What Smells Do Mosquitoes Hate: Here’s What Works

Have you ever found yourself curious about what smells do mosquitoes hate? You are not the only one asking how to ward off these bothersome insects. It just so happens, that mosquitoes have quite a few scents they find repulsive. From citronella to lavender, there are a range of scents that can send mosquitoes buzzing in the opposite direction.

So, if you’re tired of being bitten by these tiny creators, it might be time to explore the scents that make them run. In this guide, Let’s jump into the world of what smells do mosquitoes hate, offering insights into which scents are most effective at keeping these mosquitoes at bay. Ready to reclaim your outdoor space without the constant buzzing and itching? Let’s find out what smells mosquitoes hate.

What Smells Do Mosquitoes Hate? 10 Scents You Need to Use

Mosquitoes are deadly pests that can ruin outdoor activities and pose health risks due to their potential to transmit diseases. It is possible to throw off a mosquito’s ability to locate its prey using scents that mosquitoes hate. These scents can mask the chemical cues that attract mosquitoes.

Here are the scents that help repel the mosquitoes:

1. Citrus Scents

Citrus scent - What Smells Do Mosquitoes Hate — Image Source: Canva

Citrus scents, such as lemon, orange, and grapefruit, are great mosquito repellents due to their high concentration of citronella and limonene compounds. These scents interrupt mosquitoes’ sensory receptors, making it difficult for them to locate humans. You can use citrus essential oils in diffusers or create natural sprays by mixing them with water for indoor and outdoor use. Furthermore, planting citrus trees or shrubs in your garden can provide ongoing protection against mosquitoes while adding a refreshing fragrance to your outdoor space.

2. Peppermint and Menthol

Lavender - What Smells Do Mosquitoes Hate — Image Source: Canva

The strong scent of peppermint and menthol repels mosquitoes. These scents usually hide human smells, making it hard for mosquitoes to find their hosts. You can use fresh mint leaves or peppermint essential oil to keep mosquitoes away. what do you have to do? Simply crush the leaves and place them in bowls around your home or use peppermint oil in diffusers. If you have outdoor space, you can grow peppermint plants in pots or garden beds to repel mosquitoes while adding some greenery to your space.

3. Lavender

Lavender is sweet, humans love the scent of this floral but this is one scent that mosquitoes hate. The lavender essential oil contains compounds like linalool and linalyl acetate and has been shown to repel mosquitoes effectively. You can spread lavender oil indoors or apply it to your skin to deter mosquitoes naturally. Planting lavender in your garden or placing dried lavender sachets around your home can provide ongoing protection against mosquitoes while promoting relaxation and stress relief.

4. Eucalyptus

What Smells Do Mosquitoes Hate — Image Source: Canva

Eucalyptus oil produces a refreshing aroma that mosquitoes find offensive. The high concentration of cineole in eucalyptus oil acts as a natural insect repellent, making it an effective option for keeping mosquitoes at bay. You can use eucalyptus oil in diffusers or mix it with water to create homemade mosquito repellent sprays for both indoor and outdoor use. Additionally, planting eucalyptus trees in your yard can provide ongoing protection against mosquitoes while adding beauty and fragrance to your outdoor space.

5. Tea Tree Oil

tree tea - What Smells Do Mosquitoes Hate — Image Source: Canva

Tea tree oil contains terpenes like terpinen-4-ol, which have natural insect-repelling properties. This makes tea tree oil an effective option for deterring mosquitoes and other insects. You can dilute tea tree oil with water and spray it onto your skin or mix it with carrier oils like coconut or olive oil for a natural mosquito repellent. Additionally, spreading tea tree oil indoors can help create a mosquito-free environment while promoting respiratory health and immune support.

6. Lemongrass

Lemongrass releases a tangy flavor that mosquitoes find repulsive due to its high citronella content. Citronella is a natural insect repellent that limits mosquitoes from finding the location of their human hosts, making lemongrass an effective deterrent. You can plant lemongrass in pots or garden beds around your home or use lemongrass essential oil in diffusers to repel mosquitoes indoors. Moreover, burning lemongrass candles or incense sticks can help create a mosquito-free environment while adding a pleasant fragrance to your living spaces.

7. Geraniums

Geraniums contain compounds like geraniol and citronellol, which have been shown to repel mosquitoes effectively. Planting geraniums in your garden or placing potted geraniums on your patio or balcony can provide ongoing protection against mosquitoes while adding color and beauty to your outdoor spaces. You can also use geranium essential oil in diffusers or dilute it with water to create homemade mosquito repellent sprays for indoor and outdoor use.

8. Catnip

Catnip

Catnip contains nepetalactone, a compound that mosquitoes find highly repellent. Planting catnip in your garden or crushing fresh catnip leaves and rubbing them onto your skin can help keep mosquitoes at bay. For an extra layer of defense, diffuse catnip essential oil indoors or apply it directly to your skin. Remember, since it can irritate some people’s skin, be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil and do a patch test first. Catnip is a natural and safe option for mosquito control, making it a popular choice for those looking to avoid synthetic insect repellents.

