You know that cliché: “there are two kinds
of people in this world”? It usually rings true: Pepsi vs Coke, cats
vs dogs, the “over” vs “under” way of hanging your TP. In a world so divided, I think there’s one
thing we all have in common: our unified aversion to mosquitos. Can’t stand ‘em! But, hey, those little vampires are pretty
sensitive to smells, so here are some natural scents you can use to keep mosquitos from
bugging you! 1. Citronella
Of course! Every store you go to during the summertime
will be selling these mosquito-repelling candles. Citronella is from the lemongrass plant and
covers up the smell of carbon dioxide and lactic acid that our bodies give off. Yeah, thanks to that, mosquitoes can smell
your body and get carried right to it like you see in those old cartoons. So, mask your scent with some citronella! 2. Lemongrass
This is a beautiful ornamental grass that originates from Asia. It works like citronella, but even stronger! Want to ditch the candle and make your own
spray? Just mix 2 cups of water with 20-30 drops
of lemongrass essential oil in a medium spray bottle and shake it up. Spray around wherever you’re hanging out
outside, and even on your clothing! You can also plant lemongrass around your
home – it keeps a variety of pests away! 3. Cedar
This one might come as a surprise – mosquitos hate the smell of cedar! The oil in the wood is what gives off its
scent. Cedar repels a lot of other annoying insects
too, like termites and ants. If you read the active ingredients on a standard
commercial insect repellant, you’ll likely see cedar oil on the list. 4. Peppermint
Peppermint is one of the most versatile plants out there. It can be found in an essential oil, teas,
candles, and even lotions! To keep mosquitos away, fill a small spray
bottle with water, 2 large spoonfuls of witch hazel, then add 10 drops of peppermint oil
and shake ‘er up. You could also let a few peppermint leaves
steep in the spray mixture. Spray all over your clothes and body and you’ll
be good to go, and “in mint condition”! No I couldn’t help that. 5. Eucalyptus
Like citronella, the powerful smell of eucalyptus interferes with the mosquito’s senses so
that it can’t find its food (a.k.a. you and me!). You can make a eucalyptus spray mixture just
like that peppermint spray, or try dabbing some eucalyptus essential oil on your wrists
and ankles. And don’t worry, eucalyptus is a super-safe
oil for the skin. It’s a really popular scent in candles too
– try it instead of the citronella candle for a more pleasant scent. 6. Garlic
See, told you they were vampires! Just eating garlic interferes with our pheromones
and makes us smell different, making it hard for mosquitoes to find us. If you eat a lot of garlic, it can virtually
leak from your pores. (Just don’t forget to keep some gum on ya!) Another way to use garlic to repel mosquitoes
and other annoying bugs is by slicing a couple of cloves into skinny slivers and scattering
them around your favorite outdoor hangouts. 7. Lavender
This is an herb that’s super easy to get ahold of – your local organic grocery store
or greenhouse should have some lavender on hand. This is another one you can make the essential
oil mix with, like with the peppermint and eucalyptus. You can also just set small bushels of lavender
around your backyard living area. Combine the peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender
in the essential oil mix and you’ve got a powerhouse defense against mosquitos! 8. Marigolds
The scent of the marigold flower is known for its ultra-strong aroma – so much so
that it’s overwhelming for some people too! Again, the scent-masking strategy comes into
play here. Plant marigolds around your backyard to repel
mosquitos. You could even trim the flowers and put them
in a vase on your outdoor table, and mosquitos will leave you in peace. Their beautiful pop of yellow will add some
color to your mosquito-free outdoor oasis too! 9. Basil
This is another herb that’s easy to find – your local grocery store should have plenty! Take full advantage of this herb by crushing
it and patting it on exposed skin – that lets the oil out. It has a unique scent that really annoys mosquitos,
so give them a taste of their own medicine! Another option is to let whole basil leaves
steep in that magic essential oil spray mix, or simply plant this herb in your garden. Then you can also use it to season your dinner! That’s a win-win! 10. Catnip
Catnip contains nepetalactone, and scientists say its scent is 10 times stronger than your
everyday bug spray. You should be able to find catnip at your
local greenhouse or, of course, the pet store! Just plant this herb in your garden to repel
mosquitos. You can also crush catnip in your hands and
rub the oil all over any exposed skin. Just don’t be surprised if all the neighborhood
cats suddenly come flocking to your house! 11. Rosemary
This is another herb that’s good in the kitchen and for repelling mosquitos. Rosemary is super aromatic, which basically
means it has a powerful but pleasant scent – and bugs hate it! Planting rosemary in your garden can get rid
of whole swarms of mosquitos. It’s also safe enough for the skin to infuse
into unscented lotions or simple sprays to give you full-coverage protection against
these irritating bugs. Pro tip: lay a few sprigs of rosemary around
the grill, and the heat will cause the aroma to waft around your whole yard. There ya go, your next backyard BBQ should
be mosquito-free! 12. Neem Oil
This one comes from the tropical neem flower from the Indian subcontinent. It has powerful properties used in skincare
and makeup. It also has a potent scent similar to mustard
or garlic, and that’s why mosquitos can’t stand it. Use it sparingly though, especially if it’s
your first time handling it. You could dilute it in a small spray bottle
with water, or just put a dab on your wrists. It’s a little pricey too, but, hey, it’s
worth it, right? 13. Sage
The most effective way to use sage against mosquitos is to add it to your outdoor fire. Whether you’re camping or lounging around
the firepit at home, adding sage to your fire will spread its aroma all around. And – booya! – you’re now invisible
to mosquitos! As an added bonus, they don’t like smoke
either! 14. Floss Flowers
These flowers are a gorgeous purple color, so insect-repellant or not, they’re just
a great way to decorate your garden! Plus, they’re an annual, which means they’ll
grow every year once you plant them. They’re a natural mosquito repellent because
they contain a chemical called coumarin. One whiff and those buzzing little you-know-whats
will be flying in the opposite direction. Be careful though – floss flowers are not
safe to ingest for people or pets! And don’t floss with it either. 15. Mint
Nothing but twofers here when it comes to adding delicious herbs to your garden and
keeping your skin free of mosquito bites. The calming scent will get much more pungent
when the plant is dried. So, feel free to give the inside of your home
protection from mosquitos by hanging dried mint or sprinkling clumps of it around the
house or on outside surfaces. This is also another scent that’s really
popular in candles. And gum, of course! (Should be extra helpful if you go with that
garlic-eating trick!) Is there a particular fragrance, tip, or trick
you like to use to repel mosquitos? Let me know what I missed down in the comments! And if you learned something new today, then
give this video a like and share it with a friend! But don’t go bombing the bugs with your
herb garden just yet – we’ve got over 2,000 cool videos for you to check out! Just click on this left or right video and
enjoy. Stay on the Bright Side of life!
