A recent survey by Good Knight, a leading household insecticide brand from Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. (GCPL), has revealed growing unease among residents of Western India regarding the use of illegal mosquito repellent incense sticks. The study, titled “One Mosquito, Countless Threats,” was conducted by market research firm YouGov and shows that 67% of people in the region feel uncomfortable or irritated when using such unregulated products.
The report further highlights that 60% of respondents in the western region—which includes Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, and Madhya Pradesh—are highly selective about the mosquito repellents they use, emphasizing a strong preference for government-approved, safe products. In fact, 75% of West Indian consumers opt for officially approved repellents, despite the growing presence of illegal alternatives.
Nationally, 69% of respondents shared similar discomfort, with East India leading the concern at 73%. The report also shows that both men (70%) and women (67%) are nearly equally disturbed by these products, which often contain unregistered Chinese chemicals.
The illegal mosquito incense stick market is rapidly growing, currently valued at ₹320 crore in Western India alone, out of a national market size of ₹1600 crore, and is expanding by 20% annually. Maharashtra is reportedly the largest market for these illegal products in the region, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
Speaking on the findings, Shilpa Suresh, Head of Marketing – Home Care at GCPL, said, “Many of these incense sticks are illegally manufactured and pose serious health risks. Good Knight remains committed to offering science-backed, safe, and government-approved mosquito solutions for Indian homes.”
Echoing these concerns, Jayant Deshpande, Honorary Secretary of the Home Insects Control Association (HICA), called the use of illegal mosquito incense sticks “a silent killer entering homes.” He urged citizens to check for CIBRC registration numbers on repellent packaging to ensure safety and authenticity.
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