Mosquitoes are known for their ability to detect humans and animals by the carbon dioxide we exhale. However, smell also plays an important role in how mosquitoes locate and choose their victims. Understanding what smells deter mosquitoes can help us take measures to avoid getting bitten.
Smells That Repel Mosquitoes
Several smells have been found to be effective at repelling mosquitoes:
- Citronella – This lemony scent is commonly used in candles and sprays designed to keep mosquitoes away. The strong smell masks other attractants to mosquitoes.
- Lavender – The pleasant floral scent of lavender contains ingredients like linalool that are unappealing to mosquitoes. Burning lavender oil or rubbing it on your skin can provide protection.
- Garlic – Eating garlic or rubbing crushed garlic on your skin makes you less appealing to mosquitoes because of its strong odor.
- Rosemary – This herb contains compounds like cineole that can repel mosquitoes when burned or applied topically as an oil.
- Peppermint oil – The menthol in peppermint oil is an effective mosquito repellent. It can be applied to the skin or diffused into the air.
Certain products are formulated with combinations of these smells to create a more potent mosquito deterrent effect. Look for sprays, bracelets, or candles containing some of these key ingredients if you want to avoid mosquito bites without using DEET.
How Smell Repels Mosquitoes
There are a few reasons why strong smells can override mosquitoes’ attraction to humans:
- Masking – Strong pleasant scents like citronella can simply mask the smell cues like lactic acid given off by our skin that attract mosquitoes.
- Irritation – Some essential oils contain compounds that irritate mosquitoes’ senses or overwhelm their odor receptors, essentially jamming their ability to detect a blood meal.
- Toxicity – Ingredients like eucalyptus oil may be directly toxic to mosquitoes, damaging their legs, antennae, or other body parts.
By interfering with mosquitoes’ chemical sensing abilities, repellent smells make us seem invisible, undesirable, or dangerous to the mosquito.
Testing Mosquito Repellents
Researchers have tested various smells in laboratory settings by exposing mosquitoes to different repellent compounds and measuring their effects. Some key findings from these studies include:
| Repellent Tested | Method | Results |
|---|---|---|
| Citronella candles vs. plain candles | Measured number of mosquito landings over time | 86% reduction in landings with citronella |
| Essential oils | Tracked mosquito avoidance in olfactometer assay | Highest repellency from thyme, geranium, and lemongrass oils |
| DEET vs. natural oils | Tested repellency at different concentrations | DEET most effective; oils like peppermint also deterred bites |
Based on lab testing, most plant-based repellents do ward off mosquitoes, but not as effectively or long-lasting as DEET and other synthetic chemical options. However, natural oils still provide adequate protection for shorter time periods.
Other Mosquito Deterrents
There are other ways to make your yard or outdoor space less attractive to mosquitoes beyond just smelly repellents:
- Get rid of standing water – Mosquitoes breed in pools of stagnant water.
- Install fans – Mosquitoes have trouble flying in windy conditions.
- Grow mosquito-repelling plants – Marigolds, catnip, and horsemint deter mosquitoes.
- Use scent machines – Devices can automatically mist repellent smells into the air.
- Apply bti – This biological larvicide kills young mosquitoes before they take flight.
Taking multiple approaches provides the best defense against mosquitoes. Smelly repellents create a protective barrier around your skin, while other methods reduce the overall mosquito presence in your vicinity.
Most Effective Repellent Smells
All told, what smell do mosquitoes hate the most? According to scientific testing and anecdotal reports, these are among the most powerfully repellent aromas:
- Citronella – Produces strong masking effects and irritation
- Peppermint and menthol – Cooling sensation overwhelms mosquito odor receptors
- Lemongrass – Contains citronellal, geraniol, and geranyl acetate repellent compounds
- Eucalyptus – Has robust toxicity and irritation effects, can last longer than other oils
- Thyme – High concentration of thymol makes it unpleasant to mosquitoes
Always read labels and check for EPA-registration of any mosquito repellent products. While natural scents have advantages, synthesized formulas like picaridin and IR3535 also have science supporting their efficacy and longevity.
Conclusion
Mosquitoes track humans down through our smells, so fighting back with offensive odors of our own is an effective strategy. Harnessing the insect-repelling power of plants through essential oils and extracts makes for a safer, greener way to repel mosquitoes. Lighting a citronella candle, spritzing on a minty spray, or cultivating mosquito-deterring plants are all smart moves to prevent mosquito bites. With some smelly help, we can avoid becoming a mosquito’s next meal.
