Does lavender really repel bugs?

Author: Madaline Marvin III  |  Last update: Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Lavender But along with its soothing floral aroma, this powerhouse essential oil is also effective at battling bugs. Lavender pillows and sachets are wonderful in linen cupboards and dressers and will keep away moths and other insects while leaving a fresh scent.

What bugs does lavender keep away?

Aside from smelling lovely, lavender plants are known to repel moths, fleas, mosquitos and even flies -- which is why I had so much of it planted around our old chicken yard! You can also harvest bouquets of lavender to hang by your windows and doors so that flies don't come inside your home.

What is the most effective natural bug repellent?

10 natural insect repellents to try
  • Castor oil.
  • Cinnamon.
  • Citronella.
  • Cloves.
  • Garlic.
  • Peppermint.
  • Rosemary.
  • Sesame oil.

Is it true that lavender keeps mosquitoes away?

Yes, lavender essential oil is known to repel certain bugs, particularly mosquitoes, moths, and flies. The scent of lavender is often pleasant to humans but can be off-putting to insects. Many people use lavender oil in homemade insect repellents or diffuse it in their homes to help keep bugs at bay.

What scent do bugs hate the most?

Peppermint and marigold are good repellents and can work safely inside. Also orange, lemon, lime and other strong citrus fragrances will drive a way pests while freshening a room.

Does Lavender Repel Mosquitoes? My Test Didn't Go Well! And the BEST Natural Insect Repellant!

What actually keeps bugs away?

Some plants, like lavender, marigold, citronella grass, rosemary, and basil, naturally repel bugs. Lavender is particularly popular as a natural, people-and-pet-safe pest control plant. The aroma of lavender is too strong for small insects and discourages them from flying near the area.

What do roaches hate and stay away from?

Peppermint oil, cedarwood oil, and cypress oil are essential oils that effectively keep cockroaches at bay. Additionally, these insects hate the smell of crushed bay leaves and steer clear of coffee grounds. If you want to try a natural way to kill them, combine powdered sugar and boric acid.

Is lavender toxic to dogs?

Lavender contains linalool, a compound toxic to pets, including dogs. However, while linalool is toxic to dogs in large amounts, toxicity in dogs is rarer than it is in cats. That being said, dogs can become poisoned by eating a large amount of lavender from the plant or essential oils.

Is peppermint or lavender better to repel mosquitoes?

Peppermint

If you would rather have a fresh and minty aroma in your bug spray than an aggressive chemical smell, peppermint is the perfect choice. Peppermint is a natural insecticide that kills and repels mosquitoes. In one study, M. ×piperita showed repellent action when applied to exposed body parts.

Does lavender keep spiders away?

Lavender is a strong scent that can repel spiders. It contains a non-toxic compound called linalool, which is an essential component found in insect repellants. You may use Lavender essential oils, candles or incense sticks. The critical point is that lavender does not kill spiders; it merely repels them.

Why is DEET banned in Europe?

DEET is a widely used repellent that deters pests by making it harder for them to smell humans. Despite being effective, it has faced controversy over potential health and environmental impacts, including skin irritation and toxicity concerns. Some countries have even banned DEET due to these risks.

How do you keep bugs away permanently?

CREATE BUG BARRIERS
  1. Caulk foundation cracks and gaps around windows and doors where bugs can enter from the outside.
  2. Add weather stripping and door sweeps. ...
  3. Repair any holes in drywall and caulk gaps around floor molding where insects can invade your home from neighboring units.

What does lavender attract?

Ecological Uses: Lavender attracts butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects to the garden, making it a great choice for pollinator gardens! It's also a natural pest and deer repellant, thanks to its high essential oil content.

How do you use lavender as insect repellent?

But if you're in the mood for a simple project, you can easily make your own mosquito repellent spray: Mix 1 part of lavender essential oil with 10 parts witch hazel, in a spray bottle.

Does lavender come back every year?

Lavender is a perennial, so it will come back every year as long as you care for it properly, which includes giving it plenty of sun, a little bit of water, and a lot of love. If all of its needs are met, you can expect your lavender plant to bloom every year, for about three to five years.

Does anything actually work to repel mosquitoes?

Yes: DEET. A repellent with DEET tells mosquitos to buzz off loud and clear. You'll need one with at least 20% DEET to protect your skin for several hours at a time, although more than 50% doesn't work any better (kids should use 10%-30%).

What is the best lavender for repelling bugs?

Include beautiful lavender in your garden plans to help keep biting mosquitoes at bay. Varieties with higher camphor properties are the most effective insect repellents. This includes 'Provence' and 'Grosso' lavender. On a sunny day, lavender releases its aromatic oils naturally.

Can I spray lavender around my dog?

A light spray of lavender oil on your dog's favorite blanket can help keep them calm during a thunderstorm. But too much of any scent could cause stress or even adverse physical reactions for your pup – so go easy on the drops you add to your diffuser!

Is lavender poisonous to humans?

Lavender applied to skin may cause irritation in some people. Oral use of Lavender may cause constipation, headache, and increased appetite. Lavender oil is toxic if taken orally.

Are marigolds toxic to dogs?

Some varieties of marigolds are toxic to pets, but Garden Marigolds are a safe, non-toxic option to consider. With their distinctive golden color and strong aroma, known to keep bugs away, Garden Marigolds are the perfect flower to keep your garden growing well while keeping your dogs safe and healthy.

Will sleeping with the light on keep cockroaches away?

Leaving the light on doesn't deter cockroaches effectively because they can navigate in low-light conditions. While they're mostly active at night, they may still come out in search of food or water. During the day, cockroaches hide in dark areas not directly exposed to light.

What is a cockroaches' biggest weakness?

Cockroaches are blessed with an amazing sense of smell. This is what they use when seeking food and mate but at the same time, this is also their weakness. A cockroach's sense of smell can be used to get rid of them.

What smell do roaches love?

Strong Odors

An unsealed bowl of sugar or open box of sweet cereal can also seduce their senses. Nice smells aren't the only ones they love. The smell of garbage, a compost pile or dirty laundry whets their appetites. They find collections of grocery bags and empty boxes with the faint smell of food delicious.

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