Seamus Hammond
Mosquitoes are a nuisance, especially during the summer months. These insects are drawn to humans and animals as a source of blood, primarily due to our carbon dioxide emissions and the lactic acid in our perspiration. While there are chemical repellents available, certain scents can also be used to keep mosquitoes at bay. This includes peppermint, basil, lavender, citronella, and lemon verbena. However, some fragrances with sweet or floral notes can attract mosquitoes, and the use of perfumes or scented products may increase the likelihood of mosquito bites.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Perfumes that attract mosquitoes | Sweet or floral notes |
| Perfumes that repel mosquitoes | Lemon, lemon verbena, grapefruit, peppermint, citronella, lavender, basil, lemongrass, garlic |
| Other mosquito repellents | Loose clothing, mosquito netting, light-coloured clothing, fans, vinegar, DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, picaridin, IR3535 |
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What You'll Learn
- Mosquitoes are attracted to certain fragrances in perfumes
- Some perfumes can repel mosquitoes
- Scents mosquitoes hate include peppermint, lavender, and citronella
- Mosquitoes are attracted to lactic acid in perspiration
- Other ways to repel mosquitoes include wearing light-coloured clothing and using mosquito netting
Mosquitoes are attracted to certain fragrances in perfumes
Many perfumes have sweet or floral notes that attract mosquitoes. However, some fragrances they find repulsive include peppermint, basil, lemongrass, lavender, and citronella. These fragrances can be used to make natural mosquito repellents. For example, peppermint leaves can be crushed and rubbed on the skin, and basil and lavender oils can be applied directly to the skin. Citronella, a natural oil extracted from the lemongrass plant, has been used as a mosquito repellent for many years and is commonly found in commercial bug sprays and candles.
Some people have suggested that perfumes can ward off mosquitoes, but this has not been scientifically proven. However, one study found that Victoria's Secret Bombshell perfume effectively repels mosquitoes.
To avoid attracting mosquitoes, it is recommended to switch to unscented products or choose scents that repel mosquitoes, such as citrus fragrances with notes of lemon, lemon verbena, and grapefruit.
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Some perfumes can repel mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are attracted to humans primarily because of the carbon dioxide we exhale and the lactic acid present in our sweat. However, they are also drawn to us because of certain fragrances we emit. Many perfumes have sweet or floral notes that attract mosquitoes and other bugs. The olfactory receptors in their antennae enable mosquitoes to smell deodorants, colognes, scented lotions, perfumes, and other fragrances.
While it is yet to be scientifically proven that certain perfumes can repel mosquitoes, some fragrances are known to be repulsive to mosquitoes. These include:
- Citronella oil, which comes from the lemongrass plant, is commonly used in commercial bug sprays and candles. It has a lemon-like citrusy scent that is irritating to mosquitoes.
- Peppermint is a natural repellent that mosquitoes hate. The mere presence of peppermint plants can ward off mosquitoes to some degree. You can also crush the leaves and rub them on your skin or use peppermint oil to relieve itches from bug bites.
- Lavender is also a detestable scent to mosquitoes and has the added benefit of being a natural relaxant.
- Eucalyptus oil is another scent on the mosquito repellent list.
- Basil emits a powerful aroma that is irritating to mosquitoes.
- Garlic is known to keep mosquitoes at bay. You can scatter garlic cloves or combine them with oils and other liquid ingredients to make a repellent spray for your yard or body.
- A mixture of equal parts white vinegar, citronella, and water can be used as a mosquito repellent.
- Victoria's Secret Bombshell perfume has been found to effectively repel mosquitoes.
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Scents mosquitoes hate include peppermint, lavender, and citronella
Mosquitoes are attracted to certain fragrances in perfumes, colognes, lotions, soaps, and shampoos. However, there are many scents that mosquitoes dislike. Using essential oils with these scents can help keep mosquitoes away.
Citronella, which comes from the lemongrass plant, is a well-known mosquito repellent. It has a lemon-like citrusy scent that mosquitoes find irritating. Citronella oil can be applied directly to the skin or paired with other essential oils to make a natural mosquito repellent. Citronella candles are also a popular way to keep mosquitoes away.
