Some scents do repel mosquitoes, but most wear off far too quickly to provide meaningful protection during time spent outdoors.
You’ve probably heard that scents like citronella, lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, and lemongrass repel mosquitoes. The idea of being able to ward off mosquitoes with pleasant-smelling scents is appealing. Light a candle or crush some herbs and mosquitoes leave you alone. But the science isn’t quite there.
It is true that certain compounds, such as citronella and PMD (found in lemon eucalyptus oil) interfere with mosquito scent receptors. Laboratory studies have shown that mosquitoes will avoid concentrated versions of these compounds in controlled settings. The problem is that your backyard in Leominster is not a controlled setting, and the concentrations of these chemicals are far higher than what you’d be able to apply in practice.
Essential oils are aromatic because they evaporate. The volatile compounds within them go into the air, reach your nose, and dissipate from there. In still, humid conditions, a citronella candle might create a small zone of deterrence within a few feet of the flame because of these volatile compounds. But if you step even five feet away, the concentration will be so low it won’t be effective anymore. And when the wind picks up, the volatile compounds dissipate even faster.
Most studies on citronella candles show they reduce bites by roughly 40 to 50 percent at close range. But it’s worth noting that “close” means within a few feet, and more than half of mosquitoes are still able to get through.
Topical essential oil repellents work better because they’re directly on your skin. This solves the concentration problem, but comes with a different one. Namely, even the best plant-based options need reapplication every 30 to 90 minutes. This isn’t the case with DEET or picaridin. Having 30 to 90 minutes of protection works for a quick walk in the garden, but it would be a big hassle at a four-hour cookout.
Citronella and lavender smell nice, but they don’t deal with the mosquito population itself. Smells alone cannot reduce how many mosquitoes are breeding in your yard or resting in your vegetation.
If you are tired of dealing with mosquitoes on your property, Mosquito Squad of Leominster can help. Mosquito Squad can treat the areas where mosquitoes rest and breed across your property. This helps control the population, and when the overall numbers around your home drop, every evening outside becomes more comfortable.
