Gnats Be Gone: What Smells Do Gnats Hate?

Gnats are small, pesky insects that are attracted to the smell of rotting food. If you've ever had a gnat problem in your home, you know how annoying they can be. But what if there was a way to get rid of them for good?

There are a few things that gnats hate the smell of, including lavender, mint, and citrus. You can use these smells to your advantage by placing them around your home in strategic locations.

For example, you could put a few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball and place it near any areas where gnats are a problem.

Lavender

The smell of lavender is known to repel gnats. So the next time you're looking for a natural way to keep gnats away, try reaching for some lavender oil. Lavender oil is known for its pleasing scent, but it also has insect-repelling properties.

When applied to the skin, it can help to keep gnats at bay. If you don't have lavender oil on hand, you can also try placing a few drops of lavender oil on a cotton ball and placing it in strategic locations around your home.

Just be sure to stay away from areas where children or pets might be able to reach the oil. With its pleasant scent and effective repellent properties, lavender oil is a great way to keep those pesky gnats away.

Mint

Mint is a plant that has a strong, distinct scent. This scent is offensive to gnats, and as a result, mint can be used as a natural way to repel these pests.

Mint plants can be grown in pots and placed around the perimeter of a room or outdoor space to keep gnats at bay. The strong smell of mint will cause gnats to avoid the area, making it a safe and effective way to protect yourself from these pesky insects.

In addition to repelling gnats, mint can also be used to add a fresh, pleasant scent to your home or garden. So if you're looking for a plant that serves multiple purposes, mint is definitely worth considering.

Citrus

Citrus fruits are a staple of many diets around the world, thanks to their refreshing taste and nutritional value. However, these fruits may also have another use: keeping gnats away.

Fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges contain a high amount of limonene, a compound that has been shown to be effective at repelling gnats. When applied topically, limonene creates an invisible barrier that prevents gnats from landing on skin or clothing.

In addition, the strong citrus smell of limonene is known to be highly effective at masking the scents that attract gnats in the first place. As a result, applying a bit of lemon or orange oil before heading outdoors can help to keep these pesky insects at bay.

Closing thoughts

There are a few different scents that seem to work well at repelling gnats.

  • The smell of lavender is known to repel gnats. You can find the essential oil at most health food stores. Just add a few drops to a diffuser or spray bottle filled with water and enjoy your gnat-free home.
  • Mint is another great option for getting rid of gnats. You can either grow mint plants around your home or use mint-scented products like candles or air fresheners.
  • Citrus is another smell that gnats can't stand. You can use citrus-scented products like cleaners or candles to help keep them away.

If you're tired of dealing with gnats, try using one of these smells to get rid of them for good!