10 SCENTS THAT REPEL MOSQUITOES

1. CITRONELLA/ LEMONGRASS:

So this was probably the first (and maybe only) scent that you thought of. This is typically the most common repelling scent that is used in products found at your local store. Citronella oil comes from the lemongrass plant and is commonly used in commercial bug sprays and candles. It has a lemon-like citrusy scent that is very irritating to mosquitoes, but is actually wonderfully pleasant to most people. In additional to the candles and commercial sprays that have citronella, you can also plant lemongrass can outside of your residence. This is will give the outside of your home an attractive look  while also being an effective repellent. Additionally, if you are looking for something that repels mosquitos from you on the personal level then you might want to apply citronella oil directly on your skin. You can also pair it with other essential oils to make your own natural deterrent.

2. PEPPERMINT

Even though we tend to enjoy the taste and smell of mint, mosquitos actually find the smell of minty fragrances to be unpleasant to their keen senses. Just the mere presence of peppermint plants can ward off these pesky flying insects to some degree. If you are looking for a personal deterrent then you might consider crushing peppermint leaves and rubbing them directly onto your skin. Mosquitoes won’t be able to tolerate your presence! Also if you do find yourself with a bug bite, the peppermint oil also works as an effective itching relief.

3. BASIL

Not only can you use this tasty herb as a seasoning for your favorite Italian dishes but it can also be used as a natural mosquito repellent. The essential oils contained in the basil plant can emit a powerful aroma that is also irritating to mosquitos. You can take full advantage of basil’s repellent properties by growing it in your yard. Not only will this repel the mosquitos but also gives you fresh herbs! You can also create homemade sprays from its essential oils.

4. GARLIC

Did you know that garlic has been used for many years as an edible repellent? When it is consumed, garlic’s active ingredient, allicin, interferes with our natural scent and masks us from mosquitoes. Not a fan of garlic? No problem because it can still be used to deter mosquitoes even without having to eat it.You can cut garlic cloves into slivers and scatter them around your outdoor living areas, or combine with oils and other liquid ingredients to make a repellent spray for your yard. You can also blend the garlic with essential oils to create a mosquito repellent spray for your body. Mosquitoes (like vampires lol) won’t be able to stand the unappealing garlic smell.

5. LEMON BALM

As a member of the mint family, lemon balm has a calming, strong lemon scent that is also an undesirable scent to insects as they find it incredibly unpleasant. It is important to consider that bees, butterflies and humans so seem to love the fragrance. So you will want to grow this attractive plant in specific areas as a way to deter mosquitoes or apply the crushed leaves to your skin for personal repellent. In addition to being a mosquito repellent you can also add the leftover leaves to your favorite herbal teas for some stress relief benefits.

6. LAVENDER

Lavender is a very popular scent among people but not with mosquitos. Mosquitos actually detest the pungent scent of lavender, and will try to stay away at all costs. Like most of the plants that are on this list, lavender can be used by extracting the oils and applying to the skin directly or making a body spray. You can also add some color to your yard and simply plant it in your garden. While also repelling mosquitos, this beautiful purple flowers is sure to liven up your landscape.

7. MARIGOLD

This beautifully vibrant plant is well known for its pungent aroma. People sometimes find the smell to be overwhelming and mosquitoes would agree. You can plant these golden flowers in various places around your yard to keep mosquitoes at bay. You can also cut the flowers off and add them to vases around your home. This will prevent mosquitoes from migrating inside. An added benefit is that the flowers of the marigold plant will make a colorful addition to your garden or inside your home. They are also edible!

8. CATNIP

Shocked to see this on the list? Yeah so were we! Apparently in recent years, this has become a very popular method for repelling mosquitoes. A study in Science Daily even suggested that Nepetalactone, the plant’s essential oil, is approximately ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes. So it should be noted that much less of this oil is needed to be effective. You can plant catnip in your garden as a backyard defense, or crush the leaves and rub them directly on your skin. Some people even use the leaves in their tea for natural healing. Of course, you can also provide surplus leaves to the very thankful felines in your home.

9. ROSEMARY

Like basil we have another multipurpose herb. Rosemary can be used for many things and is more than just a seasoning for your food. This aromatic plant can work wonders when it is planted in your garden as it easily tackles small mosquito infestations. When you are barbecuing you can place a few sprigs of rosemary on the grill to keep mosquitoes away as the scent wafts through the yard. In addition, rosemary can be infused into lotions or sprays to create simple repellents for your body.

10. EUCALYPTUS

The benefits of eucalyptus constantly leave us amazed. I mean what can’t this scent do? Well similar to citronella, eucalyptus has a powerful smell that also interferes with the mosquitoes’ delicate senses. It will make it difficult for them to locate their food sources. The oil from these trees also repels other insects such as ticks, midges and sandflies. While having the presence of the plant itself in your yard will work as a repellent, the essential oil can be also be applied directly to the skin. You want to apply it regularly to your skin to ensure you are getting optimum protection.

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM MOSQUITOES