5 Smells That Attract Bugs and 5 Smells They Hate!

When enjoying the great outdoors in the summer, the last thing you want is to unknowingly attract bugs. Whether you’re having a barbecue, a family reunion, or just relaxing at the beach, keeping bugs away is a must and you could be attracting them with specific scents.

Did you know there are certain smells that attract insects and others keep them away? Before you pack the car for a weekend camping trip or head out to the lake, make sure to steer clear of these bug-loving smells! 

1. Scented Hygiene Products

Your potential new girlfriend may like the smell of your new cologne, but so do mosquitoes! A quick and simple method for turning into bug bait is to use hairspray to achieve the ideal hairstyle or to sprinkle on your preferred fragrance. 

Cosmetics with potent floral aromas, lactic acids, or alpha hydroxy acids are beacons for flies and other pesky insects. 

2. Sweat

Sweat contains ammonia and lactic acid, which function similarly to floral smells. Although you may have an offensive body odor to individuals, you seem more like food to bugs like mosquitoes.

Sadly, masking the body’s inherent odor that draws bugs with fragrant substances can aggravate the situation. By limiting the release of chemicals that exist in sweat minus the floral aroma, non-floral solutions like unscented deodorant are able to keep pests away.

3. Decaying Matter

This is one of the more obvious ones. Flies love the smell of decay. Whether you have an old banana peel lying around or your pooch went to do his business in your yard, it can attract flies. 

These pests also adore sugar. If you’re having a picnic, make sure to cover any sugar drinks or treats to keep flies away from you and your food! 

4. Herbs

Pollinators may find herbs to be an alluring smell. While most bugs and insects you’ll want to keep away, bees may be one you’ll want to attract. Include plants such as oregano, basil, lavender, and peppermint. 

Bees are fond of bee balm, chamomile, marjoram, sage, rosemary, and thyme. These and other herbs’ powerful scents frequently entice bees to visit your yard. 

5. Alcohol

The season of celebration is summer. There’s nothing better than enjoying an ice-cold beer on a toasty summer afternoon. Sadly, this is bad news for those who are already susceptible to mosquitoes. 

Alcohol can boost your likelihood of becoming a mosquito’s target, per a study published in the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association. This is due to the fact that drinking alcohol raises your body temperature and the amount of ethanol in your sweat.

Smells Bugs Hate

Now that you know what scents attract bugs, how can you get rid of these pesky critters? Here are some of the main smells that bugs can’t stand! 

1. Vinegar

Are you dealing with ants? A lot of insects are unwilling to interact with vinegar. It is well renowned for helping to ward off pests like ants and spiders. 

Additionally, vinegar can be used to eliminate scavenging ant scent trails. Ants may become confused as a result, making it more difficult for them to come back to your yard.

2. Vanilla Extract

Although it is a common ingredient in baking, some insects dislike the smell of vanilla extract. It is thought that pure vanilla extract keeps insects away. The extract will have the reverse effect, though, if it also includes sugar. 

Remember what we said about flies? The sticky residue left behind by sugar attracts a lot of insects. 

3. Marigolds

Bugs are tricky. One minute floral scents attract them, while flowers like marigolds are some of the best deterrents. Marigolds are one of the best fragrances for repelling insects, despite popular belief. 

This flower may not contain mosquito-toxic pesticides, according to a 1990s scientific study. 

4. Eucalyptus

One of the odors that insects detest the most is eucalyptus. These fragrances, specifically linalool and geraniol, generate chemicals that repel insects like mosquitoes which is why they keep them away. 

This explains why candles and soaps with aromas like eucalyptus are frequently used to deter bugs from entering the house. 

5. Lavender

Just about every insect hates the smell of lavender. It’s simple to understand why lavender is so popular as an insect repellent. While people find the smell to be peaceful, pests loathe it, which is why it’s frequently used as an essential oil in massage therapy and mindfulness.  

One approach to repel bugs is to learn how to plant lavender in your garden or put it in a vase in your home. If you don’t have a green thumb, consider using the essential oil or lighting a lavender candle. 

Summary of Scents That Attract Insects