Does putting Irish Spring soap on the porch repel mosquitoes? Nope. Even if the scent were to repel insects, “the potency will not be direct enough to repel flying bugs,” says Crumbley.
These tips show you how to repel bugs indoors and outdoors using Irish spring soap. Rub Irish spring soap onto doors and door edges. Rub Irish spring soap on outdoor tables and chairs. Place a bar of soap inside a porch centerpiece. Reapply: a good rain will wash the Irish spring bar soap away so remember to reapply!
Written by Dan Gray on May 10, 2023 — Fact checked by Jessica Beake, Ph. D. New research analyzes the interplay between soap scent, the body's unique odor profile, and mosquito attraction. Researchers say coconut-scented soaps were among the most effective at repelling mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes hate the smell of lavender, citronella, clove, peppermint, basil, cedarwood, eucalyptus, peppermint, lemongrass and rosemary. They also hate smells such as smoke, for further insight, see our exploration on, does smoke keep mosquitoes away.
Repelling Pests Irish Spring soap is renowned for its ability to deter certain pests due to its strong fragrance. Grate the soap into shavings and scatter them around your garden beds. This can help repel common pests like deer, rabbits, and even certain insects.
Irish Spring soap is supposed to leave you “fresh and clean as a whistle,” but some people ave found that it is also a good deterrent for pests like flies, mosquitoes, mice, and rats. Getting rid of bugs and other pests naturally can be a challenge.
For a "foolproof recipe" that banishes mosquitoes, combine 1/3 cup witch hazel and 1/3 cup water with 40 drops of eucalyptus essential oil. "Mosquitoes detest the strong aroma of eucalyptus, so this easy homemade mosquito repellent is sure to be a winner," says Harlow-Ellis.
Birds, frogs, tadpoles, fish, toads, salamanders, spiders, red-eared slider turtles and many types of insects all play vital roles in keeping the mosquito population at bay. Some creatures, like the small brown bat, can catch up to 600 mosquitoes in just one hour.
Repel Indoor and Outdoor Pests
It's a well-known hack used by green thumbs to keep pests out of their gardens, but it can also help prevent them from entering your home. The reason Irish Spring soap works well as a deterrent for bugs, rodents, and other unwelcome critters is the strong scent.
As a household cleaner, Pine Sol is formulated to clean surfaces and leave a fresh scent, not to repel insects. Its ingredients do not include any compounds known to deter mosquitoes effectively.
“There is no scientific evidence,” says David Price, an entomologist at Mosquito Joe. Some soaps with essential oils can repel insects for a short time but, “Irish Spring soap specifically doesn't have enough quantity to register for mosquitoes [and] no ingredients that would repel flies,” he says.
Mosquitoes avoid people who smell like coconut. In May, a small study found that people who used a coconut-scented soap were bitten less than the control volunteer.
“Covering up as much as possible during the summer is really important, and applying an EPA-registered insect repellent, with ingredients such as DEET and picaridin,” McMeniman said. For people who prefer botanical products, he recommends oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Mosquitoes are drawn to human scent, but certain natural odors can keep them away. For those enjoying time outdoors, using repellents like citronella, eucalyptus, or lavender offers a chemical-free way to repel these pests. These essential oils are effective and provide a pleasant scent.
Studies have shown that the scent of dryer sheets is not strong enough to deter mosquitoes for a long period of time, and they may even attract other insects.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus is the most potent natural mosquito repellent. A DEET-free alternative to commercial mosquito repellent, oil of lemon eucalyptus is the only natural insect repellent recommended by both the EPA and CDC.
Apply a small amount of the product to your skin or clothes to deter the pests. The potent smell keeps the mosquitoes away, however, if you do find yourself being bitten, a small amount of Vicks placed upon the bite can also help to reduce the itching.
3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent Lotion
Another top-selling mosquito repellent lotion is Ultrathon Insect Repellent Lotion from 3M. This lotion contains about 34% DEET to repel not only mosquitoes, but biting flies, chiggers, deer flies, ticks, gnats, and fleas.
Basically, to avoid being a mosquito-target you should stay as scent-free as possible, wear light clothes, avoid bogs and use an effective repellent (such as those containing DEET or icaridin).
Can scattering soap repel bugs? Bars of soap and shavings can temporarily deter bugs. The scent of soap can discourage insects and provide a temporary fix, but the perfume scent will quickly fade with summer heat and rainfall.
While there's no scientific evidence to back it up, some people say that adding a bar of soap under your sheets helps soothe their RLS-related cramps. Grove Co.'s Lavender soap is a good choice, as the soothing scent of lavender has a calming effect that'll help you relax and drift off to sleep.
For example, that Irish Spring soap can repel rodents by using shavings to create a barrier around your home to deter mice and rats. The idea is that the rodents will be turned away by the strong smells of the perfume that is used in Irish Spring.