9. Neem Oil

Neem Oil

Extracted from neem tree seeds, this oil contains azadirachtin, a compound that throws a wrench into mosquitoes’ feeding and reproduction. Disrupted by azadirachtin, these pests become less likely to bite you, saving you from itchy welts. Neem oil is non-toxic to humans and pets, making it a safe and eco-friendly option for mosquito control.

10. Cedarwood

Cedarwood is a natural and long-lasting option for mosquito control, making it a popular choice for outdoor living spaces. You can use cedarwood essential oil in diffusers or apply it to your skin to repel mosquitoes effectively. For a mosquito-free haven outdoors, generously scatter some cedarwood chips around places where mosquitoes can be found. Alternatively, throw them into your fire pit and let the fragrant smoke work its magic, fighting off these annoying insects.

How To Use Scents That Mosquitoes Hate

Direct Application

Dilute a few drops of your chosen essential oil (citronella, lemon eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint) with a carrier oil (coconut oil, jojoba oil) and apply it sparingly to exposed skin. Important: Do a patch test first on a small area of your skin to check for irritation.

Clothing Treatment

Enhance your clothing’s defense against mosquitoes by lightly misting a diluted essential oil solution onto your garments. Concentrate on key areas such as ankles, wrists, and hems to maximize protection against these pesky insects. This simple treatment can significantly boost your defense against mosquito bites while ensuring comfort and convenience during outdoor activities.

Essential Oil Diffusers

Infuse a few drops of your preferred essential oil into a diffuser, allowing the aroma to permeate the room and effectively repel mosquitoes. This method serves as an excellent indoor defense against these pests. Additionally, it provides a non-toxic alternative to chemical-based repellents, ensuring a safer environment for you and your family.

DIY Sprays

Mix diluted essential oils with water in a spray bottle, ensuring thorough mixing. Spritz generously around your patio, campsite, or any outdoor space. For optimal results, reapply every few hours, particularly following perspiration or exposure to windy conditions.

Pre-made Sprays

Natural mosquito repellents found in stores typically contain essential oils such as citronella or lemon eucalyptus, known for their efficacy in repelling mosquitoes. It’s crucial to adhere to the instructions provided on the label to ensure safe and effective application.

Plants

To support your mosquito defense, consider planting herbs renowned for their mosquito-repelling properties, such as citronella, lemongrass, lavender, or catnip, around your porch or patio. While these plants may not emit as concentrated a scent as essential oils, they still offer a degree of deterrence against mosquitoes. By strategically placing these natural repellents, you can create an added barrier of protection for your outdoor spaces.

What Are Other Natural Methods To Repel Mosquitoes?

1. Plant mosquito-repelling plants

Certain plants like citronella, catnip, lavender, marigolds, and basil contain natural compounds that mosquitoes dislike. Growing these plants around your outdoor spaces can help deter mosquitoes.

2. Make a garlic spray

Garlic contains sulfur compounds that mosquitoes hate. You can blend garlic cloves with water and strain the mixture to create a potent garlic spray for your yard or patio areas.

3. Try coffee grounds

Mosquitoes supposedly dislike the smell of coffee grounds. Scatter used coffee grounds around areas where mosquitoes are a problem.

4. Use fans

Mosquitoes are poor fliers, so positioning fans strategically in outdoor areas can help discourage them from lingering.

5. Eliminate standing water

Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so regularly draining any sources of stagnant water around your home can help reduce their breeding grounds.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding what smells do mosquitoes hate can greatly aid in successfully repelling these annoying insects and ensuring a more pleasant outdoor experience. Therefore, using scents such as citrus, peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus in your surroundings, you can create a natural barrier against mosquitoes. Also, by using essential oils like citronella, and lemon eucalyptus oil, and intentionally planting mosquito-repelling herbs like lemongrass, you can create a fragrant barrier that discourages mosquitoes from approaching. Remember, reapplication of these natural repellents is important for maximum protection. While highly effective, these methods may not provide complete, long-lasting protection. Rather, combining them with physical barriers like long sleeves and pants and using mosquito nets is recommended for maximum defense.

FAQs – What Smells Do Mosquitoes Hate

What colors keep mosquitoes away?

The best colors for repelling mosquitoes, according to researchers at the University of Washington, are white, green, blue, and purple. That isn’t because mosquitoes don’t like these colors, but because they reflect heat and light, which mosquitoes don’t like, which is why they start to emerge at dusk.

Do mosquitoes hate perfume?

Fragrances, such as perfume, cologne, and scented lotions are a known attractant of mosquitoes. Floral scents are the biggest attraction for mosquitoes. It turns out those lady mosquitoes love a flowery fragrance. So when you’re addressing the issue of body odor, be sure to avoid washing with fragranced body wash.

Why do mosquitoes bite only me?

Since mosquitoes use body heat as a means of honing in on a target, it’s thought that mosquitoes likely land most often on those with a higher body temperature — whether that’s because your internal body temperature is higher due to being in the heat or because you run hotter than other people for some other reason.

What Smells Do Mosquitoes Hate: 10 Scents to Keep Mosquitoes Away

Say No to Mosquitoes Bites and Live Healthy