The CDC reported the first case of West Nile Virus in Maryland last week. The mild winter and dry summer may be responsible for more Culex mosquitoes which can cause some serious health problems. Don’t let mosquitoes keep you indoors or ruin your outdoor time. Avoid the outdoors at dusk and be sure to wear long sleeves and pants and use an approved bug repellant.
Knowing which smells that mosquitoes hate will give you an advantage in battling these bloodsucking pests at home.
From candles to plants to methods using essential oils, scents are one of the most effective natural ways to deter mosquitoes. Many of the odors mosquitoes detest are some of our favorite spa-like scents.
Here are 10 scents to try, and how you can use them in your own backyard:
Citronella
Citronella candles are perhaps the most well-known and pervasive mosquito repellent. What summer function would be complete without an outdoor citronella candle or two placed strategically on the table? And it’s a warm weather classic because it works. Mosquitoes do not like the herbal lemon fragrance of citronella, which comes from the lemongrass plant, and will steer clear when it’s wafting through the air.
Rosemary
Rosemary has a fresh, herbal, woodsy scent that humans love, and mosquitoes detest. It is great in a fresh baked focaccia or roast chicken, but for mosquitoes it’s a warning sign to stay away. You can plant this aromatic herb in pots around your patio, clip off a few springs and spread them around your table before an outdoor gathering or make a homemade bug spray using rosemary oil.
Lemon Balm
If you love the refreshing fragrance of citrus, then you’re in luck. Anything that has a scent resembling orange, grapefruit, and lemon will keep mosquitoes at bay, and that includes lemon balm. This plant, which isn’t a lemon plant but closely related to mint, is a favorite of gardeners for its bold lemon fragrance and use in the kitchen. You can use it to make both flavorful hot and cold teas. Try planting lemon balm around your deck to create a no-fly zone for mosquitoes.
Coffee
You may love the strong scent of a fresh brewed pot of coffee in the morning, but mosquitoes don’t want any of it. They’ll stay away when they smell coffee grounds. Use the grounds from your morning brew to sprinkle throughout your garden beds to deter mosquitoes from finding a home there.
Lavender
While humans smell lavender and are instantly reminded of relaxing spa days or calm yoga classes, mosquitoes smell lavender and head for the hills. This favorite herb of gardeners can be used in several different ways to repel mosquitoes. You can plant it near your outdoor space, arrange lavender sprigs in a vase in your outdoor entertaining area, or create a bug spray using lavender oil.
Catnip
Catnip is an herb in the mint family best known for its ability to attract cats, but it’s also a powerful tool for repelling mosquitoes. You can either plant this herb around your yard to keep mosquitoes away or crush the leaves to help bring the oil to life and use that as a repellent on your own skin when you’re outside.
Garlic
Garlic is another pungent odor that naturally keeps mosquitoes away, though you’ll have to consider how willing you are to surround yourself with this savory smell. Garlic must come out of the ground to repel mosquitoes, so it’s not as simple as planting it around your patio. Instead, you’ll need to cut the garlic cloves to release the scent, then place them around your outdoor area when you’re hoping to spend time outside peacefully mosquito-free.
Eucalyptus
Humans love the calming, fresh fragrance of eucalyptus but the smell is repulsive to mosquitoes and even interferes with their ability to fully function. You can plant a eucalyptus plant outside to help deter mosquitoes, or you can use a eucalyptus candle or choose body sprays or products with a strong eucalyptus fragrance.
Peppermint
Mint has the same impact on mosquitoes as citrus—they absolutely detest it. And, luckily for humans, peppermint grows extremely fast, and it spreads. That means you can fill a garden with mosquito-repelling peppermint quickly. If you don’t want to take care of plants, you can also rely on peppermint oil for a personal bug repellent.
Marigolds
Marigolds are known for their insect-repelling tendencies, so it’s no surprise that they also emit a fragrance that’s toxic to mosquitoes. You can add these colorful blooms throughout your garden, or purchase marigold oil to make a bug repellent spray for your patio and yourself. It’s like wearing a perfume—but one that’s designed to keep your least favorite bug far away.
This Summer protect yourself from mosquitoes and smell wonderful with any of these mosquito-repelling scents.