What smell do bugs hate the most? (2023)

What scent keeps bugs away?

Those most closely associated with repellency are citronella oil, eucalyptus oil, and catnip oil, but others include clove oil, patchouli, peppermint, and geranium.

Most pests cannot stand the smell of peppermint oil, even though a lot of humans love it. It's also toxic to many insects. Leaving traces of it around the house, particularly in 'hot spots' that tend to attract a lot of pests, can kill some pests and cause others to leave.

Lemongrass, citrus, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, citronella, catnip, and lavender oils all possess properties that repel bugs. The oils can be used individually or combined to make a simple anti-bug potion. Mix about 1 cup of water with 25-30 total drops of oil into a small spray bottle.

Citronella candles or citronella oil burners are a great way to repell insects. Citronella is a naturally occurring insect and animal repellent that works by masking scents that are attractive to insects.

Carbon Dioxide

Mosquitoes and moths are most active at dawn and at dusk. They are attracted to the odor of the carbon dioxide that we exhale. Bees and gnats can also be attracted to the smell of our breath. Sweat is another body excretion that attracts insects.

That's why it doesn't work when you're trying to mask B.O. (something mosquitoes like) with perfume or cologne (something mosquitoes love). Both types of smells will attract the pests to you, and perfume can actually make that draw worse.

A combination of half apple cider vinegar (although normal vinegar works just as well) and half water in a spray bottle works perfectly to repel those pests. This concoction can be sprayed around the perimeter of your home, on the legs of tables that have food served on them or even around a screen house or tent.

After testing 23 spray repellents, we've concluded that Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent is the best. It has a 20% picaridin formula, making it effective against mosquitoes and ticks for up to 12 hours.

Do bugs hate lavender?

Lavender has a strong scent that can repel moths, flies, fleas, and mosquitoes. Use it fresh or dry some of the flowers to hang around the house or put in with your clothing to keep bugs out.

Even the smallest amount of food can attract insects such as rodents or spiders. While human food is not in their natural food chain, spiders are easily attracted to human food scents. Also, the insects that spiders eat seek out your crumbs.

Citrus. You may love the smell of fresh citrus, but cockroaches hate the scent. That means you can use citrus scented cleaners in your kitchen and bathroom to chase any lingering roaches away. You can also keep a few citrus peels around your home in strategic places.

Keep rooms clean and dry

One of the most important ways a hotel staff can keep insects out is by ensuring housekeeping employees are always careful about routine cleaning. Vacuuming bits of food from the floor and taking out the trash can go a long way to prevent insects from congregating on the property.

To avoid being bitten at night, try to sleep with a fan on or keep the windows closed. Install a screen on your windows, too. You can also use mosquito netting over your bed. By taking these precautions, you can help to keep mosquitoes at bay.

What color LED lights do not attract bugs? Bugs can see Ultraviolet (UV), blue and green. That is why they are attracted to white or bluish lights such as mercury vapor, white incandescent, and white fluorescent. On the other hand, yellowish, pinkish, or orange are the least attractive to the bugs.

Hydrogen Peroxide: Put a little bit of hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle, and spread it liberally over your home's patio and other surfaces. Make sure to spray the perimeter of your outdoor living space, as well — that will prevent bugs from getting close to you and anyone else.

Keep Pests Away

The pine smell is repulsive to most animals. There's a bonus, too. You get clean cans, and no flies. Insects aren't fans of pine, either!

Keeping your home clean is the best way to keep pests away, especially the kitchen where crumbs and other potential treats lurk. Vacuum regularly (once a week is suggested). And on days you don't feel like tossing the trash, make sure your bins are covered or even sealed.

First, sweep and vacuum daily. Wipe off the countertops, dust various household surfaces, scrape off crumbs, and scrub residue in ovens and microwaves. Ants are a major problem in many American homes. Eliminate food and water sources in your house to prevent an ant infestation.

Do candles keep bugs away?

In one study, candles made with citronella essential oil were able to reduce the number of 1 mosquitoes by about 35% and sand flies by 15%. Another study found that having citronella candles or incense burning did reduce the number of mosquito bites2 on participants, but only by about 42% and 24%, respectively.

Bugs like a nice home for the same basic reasons you do. They want food, water, and shelter. If they can find these in your house, they'll move in. Bugs commonly found inside homes include ants, cockroaches, earwigs, firebrats, flies, house centipedes, silverfish, and spiders.

Even though roaches will try and usually succeed at fleeing the scene when you turn on the lights, again, these resilient creatures are responding to environmental stimuli, not fear of humans necessarily. Also, insect brains do not contain the neuro-transmitters to identify human fear.

Air fresheners contain a range of ingredients that can be alluring to all kinds of pests including ants and cockroaches.

Yellowish, pinkish, or orange (sodium vapor, halogen, dichroic yellow) are the least attractive to most insects. When white incandescent bulbs were all that was available, the advice was to change them to yellow incandescent bug bulbs.