Mosquitoes use their strong sense of smell to find food sources accessible nearby. Therefore, specific and strong scents that confuse mosquitoes are successful repellents. You should only learn what smell do mosquitoes hate and apply it at strategic points in your house.
Besides getting rid of these horrible flying insects, you will get a refreshed and fragrant home instead of the unpleasant pungent chemicals used in the past. Most plants and essential oils that are efficient against mosquitoes are available and affordable. Quickly choose your favorite one and enjoy your summer!
Smells mosquitoes hate |
| Lavender essential oil |
| Peppermint essential oil |
| Rosemary essential oil |
| Bergamot essential oil |
| Cinnamon bark oil |
| Cinnamon essential oil |
| Pine essential oil |
| Thyme essential oil |
| Geranium essential oil |
| Oil of lemongrass eucalyptus |
| Geraniol |
| Marigold |
| Grapefruit |
| Basil |
| Mint |
| Lemongrass |
| Lemon balm |
| Citronella |
| Catnip |
| Garlic |
| Camphor |
Reasons to Repel Mosquitoes
Mosquitos are small insects from the family Culicidae. Approximately 3,600 different species live worldwide. Among about 200 types living in the US, twelve are dangerous for humans as disease carriers.
You can discover that several things attract mosquitoes, increasing the possibility of biting you:
- Your genetics – Studies show genetics is responsible for 85% of insect (including mosquitoes) bite susceptibility.
- Your blood type – It seems that people with O blood type are more prone to mosquito bites for some reason.
- Your metabolism – There is a higher possibility of being a mosquito victim if you have a higher metabolic rate and exhale more carbon dioxide while breathing.
- Increased sweating – Lactic acid attracts mosquitoes. Therefore, increased sweating attracts these insects, making life even more difficult for people with this problem.
- Perfumes with floral fragrances – Floral scent attracts mosquitoes, so be prepared for bites if you use one.
What Smells Do Mosquitoes Hate?
Like most insects, mosquitoes hate particular scents, making it easier to repel them. You can use numerous natural ingredients for this purpose, but combining a few increases your chances of getting rid of these annoying insects. Let’s take a look.
1. Lavender essential oil
Since this fragrant plant repels mosquitoes, you can grow it in your garden. However, you can achieve the best result by spraying a lavender essential oil through an oil diffuser or applying it to the skin directly.
2. Peppermint essential oil
Mosquitoes hate the smell of peppermint, so you can use essential oil to repel them from your home. Be aware that this ingredient is inefficient in low concentrations. Therefore, you should make a solution containing over 20% of this plant and use a diffuser near areas attractive to these insects.
3. Rosemary essential oil
In a word, mosquitoes hate intense rosemary scent since it masks potential feed sources. Plant it in your backyard, break off the twigs when necessary, and crush them between your fingers.
Then, apply the released oil on the free surfaces and your skin to keep insects far away. Another option is to place a few sprigs on the grill while barbequing and let the scent spread around.
4. Bergamot essential oil
Bergamot is a top mosquito repellent, but be aware it is phototoxic and causes eye or skin hypersensitivity. Therefore, you can only use it as an aromatic spray without direct contact with your skin and eyes.
5. Cinnamon bark oil
This essential oil is an excellent option when you need to get rid of mosquito eggs. Besides, the warm and spicy scent deters adults, while the cinnamaldehyde it contains inhibits yellow fever mosquito larvae growth.
6. Cinnamon essential oil
This popular spice is an excellent mosquito repellent, plus you can use its oil to destroy their eggs. The most efficient way to solve the problem with these annoying insects is to drip 24 drops of cinnamon oil in 4 ounces (118 ml) of water. Since the solution is diluted enough, you can apply it on your skin, clothing, upholstery, and surfaces around your home.
7. Pine essential oil
Pine essential oil is efficient against most mosquito types at 97% to 100% of cases. Dilute it and drip it on rags or into a diffuser placed outside. Both methods are excellent for providing a pleasant fragrance for you and your family and getting superb repellent against blood-sucking insects.
