What is the best natural bug repellent for outdoors?
Some plants—such as tea tree, lavender, and basil—emit smells that bugs don’t like, enabling the plants to serve as natural bug repellents. Another handy trick you can implement is placing garlic cloves in potted plants throughout your backyard. Traditionally, a few drops of clove oil used to be put on one’s bed sheets at night to keep the bugs away. Clove oil is a rapid-acting, all-natural insect killer that is effective against mosquitoes, ants, wasps, moths and their larvae, flies, fleas, earwigs, silverfish, mites, aphids, cockroaches and more.A broad range of essential oils is important in a natural bug repellent spray because different species of insects are primarily repelled by different essential oils. Made from a blend of organic essential oils including rosemary, geranium, cedarwood, peppermint, spearmint, lemongrass, clove and citronella.While many plants can serve multiple purposes in your garden, lavender is the most effective at keeping the most insects away18. Though many people love the scent of lavender, insects tend to dislike it. Lavender repels mosquitoes, moths, fleas, flies, and others.The most effective repellents contain compounds like eugenol, citronellal, and geraniol. And as far as scents go, oils like citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass, and peppermint, are the best at keeping mosquitoes, ants, and flies at bay.In addition to the other applications of clove and its oil, its active component, Eugenol, with its strong scent, is found to support its use as an effective insecticide. Medical authors at MedicineNet claim that Eugenol is capable of repelling insects and pests like ants, mites, ticks and spiders.
Does lavender keep bugs away?
While gardeners have long appreciated the beauty of different lavender cultivars and collected the blooms to dry for sweet-scented sachets, entomologists are just discovering that lavender can act as a natural insect repellent. Learn more about the benefits of growing lavender to repel bugs. The journey toward maintaining a bug-free home doesn’t have to involve harsh chemicals. By understanding and utilizing smells insects don’t like, such as those found in citronella oil, peppermint oil, tea tree oil, lavender oil, and neem oil, we can protect our spaces naturally.Almost anything that contains citronella can repel flies and many other pests. Some people burn citronella candles in their homes, while others soak towels in citronella oil. There are also citronella sprays that quickly and easily fill the entire house with the scent—something most people like but most bugs hate.For example, eucalyptus, lavender, citronella and hazel are all known to help prevent bug infestations. Find an essential oil blend that works for you and your home, and take advantage of it on those spring and summer days and nights when you can’t get away from pests.Vinegar spray is one of the most effective homemade bug sprays. It is a natural bug repellent and a weed killer. Mix one part vinegar (white or apple cider vinegar) with three parts water in a spray container and add a teaspoon of dish soap. After thoroughly mixing the contents, spray on the plants.Vinegar is not a very good fly repellent but can help attract fruit flies. In fact, several products that attract fruit flies employ a vinegar attractant and a trap to help capture and control fruit flies.
What is the most effective bug repellent?
Overall, chemical repellents like DEET and picaridin offer long-lasting and wide-ranging protection, repelling mosquitoes, ticks and many fly species. Synthesized plant oils, like lemon eucalyptus oil and IR3535, don’t protect quite as long and are effective against mosquitoes and some tick species. AEROGARD DEET 40% IS OUR HIGHEST STRENGTH PERSONAL INSECT REPELLENT. THIS HEAVY DUTY, LONG LASTING REPELLENT PROVIDES UP TO 12 HOURS PROTECTION AGAINST MOZZIES IN AREAS OF INTENSE INSECT ACTIVITY. IT ALSO REPELS SANDFLIES, LEECHES, MARCHFLIES, TICKS AND OTHER BITING INSECTS.
Does lemongrass repel bugs?
While lemongrass may help reduce mosquito activity, it can also repel other bugs. It’s a good choice if you’re looking for bug repellent plants. Several plants help deter flies and mosquitoes. Basil, rosemary, and mint are great at repelling flies. Citronella, lavender, and marigolds work well against mosquitoes. Planting these around outdoor seating areas can help keep bugs away.Lemon eucalyptus oil. Used since the 1940s, lemon eucalyptus oil is one of the more well-known natural repellents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have approved eucalyptus oil as an effective ingredient in mosquito repellent.Garlic, onions, and apple cider vinegar can repel mosquitoes not when eaten but by being nearby.Another great mosquito repellant is rosemary. Both the New York Botanical Garden and PlantShed recommended this plant. Rosemary is an herb that many of us are very familiar with and their woody scent is exactly what keeps mosquitoes as well as cabbage moths and carrot flies away.
What plant is a natural insect repellent?
Citronella Grass Sort of “the original” for bug repelling, with an overpowering lemony scent. It’s used in many commercial bug repellents and candles. It’s a grass-like plant that grows up to 6 feet tall! What is the best homemade bug spray formula? A blend of citronella, cedarwood, and lemongrass diluted in almond oil and distilled water is effective, gentle, and customizable based on scent or bug type.