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These scents are loved by humans for their aesthetic and therapeutic qualities – but they’re repelled by the notorious fly
Mosquitoes may be best associated with summer – but in some cases – this pest can still pose problems when the sunny season concludes. If you live in a particularly sunny climate, it is unlikely that you will see the end of the notorious fly any time soon – so knowing how to get rid of mosquitoes will never go out of date.
Some of the most impactful prevention methods involve tedious tidying routines and pesticide sprays that can feel rigorous and expensive. However, not all anti-mosquito tactics are a chore. Instead, there are some flowers and oils that deter the pest from your home – while filling your space with sweet scents and (in some cases) vibrant color. 
‘Because it’s just a flower, it’s perfectly safe to have around family and pets, but highly toxic to mosquitoes,’ they say. And while it can help to introduce this flower into your garden ideas, it is even better to use a marigold essential oil (such as this one on Amazon (opens in new tab)) that could be more effective. 
‘The reason these smells deter mosquitoes is because they produce chemicals that mosquitoes don’t like, namely linalool and geraniol.’ This is why you often find scents like eucalyptus are used in soaps and candles that are used that keep bugs away from your home.
You can use the nootkatone in your grapefruit to deter misquotes from your home or garden, but it’s even more than a pest deterrent. ‘Not only can you snack on grapefruit, but you can use grapefruit oil on your skin, too,’ Scot adds. 
‘If you have mint plants in your garden, you may have noticed that they attract lots of bees—but not mosquitoes,’ says Melody Estes from The Project Girl (opens in new tab). This is because mosquitoes don’t like minty smells.
‘If you have some mint growing nearby, maybe consider putting some in pots outside to keep those pesky bugs out of your backyard.’
‘Swap your summer glass of lemonade for a chilled glass of lemongrass tea, or carefully use lemongrass oil on your skin for a quick mosquito repellent,’ Scott suggests. 
Knowing how to grow lavender in your yard or arranging it in a vase is one way to keep mosquitoes at bay. Or you can choose one of the best candles on the market, many of which are infused with this powerful scent.
Zackary DeAngelis from Pest Pointers LLC (opens in new tab) explains that the scent of the pine oil ‘will overpower and confuse a mosquito’s senses, limiting its ability to detect you’ and keeping you safe from bites.
‘To use pine oil as a mosquito repellent, one great way is to place rags with pine oil outside of your windows, porch, or doors,’ the expert suggests. ‘You’ll have to refresh the rags every few days, but you could also use this method specifically on days where you’re more likely to have mosquitoes for easier application.’
So, while this kitchen idea is not for every palette, it is worth considering adding a kick to your dishes to keep the pest away.
Mosquitoes hate the smell of lavender, citronella, clove, peppermint, basil, cedarwood, eucalyptus, peppermint, lemongrass and rosemary.
They also hate smells such as smoke, for further insight, see our exploration on, does smoke keep mosquitoes away?
Megan is the News and Trends Editor at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes. As the News Editor, she often focuses on emerging microtrends, sleep and wellbeing stories, and celebrity-focused pieces. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.
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