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As summer heats up, so does the activity of mosquitoes in our outdoor spaces. If you’re looking for natural ways to keep them away, the solution may lie in the power of scent.
Certain scents are naturally offensive to mosquitoes and come from specific plants and essential oils. Adding these to your environment can help keep mosquitoes away.
You can use these scents in your garden, with essential oil products, or through scented candles to make a mosquito-repellent area.
Here are 19 scents that can help keep mosquitoes away this summer.
Coffee
Mosquitoes dislike the scent of coffee grounds. Spreading used coffee grounds in your garden or burning them in a firepit or grill can help deter mosquitoes.
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Sage
While sage is a great herb to keep on hand to add flavor to homemade dishes, it is also perfect for keeping mosquitoes at bay—especially when the leaves are burned.
Citronella
Well-known for its mosquito-repellent properties, citronella’s strong citrus scent masks smells that attract mosquitoes.
Garlic
Grown for its culinary and medicinal use, garlic is an essential perennial vegetable to grow in your homestead garden. The mere scent of garlic will keep the mosquitoes away.
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Peppermint
While many use peppermint for their morning tea or evening mojito cocktail, peppermint is believed to have mosquito-repelling effects. It has a powerful, strong, refreshing scent that mosquitoes dislike.
The strong scent may mask the mosquito’s ability to locate its targets, making it harder for them to find and bite you.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a popular culinary herb that is not only great for cooking meals but also has mosquito-repelling power. The strong fragrance of rosemary is a natural deterrent, keeping mosquitoes away from your garden.
Rosemary might be most effective when burned on a fire pit or grill, but you can also rub a few pieces against your skin for added protection.
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Patchouli
The strong, distinct scent of patchouli oil is believed to be unpleasant to mosquitoes, making it a good option for natural repellent products. The scent can help hide the human smells that usually attract mosquitoes, helping to prevent bites. When used in lotions, oils, or diffusers, patchouli can help keep mosquitoes at a distance.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is known for its high citral content, which makes it an effective ingredient in mosquito repellants. Lemongrass is perfect for planting around patios or seating areas.
Tea Tree
Its distinctive smell is another mosquito deterrent.
Thyme
The oil released from crushed thyme leaves is effective in repelling mosquitoes.
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Clove
Mosquitoes dislike the scent of clove oil and can be used in natural repellent blends.
Lemon Balm
Its lemony fragrance is pleasant to us but repulsive to mosquitoes. Plant it in containers to avoid it taking over your herb garden.
Lavender
Lavender has a beautiful, rich purple color with a comforting scent. Not only does lavender add beauty and fragrance to your garden, but it also acts as a natural mosquito repellent.
The strong scent of lavender is highly disliked by mosquitoes and gnats, making it an effective deterrent. Lavender are common garden plants that thrive in a sunny spot and can be grown in pots.
Marigold
Marigold plants are bountiful, rich, colorful flowers that can repel mosquitoes. These hardy flowers are easy to grow and require full sun to bloom.
Incorporating these flowers into your garden bed will beautify your space and help keep mosquitoes away.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus plants have some of the most amazing scents, medicinal uses, and the ability to repel mosquitoes.
Geranium
Geraniums are colorful flowering plants that add beauty to your garden and help repel mosquitoes. These plants produce a unique scent that mosquitoes find unpleasant, making them an effective natural deterrent. Geraniums are easy to care for and grow well in pots or in the garden.
Geraniums are most effective when crushed or rubbed against the skin as the geranium leaves emit chemical compounds that mosquitoes despise.
Catnip
While attractive to cats and can be quite invasive in the garden, catnip is known for keeping mosquitoes away.
Basil
Like rosemary, basil plants are not only the perfect herb for cooking but also efficient at repelling mosquitoes. Place this mosquito-repelling plant near the patio, deck, or any other outdoor space where you spend the most time.
Basil also harms mosquito larvae, so you can place it near stagnant water to deter mosquitoes from laying their eggs.
Bee Balm
Bee balm, not to be confused with lemon balm, is a member of the mint family. This plant leaves behind a scent that mosquitoes loathe. Like Lemon Balm, it is a perennial herb that helps deter mosquitoes.
While it is great for discouraging mosquitoes, it is equally effective at attracting pollinators like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds to your garden.
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