If you live in a warm climate or feel like a mosquito magnet in the summertime, it’s important to pay attention to the types of scents or smells you typically wear on your body and skin or even in your hair. For instance, a fruity scrub or body wash may be perfectly fine to use during cooler months as bugs are less active but can make you an easy target when temperatures rise.
“In warmer weather, mosquitos and other insects become much more active and are naturally attracted to certain scents, which may include fragrances or ingredients in body products that can either attract or repel these bugs,” says Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist in NYC and New Jersey and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine.
You can always carry bug repellent products like DEET to get rid of bugs and mosquitoes, since they contain specific ingredients to minimize exposure and attraction. You can incorporate home remedies to deter mosquitoes using insect repellant aromatherapy oils in your daily skincare or hygiene routine as a natural alternative, too. For example, DIY a bug spray combining beneficial essential or aromatherapy oils and ingredients with water in a spray bottle to have on hand if out in a buggy environment and at home for a simple and effective essential oil bug repellent recipe.
Regardless of method, it’s a good idea to keep in mind scents mosquitoes hate along with ones they go crazy over to prevent getting bitten and bothered as best as possible. These are the top natural oils that repel insects with some best tips for how to keep mosquitoes and insects away.
What scents do mosquitoes hate?
The best smells and scents, including natural essential aromatherapy oils that mosquitoes, bugs and insects typically avoid are herbaceous and minty rather than sweet and fruity. So, consider adding these essential oils and scents that repel bugs to your skincare and hygiene practice as well as stash in your bag and home for a natural bug repellent remedy.
Citronella
Citronella oil is a leading ingredient in bug repellant products, but you can also make your own bug spray to carry in your bag or use as an insect repellent for the house.
“It’s derived from lemongrass and is commonly found in candles and sprays, but can also be used in topical products,” Garshick says.
So, lemongrass oil is also an excellent smell to repel insects and mosquitoes, and it can be used similarly in sprays, topicals and bath or shower products.
Citronella oil is one of the best aromatherapy essential oils to use and a smell that mosquitoes hate, but besides having bug-repelling properties, it also offers mild antimicrobial benefits. You can use citronella as bug repellent in various forms, like sprays and topically.
“For topical use, I recommend diluting citronella essential oil in a carrier oil or mixing it into a body lotion,” Garshick suggests; however, noting that people with broken or sensitive skin should be cautious as citronella oil can be irritating in high concentrations.
Eucalyptus
Using products with eucalyptus scent in the shower, such as in shampoo or a body wash, or on skin topically can help minimize attraction from bugs and insects.
“Eucalyptus oil, particularly lemon eucalyptus, has been shown to be especially effective to repel mosquitos as the active component, PMD (para-menthane-3,8-diol), is even recognized by the CDC as an effective natural alternative to DEET,” Garshick says.
“Eucalyptus oil also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits, which can be great for the skin,” Garshick adds, recommending diluting and using in body oil or adding a few drops to an unscented moisturizer to wear for daily protection. Better yet? Find the right moisturizer for your skin type and then choose an unscented moisturizer containing SPF to protect against UV ray damage and side effects of aging.
Peppermint
With its cooling effect and strong scent, peppermint deters bugs and mosquitos. It’s great for skin health if used topically, particularly if you have skin conditions or sensitivity.
“It’s also known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, which can be beneficial for itchy or irritated skin,” Garshick says. “Peppermint essential oil should always be diluted—ideally in a carrier oil like jojoba or almond oil,” Garshick explains.
As another option, you can mix the oil into unscented body lotion or incorporate it in a home remedy or recipe for a bug repellant spray with peppermint oil.
Tips for how to keep mosquitoes away
There are many ways to enhance protection against bugs, mosquitoes and insects. For starters, avoid scents and smells that attract bugs, such as lavender, floral scents and sweat.
“While lavender is soothing and has antimicrobial benefits for the skin, it can sometimes attract certain mosquitos and insects, especially in concentrated or floral-heavy blends,” Garshick says. The same goes for floral and sweet scents, which can be found in many lotions or scrubs.
“Mosquitos and many other insects are drawn to floral scents, which includes fragrances, such as rose, jasmine, gardenia and honeysuckle,” Garshick explains.
So, using perfumes, body lotions or even floral-scented sunscreens and hair products can definitely increase the chances of attracting bugs and mosquitoes.
Plus, a good hygiene routine and mindfulness when it comes to long beach days and outdoor workouts where you’re prone to sweating will also make a difference.
“Mosquitos are naturally attracted to the lactic acid and ammonia in human sweat, and they’re also drawn to body heat and carbon dioxide,” Garshick says.
Good hygiene, which includes regularly showering (especially after exercise or at least using a body wipe immediately to get rid of sweat and freshen up), using antiperspirants and wearing breathable clothing, particularly in lighter colors as bugs are drawn to dark hues, helps minimize sweat build-up and unwanted scents or fragrances as a natural bug and mosquito repellent.
“You can also use gentle body cleansers with eucalyptus or tea tree oil as key ingredients to help reduce bacteria and odor without being overly fragrant,” Garshick suggests.
Many hair products like shampoo and conditioner also have eucalyptus, tea tree, lemon or peppermint.
How to use insect repellent aromatherapy oils
For those who prefer more natural methods, incorporating essential oils into your daily skincare or body routine can offer protection, but it’s important to use them safely.
“You can mix essential oils into body lotion by combining a few drops of citronella, lemon eucalyptus, or peppermint oil with an unscented lotion for daily use, which not only keeps skin moisturized but also offers a layer of protection outdoors,” Garshick says.
If you use essential oils in shower gel or body wash, you’ll repel insects and bugs in the day with a quick morning shower.
“Adding bug-repellant oils to a gentle, unscented body wash can offer subtle protection throughout the day, with peppermint and eucalyptus being two options that are particularly invigorating and great to incorporate in morning routines,” Garshick suggests.
To make a natural home insect repellent recipe, consider a spray for convenience with minimal ingredients.
“Combine witch hazel, distilled water, and essential oils (like citronella, eucalyptus, and peppermint) in a spray bottle for a solution that can be used on the body, clothing and even hair,” Garshick says.
And remember, whenever using essential oils for bug repellant and scents that mosquitos hate, always perform a patch test to avoid irritation or unwanted reactions from applying essential oils to skin, as they can be irritating—especially in higher concentrations or on sensitive skin types.
Best products to repel bugs and mosquitoes
If you prefer buying insect repellents rather than making your own recipes or home remedies, here are a few excellent choices containing ingredients and scents mosquitoes and bugs hate.
Brittanie’s Thyme Repellent Bug Spray
If you have sensitive skin or simply prefer using products without DEET or citronella, you can try this natural bug repellent to ward off pesky insects and mosquitoes with thyme, lemongrass and peppermint oil as beneficial and preventive scents. Plus, it’s organic and natural, making it more suitable and gentle for those concerned with skin irritation or any other adverse reactions.
Sunaroma Eucalyptus Body Bar Soap
This body bar soap contains both eucalyptus and tea tree oil to work together as natural bug and mosquito repellent, making it a great shower and hygiene product to use during warmer months.
Petal Fresh Makeup Removing Wipes Clarifying Tea Tree & Peppermint
For when you’re on the go, sweaty or exercising and need to cleanse skin before you’re able to take a shower, these wipes smell like tea tree and peppermint to repel mosquitoes and bugs. It works as an instant cleanser for face and body with properties to clarify pores and reduce acne.
Stash these wipes in your work, beach or gym bag so they’re ready right when you need them.