When the summer months come around, it’s easy to be excited for the fun times ahead. Barbecues, time spent with family, and lovely walks through nature are all waiting for us in the near future.
Unfortunately, there are also a few less than ideal parts of summer. In this case, we’re talking about those obnoxious, buzzing, and biting pests known as mosquitoes.
Since mosquitoes have the horrible ability to change an otherwise perfect day into an itchy, unpleasant one, it’s safe to say that many of us would do just about anything to keep them at bay. In the past, we’ve made compromises in the products we use … like turning to harsh chemicals to give mosquitoes the boot.
Luckily, there’s a better way to stay mosquito-free. Our dreams of having a nice smelling home and a home free of pests can actually be achieved in one fell swoop. That’s right: The days of pungent and unpleasant bug repellents are over.
Instead, parents can be overjoyed to learn that there are many delightful and homey scents that can naturally repel mosquitoes.
After all, what’s the only thing better than smelling good? Smelling good and not being covered in mosquito bites, of course! Without further ado, here is our list of six amazing natural scents that will send mosquitoes packing (without you wanting to tear your hair out).
1. The Scents in Our BuzzPatch Mosquito Repellent Patches
At The Natural Patch Co., we are passionate about yummy smells and essential oil combinations. Naturally, we had to make one that got rid of our least favorite summer pest (mosquitoes).
Meet the BuzzPatch Mosquito Repellent Patches, a cute, delightful-smelling, easy to apply, and most importantly, effective means of repelling mosquitoes.
Totally chemical-free, our BuzzPatches are great for kids and adults of all ages. Plus, the stickers go on clothes.
The exact amount of stickers that you and your family will need depends on everyone’s age:
- Family members between the ages of zero and two will only need one sticker on the middle of their torso.
- Three- to five-year-olds will require two stickers total: one for their torso and the other for their adorable little legs.
- Everyone over the age of six (adults included) will need between two and four stickers, one on each limb.
What Clothing Works Against Mosquitoes?
It’s no secret that mosquitoes love to target our legs and ankles. That’s because these areas are prone to sweating. Mosquitoes also find out through the carbon dioxide we exhale.
Keeping your body covered with heavier fabrics and clothing can help keep them away from the area. However, in case you weren’t planning on busting out your Victorian woman garb today, our stickers can help keep those spots clear of itchy bites.
Place them on your legs so that the blend of essential oils can work its magic, continually emitting pleasant scents that can protect us from those annoying insects.
Some essential oils have the remarkable ability to overpower CO2 emissions, effectively hiding us from mosquitoes in the process. These stickers use a blend of essential oils led by the ever-popular citronella oil. Next on our list, we will cover what makes citronella so special in terms of repelling mosquitoes.
2. Citronella
Citronella is perhaps the single most popular mosquito-repelling plant and oil available today. Many families love to use this ingredient to keep their picnics, hikes, and days at the lake comfortable and bug-free.
This citrus-y scent is also well-loved for its versatility. There are so many ways to use citronella that let its bug-protecting powers shine.
We clearly have a preference for wearable stickers that feature citronella oil, but can you blame us? The stickers are cute, easy to apply, and kids love them. That isn’t always the case when it comes to ways of keeping bugs away, especially when sprays and chemicals come into the mix.
For added protection, citronella oil can also be found in candle form. People enjoy using citronella candles for a few reasons.
For one, they have those anti-mosquito properties we love. Second, the smell is pleasant and outdoorsy. Finally, a candle helps to set the mood in a calming and unobtrusive way. Especially when you consider that mosquitoes come out in great (see also: awful) quantities at dusk, extra light is often more than welcome.
Citronella and Lemongrass
Citronella is related to lemongrass, which may or may not make an appearance later on our list. Both of these plants and oils are quite pungent, but we promise we mean that in a good way. Since the smell is fairly prominent, it has the ability to mask our natural odor that can attract mosquitoes, replacing it with a plant-like aroma.
3. Lavender
If citronella is perhaps the best-known essential oil for mosquito repellent, lavender is perhaps the best-known essential oil for, well, just about everything else. Even those who do not regularly use essential oils are likely familiar with lavender and its calming scent.
The flower is a staple in many gardens, as it’s beautiful in both sight and smell. Since it’s so common, it is entirely possible that many of us have been benefiting from this plant’s rewards without even knowing it.
However, lavender ascends to new heights when you begin using lavender essential oil. Having the barest, most concentrated form of the flower at your disposal is immensely helpful for purposes beyond just a lovely smell (though we aren’t knocking that either). Lavender will also help to mask your family’s odors from mosquitoes, much like citronella.
How Do Mosquitoes Locate Us?
Just for the record, we aren’t saying that your family smells. Mosquitoes have a finely tuned sense of smell that is tailor-made for sniffing out carbon dioxide. That’s what gives them the ability to find us and other mammals to feed off of.
Masking this scent is important for keeping mosquitoes away from us. Versions of diluted lavender oil are also often safe for even those with more sensitive skin types, which is not always the case with other mosquito repellents.
If you end up with a few mosquito bites anyway, lavender can also be used after the fact as a means of relieving symptoms and feelings of itchiness.
4. Peppermint
We use peppermint for a wide variety of purposes in our everyday lives. Maybe most notably, many of us enjoy peppermint as the primary flavor in our toothpaste.
This flavor is so popular because it is refreshing and rejuvenating without being overpowering. The pleasant taste and smell are enough to propel us forward into our day or help us wind down for a night of restorative sleep.
Everything we love about peppermint is something that mosquitoes hate — and that’s just the way we like it. Rather than finding this scent enjoyable and fresh, mosquitoes think peppermint is disgusting, and they’ll usually avoid it at all costs.
Peppermint oil also has many other benefits, like helping with headaches and nausea. All in all, this is a multi-purpose oil that we keep at the ready whenever we need it.
5. Lemongrass
At last, it is finally time for citronella’s long-lost cousin to make an appearance on our list. Appropriately, lemongrass’ smell is perhaps best known for its citrusy and earthy notes. To state the obvious, it smells quite a bit like both lemon and grass put together.
Similar to citronella, lemongrass is a strong scent. If you are using citronella in your home for a fresh, clean aroma, know that a little goes a very long way. Start with less, and you can add more if needed.
This same principle applies when you are using lemongrass to repel mosquitoes. The potent scent is what confuses the mosquitoes and makes them lose you, but too much could also give you a headache. As long as you are mindful when you use lemongrass oil, then the benefits are sure to be plentiful.
6. Basil
When we hear the word basil, most of us will probably think of an herb we use to enhance the flavor of food. A margarita pizza and any number of other delectable Italian dishes feature this ingredient as a prominent and flavorful addition.
One of its major culinary benefits is its scent, but basil can do more than just make a pizza feel more classy.
The scent of basil actually works well to keep mosquitoes buzzing far away. You can utilize this by growing basil in your garden, using an essential oil diffuser to spread the scent around the room, or applying a diluted form while outdoors.
No matter how you choose to use this herb, don’t be surprised if the kids suddenly want pizza.
Carefree and Itch-Free
When armed with these helpful stickers and scents, you and your family can tell mosquitoes to buzz off — and smell great while doing it. Whether you prefer delicious basil, fresh citronella, or a masterfully paired selection of scents from The Natural Patch Co., get ready for a mosquito-free summer you won’t forget.
Sources:
Citronella Oil Benefits, How To Use, Side Effects and Safety | Healthline
Ever Wonder How Mosquitoes Find You? | The Washington Post
Citronella Grass vs. Lemongrass, Compared and Explained | Gardening Channel
