Cedrol is a sesquiterpene alcohol found in the essential oil of conifers (cedar oil), especially in the genera Cupressus (cypress) and Juniperus (juniper). It has also been identified in Origanum onites, a plant related to oregano. Cedrol is a fragrance ingredient used in decorative cosmetics, fine fragrances, shampoos, toilet soaps and other toiletries as well as in non-cosmetic products such as household cleaners and detergents. Its use worldwide is in the region of 1–10 metric tonnes per annum. The maximum skin level in formulae that go into fine fragrances has been reported to be 1.51% assuming use of the fragrance oil at levels up to 20% in the final product. The 97.5 percentile use level in formulae for use in cosmetics in general has been reported to be 1.3%, which would result in a maximum daily exposure on the skin of 0.0331 mg/kg for high end users of these products. Finding the natural source of this compound might help to elucidate why Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles arabiensis prefer to lay eggs in habitats containing it. Cedrol is the first compound confirmed as an oviposition attractant for gravid An. gambiae s.l. This finding paves the way for developing new ‘attract and kill strategies’ for malaria vector control.