Peppermint is another scent that mosquitoes detest. The presence of peppermint plants can help ward off mosquitoes, and peppermint oil can be used as a personal bug repellent. Crushing peppermint leaves and rubbing them on the skin can also make mosquitoes intolerant of your presence.
Lavender is a scent that humans often enjoy, but mosquitoes detest. Lavender oil can be applied directly to the skin or used to make a body spray. Growing lavender plants in your garden can also help keep mosquitoes away.
Other scents that mosquitoes dislike include rosemary, garlic, basil, marigold, vinegar, and eucalyptus. Some people also find that dryer sheets containing linalool, which has a floral fragrance, can help repel mosquitoes.
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Mosquitoes are attracted to lactic acid in perspiration
Mosquitoes are attracted to human odours, and lactic acid is one of the key components of sweat that mosquitoes find appealing. Lactic acid is produced by the body during physical activity and is present in perspiration. The amount of lactic acid in sweat varies depending on the individual and their level of physical exertion. The more someone exercises, the more body heat they produce, and the more attractive they become to mosquitoes.
Studies have shown that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, when presented with a source of L-lactic acid, respond by flying towards it and landing on the substrate containing the odour. This behaviour is comparable to the mosquitoes' response to human skin odour. Lactic acid is not the only factor that attracts mosquitoes to humans; carbon dioxide, ammonia, and other compounds in sweat also play a role.
The combination of ketoglutaric acid and lactic acid elicits a full range of mosquito host-seeking behaviours. Lactic acid is thought to be a diagnostic cue used by mosquitoes to distinguish humans from other animals. While lactic acid alone is not sufficient to attract a large number of mosquitoes, it is necessary in the chemical mix that makes human odour so appealing to them.
Interestingly, while mosquitoes are attracted to the lactic acid in sweat, they are repelled by L-lactic acid solutions applied to the skin. This may be due to the concentration of L-lactic acid in the solution, which can vary in its effectiveness as a repellent.
To avoid mosquito bites, it is recommended to wear loose clothing and use mosquito repellents that block human scents with scents that mosquitoes dislike.
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Other ways to repel mosquitoes include wearing light-coloured clothing and using mosquito netting
Mosquitoes are attracted to certain fragrances in perfumes, colognes, lotions, soaps, and shampoos. However, there are other ways to repel mosquitoes, such as wearing light-coloured clothing and using mosquito netting.
Mosquitoes are more drawn to some colours than others. Research suggests that mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours, such as black and red. To avoid attracting mosquitoes, wear light-coloured clothing in hues such as blue, green, purple, white, beige, khaki, pale yellow, or soft grey. Light colours reflect light and heat, helping to repel mosquitoes, while also keeping you cooler.
In addition to wearing light colours, opt for loose-fitting clothing that covers as much skin as possible. Long sleeves, long pants, and high necks can help minimise exposed skin and prevent mosquito bites. You can also consider clothing with permethrin, which helps repel mosquitoes and ticks.
Mosquito netting is another effective way to protect yourself from mosquitoes. Mosquito nets are made of fine mesh fabric draped over a bed or seating area to provide a barrier against mosquitoes and other insects. The mesh size should be small enough to exclude insects, typically around 250 to 300 holes per square inch, or even smaller for nets designed to block smaller insects like midges. Nets can be made from various materials, including cotton, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, or nylon.
To enhance the effectiveness of mosquito netting, choose nets treated with insecticides. Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are dipped in synthetic pyrethroid insecticides, such as deltamethrin or permethrin, which kill and repel mosquitoes. Newer long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) use dual agents, such as alpha-cypermethrin and chlorfenapyr, to combat mosquito resistance. According to studies, ITNs have been highly effective in preventing mosquito-borne diseases like malaria.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, many perfumes have sweet or floral notes that attract mosquitoes. However, it is not the only factor that attracts mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes are attracted to certain fragrances in perfumes, colognes, lotions, soaps, shampoos, and deodorants. They are also attracted to lactic acid, carbon dioxide, and other chemicals released by humans and animals.
Mosquitoes hate the scents of citronella, peppermint, lavender, basil, garlic, lemon balm, vinegar, geranium, walnut tree leaves, and eucalyptus.
Besides using scents that mosquitoes hate, you can use mosquito netting, wear protective clothing, use a fan to create a breeze, and eliminate standing water near your home.