8. Thyme essential oil
Thyme oil is one of the best malarial mosquito repellents in nature. Apply it to the skin, take advantage of planting it, or make a spray of 2 ounces (59 ml) of water and five drops of essential oil. Besides, tossing leaves into a campfire is an excellent way to keep these insects away when camping.
9. Geranium essential oil
This oil is not a typical mosquito repellent since there is no scientific evidence of its efficiency. However, it has been considered a DEET alternative for decades. Always combine it with rosemary, lemongrass, or eucalyptus essential oil for better results.
10. Oil of lemongrass eucalyptus
Mosquitoes hate strong eucalyptus scent, so you can buy or make candles and soaps containing this plant to keep them away.
Besides, the oil of lemongrass eucalyptus is a proven repellent, and you can use it to keep mosquitos and tick away from your property. Studies show that an efficiency level of a mixture containing 32% of this oil is over 95% within three hours after application.
11. Marigold
This beautiful flower is a well-known mosquito repellent you can grow in your yard. Its crucial benefits are effortless planting, low maintenance, and safety for kids and pets. You can also use a marigold essential oil to deter these blood suckers even more efficiently.
12. Grapefruit
Nootkatone is a sesquiterpene ketone existing in the grapefruit rind. One fruit contains about 100 mg of this compound, known as an excellent mosquito repellent.
It is enough to toss cut rind on the table or keep pieces in a bowl with water to keep these annoying insects away. Another option is to apply grapefruit essential oil directly on your skin.
13. Basil
This versatile herb is a potent natural mosquito repellent since its powerful aroma irritates these insects, while the oil extracted from leaves is toxic to larvae. It is on you to choose between planting basil in the garden or your terrace or spreading the scent inside your home after filling a diffuser with essential oil.
14. Mint
Growing mint in your backyard is an excellent way to keep most harmful insects, including mosquitoes, far away. On the other hand, this beneficial plant attracts bees and other pollinators. Another option is to keep a pot with a small mint plant inside your home.
15. Lemongrass
Lemongrass is one of the best natural mosquito-repellent scents. Plant it in your yard or a pot you can place inside the house. Be aware that its scent is too intense, so be careful with how many plants to include. You can also apply lemongrass oil on your hands and ankles or make a refreshing tea to keep mosquitoes away.
16. Lemon balm
Perennial lemon balm is a member of the mint family, providing a potent but calming scent reminding lemon. Unlike butterflies and bees, mosquitoes find this smell particularly unpleasant, so you can grow this plant around your house to deter them.
17. Citronella
Most people like citronella candles, but they are useful besides having a pleasant smell. You can use products containing this plant as mosquito repellent since it disturbs and blocks these insects’ scent glands. Another solution is to use an essential oil mixture made of several herbs, including citronella.
18. Catnip
This plant is a strong mosquito repellent that has a similar effect to these insects like DEET. Crush a few catnip leaves and rub released natural oil into fabrics and upholstery, leaving it to spread scent inside your home. Planted catnip in a backyard releases enough scent to keep mosquitoes away from the area.
19. Garlic
Thanks to allicin, an active garlic ingredient, you can use this vegetable to deter mosquitoes. Its natural smell interferes with human body scent, making it challenging for mosquitoes to locate their targets.
Cut garlic cloves in halves and arrange them throughout the outdoor area. You can also pour oil over mashed pieces and let them sit for a while before applying the mixture to your skin.
20. Geraniol
This colorless oily liquid has full effectiveness as a repellent of about 2 to 4 hours since mosquitoes hate its sweet rose scent. Be cautious when using it to prevent possible eye and skin irritation.
21. Camphor
Camphor is a colorless substance from the camphor tree bark known for its pungent smell. You can use camphor oil to make a water solution and make a natural insecticide. Another option is to take advantage of its waxy texture and apply it directly to the skin.
Summary
Once summer comes, mosquitoes become real menaces and can ruin hanging out with your friends and rudely interrupt your relaxing time. Luckily, there is no need to use harsh chemicals to eliminate them.
Instead, spraying your home with one of the fragrant essential oils or growing aromatic herbs in your backyard is enough. Besides getting rid of these annoying insects, you can enjoy a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere.