room where an infant sleeps, or near someone with asthma.

•   Keep cats away from the smoke, and cover or move fish tanks. Pyrethroid insecticides are harmful to cats and fish.

•   Keep it away from food, utensils and drinking water.

•   Place it on a fireproof stand, away from curtains, and never leave it burning unattended.

•   Store the box out of children's reach and wash your hands after handling the sticks.

•   If someone swallows a stick or feels unwell, see a doctor and take the box with you. The label states there is no specific antidote; doctors give symptomatic and supportive treatment.

For daily puja indoors, use a regular agarbatti such as our charcoal-free incense sticks rather than a mosquito stick.

How to use Comfort agarbatti for best results

1.  Light one stick around sunset, when mosquitoes start coming in.

2.  Place it near the balcony door, main entrance or window where mosquitoes enter.

3.  Keep it at floor or table height, on its stand.

4.  Switch off the fan directly above it for the first 10–15 minutes.

5.  For a large balcony or shop front, use two sticks at opposite ends.

6.  Once the room is clear, ventilate it before sleeping.

Each 12-inch stick burns for about [BURN TIME].

Where does mosquito repellent agarbatti work best?

•   Living rooms and balconies in the evening

•   Main door and entrance areas, where mosquitoes enter

•   Shops, kirana stores and offices near the doorway

•   Hotels, guest houses and canteens. See our hotel and hospitality supply page, or Contact us for bulk orders.

For the puja room, stick to your regular masala agarbatti or citronella dhoop sticks and other puja samagri.

Will agarbatti protect me from dengue or malaria?

Comfort is registered to control Aedes and Anopheles mosquitoes at home, so it is a useful layer of protection. But no single product protects you everywhere. The dengue mosquito often bites during the day and outdoors, away from the agarbatti. To protect your family:

•   Empty standing water from coolers, flower pots, tyres and buckets every week.

•   Sleep under a mosquito net and wear full sleeves at dawn and dusk.

•   Use a skin repellent when you're outdoors.

•   See a doctor quickly if you have a high fever, body ache or a rash.

How long does one box last?

One box of Comfort has 120 sticks (12 pouches of 10). At one stick a day it lasts about four months. At two a day, about two months. At ₹180 per box, that is ₹1.50 per stick. Pouches are also sold at ₹15 for 10 sticks.

Comfort at a glance

Shop Comfort mosquito repellent agarbatti

Frequently asked questions

Which agarbatti is best for mosquitoes?

Choose one with a CIB&RC registration number on the box, a stated active ingredient and a contactable company. Comfort is registered (CIR-370671/2026) and contains 0.75% transfluthrin with a camphor and lemongrass fragrance.

What is transfluthrin?

Transfluthrin is a fast-acting pyrethroid insecticide used in household mosquito products. When the stick burns, it releases transfluthrin into the air, which acts on mosquitoes in the room.

Is Comfort agarbatti approved by CIBRC?

Yes. Comfort is registered with the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee under registration number CIR-370671/2026-Transfluthrin (474)-7.

Does Comfort agarbatti work against dengue mosquitoes?

Comfort is registered for the control of Aedes aegypti, the dengue mosquito, under household conditions. Also remove standing water, use nets and wear full sleeves, because dengue mosquitoes often bite outdoors in the daytime.

Can I burn mosquito agarbatti in my bedroom at night?

Light it in the evening with a window open, then put it out and ventilate the room before sleeping. Use a net or vaporizer overnight, and never burn it where an infant sleeps.

Is mosquito repellent agarbatti better than a coil?

Agarbatti are easier to place and have a more pleasant fragrance, so they suit rooms, balconies and entrances. Coils burn longer and suit open outdoor seating. Use either with ventilation.

Is mosquito agarbatti safe for babies and pets?

Don't burn it in a room where a baby sleeps. Keep cats away from the smoke and cover fish tanks, because pyrethroids are harmful to cats and fish.

How many sticks are in one box of Comfort?

One box has 120 sticks, packed as 12 pouches of 10. The MRP is ₹180 per box or ₹15 per pouch.

Where can I buy Comfort agarbatti?

Order from our Comfort mosquito repellent agarbatti range with delivery across India and free shipping on orders above ₹399. For hotel or bulk orders, call +91 99200 24444.