Bugs can be a nuisance in the home, garden, or anywhere else they congregate. While some chemical bug sprays are effective, many people prefer natural methods to repel bugs. Certain smells and scents are known to deter bugs, providing a safe and eco-friendly solution. This article will explore the best smells to keep all types of bugs at bay.
Why use smell to repel bugs?
There are several benefits to using smell and aroma to keep bugs away rather than chemical bug sprays:
- Natural smells and oils are safe for people, pets, and the environment
- They don’t leave toxic chemical residue behind
- Smells and aromas are non-invasive and easy to apply around the home
- Many natural scents repel a variety of insects, including ants, mosquitoes, flies, roaches, and more
- Smells offer ongoing repellent effects when continuously diffused in an area
Rather than spraying harsh chemicals, using the right smells provides pest control the natural way.
Best smells to repel common bugs
Here are some of the most effective scents and aromas to deter different types of bugs:
Citrus scents
Citrus smells repel a wide variety of insects, including:
- Ants
- Roaches
- Flies
- Wasps
- Bees
- Mosquitoes
The strong citrusy aroma overwhelms the scent receptors of bugs, making it harder for them to smell food sources or track scents. Citrus oils like lemon, orange, grapefruit or lime can be used in diffusers or diluted in water and sprayed.
Mint
Mint is a powerful smell detested by many insects, including:
- Ants
- Mosquitoes
- Flies
- Roaches
- Spiders
- Beetles
The strong menthol smell of peppermint, spearmint or other mint oils confuse bugs’ scent receptors. Dilute mint oil with water to make an effective bug spray.
Lavender
Lavender has a fresh floral scent that bugs don’t like. It’s effective against:
- Mosquitoes
- Moths
- Flies
Place lavender plants around outdoor gathering areas or diffuse lavender oil inside to repel these winged pests.
Eucalyptus
The camphorous smell of eucalyptus repels bugs like:
- Ants
- Cockroaches
- Flies
- Fleas
- Ticks
Eucalyptus oil can be diluted with water and used as a spray or diffused into the air to deter these bugs.
Garlic
Garlic’s pungent odor masks other scents and overwhelms many insects’ senses. It helps keep away:
- Ants
- Flies
- Mosquitoes
- Aphids
- Spiders
- Fleas
Crush fresh garlic and sprinkle it around entryways or gardens. You can also boil garlic in water and spray the cooled liquid.
| Scent | Effective Against |
|---|---|
| Citrus | Ants, roaches, flies, wasps, bees, mosquitoes |
| Mint | Ants, mosquitoes, flies, roaches, spiders, beetles |
| Lavender | Mosquitoes, moths, flies |
| Eucalyptus | Ants, roaches, flies, fleas, ticks |
| Garlic | Ants, flies, mosquitoes, aphids, spiders, fleas |
How to use smells to repel bugs
There are a few different ways to leverage the power of scent to keep pests away:
- Essential oils: Add a few drops of essential oils like lemon, peppermint or eucalyptus to water in a spray bottle. Mist around entryways, window sills, and other areas bugs may enter.
- Diffusers: Use an electric or candle diffuser to disperse essential oils like lavender or lemongrass into the air indoors.
- Sachets: Place small breathable sachets filled with scent repellents near problem areas. Cotton sachets with dried lavender can help keep moths away from clothing.
- Plants: Grow pest-repelling plants like lavender, mint, basil and garlic in an infested area or garden.
- Ground barriers: Sprinkle crushed garlic, chili powder or dried peppermint around outdoor doorways and garden edges to block bugs.
Be sure to replace scent repellents frequently for continued effectiveness. Using a few different scents together can help deter a wider array of pests.
Conclusion
Smells from natural oils and plants provide a safe, affordable and eco-friendly alternative to harsh chemical bug sprays. Scents like citrus, mint, lavender, eucalyptus and garlic offer powerful pest protection for a wide variety of annoying insects. Simply fill your home or garden with the fragrances bugs hate to send them packing fast. With the right scents diffused or sprayed in all the right places, you’ll keep bugs at bay and prevent an unwanted infestation.