Indoor plants in your home can bring aesthetics and make your house more beautiful. Homeowners are even incorporating plants into their interior design. But having plants in your home could bring in an unwanted visitor – gnats.
Gnats like to eat the damaged roots of plants. If left untreated, they could kill your plants. And people work hard to take care of their plants.
But they could all die if you have a gnat infestation. Plus, their swarms can be annoying.
Fortunately, there are ways you can repel gnats. And one inexpensive way to do this is to use essential oils. So if you are wondering what essential oil repels gnats, continue reading this article.
Gnats are very annoying insects. And they can also destroy your indoor plants. Fortunately, there is an inexpensive way to repel them by using essential oils, like:
- Peppermint Oil.
- Lavender Oil.
- Thyme Oil.
If gnats keep bothering your home, the essential oils below should help repel them.
12 Essential Oils That Can Repel Gnats
Gnats are annoying insects that can destroy your plants if you can’t get rid of them. And while most people like to use insecticides to eliminate them. There’s a much more environmentally-friendly approach. And these are essential oils.
There are plenty of essential oils that can repel gnats. And below are twelve of them that you can use to protect your plant.
1. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint has a strong aroma and toxicity. That is why it is effective in repelling gnats. Once these insects get a whiff of peppermint oil, they’ll instantly leave the area.
But even though gnats hate peppermint oil, it has a pleasing smell to humans. So you’ll not only repel the annoying insects. But you’ll make the area more pleasant to smell.
If you want to make your own natural repellent spray, mix peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and spread the smell in gnats-infested areas. Or you can buy pre-made ones in stores.
2. Lavender Oil
Another essential oil that is pleasant to smell but can get rid of gnats is lavender. It’s an essential oil used by some in aroma therapies. But its strong, floral scent can also repel gnats. But it will not kill them.
3. Thyme Oil
Gnats also don’t like the strong scent of thyme.
There are plenty of dishes that use thyme as a recipe. And you can easily grow some in your home. You can use the fragrant scent of thyme oil to repel gnats and for cleaning to make your home smell nicer.
4. Lemon Oil
You may find it in air fresheners and cleaning sprays. But lemon oil is also great for keeping gnats away from your home, especially your indoor plants. So your home will not only smell lemony-fresh but also gnat-free.
5. Geranium Oil
If you want your home to smell like flowers, you can use geranium oil to keep gnats at bay and away from your home. The strong floral scent will keep your home smelling fresh while actively repelling gnats.
This essential oil is a great option for those who want to bring spring to their homes.
6. Eucalyptus Oil
You have probably smelled eucalyptus before and its potent aroma. But did you know you can use eucalyptus oil to repel gnats away from your plants and property? You just need to mix the oil with water in a spray bottle and spray your plants and other active areas.
7. Rosemary Oil
Try giving your home a fresh scent by using rosemary oil to repel gnats. It may be another herb used for cooking, but it also works great as a gnat-repellent. You can plant some in your garden to have a steady supply in your hand.
8. Citronella Oil
Citronella oil is also great for repelling gnats. You can even buy candles that have citronella in them to repel other flying insects like mosquitoes. That is why most people are reminded of summer when they smell citronella because they bring citronella-scented candles when they camp.
9. Lemongrass Oil
If you don’t have any lemon oil, you can try using lemon grass oil to freshen up your home. Its strong scent can keep gnats away. So you’ll not make your home more pleasant to smell, but you’ll also ensure no gnats will swarm the place.
10. Garlic Oil
Another oil that people use in their dishes that you can use as a gnat repellent is garlic oil. But not many people are fond of garlic because it can have a pungent smell. But if you have gnat infestation in your home, you can use garlic oil as a first aid to keep them away.
You can follow this up with pleasant-smelling essential oil, like lemon oil or citronella oil, to make your home smell nicer.
11. Mint Oil
Mint may smell nice and remind you of mojitos. But its scent can repel gnats away from your home.
Besides the typical mint, you can also use these types below:
- Apple Mint
- Spearmint
- Pennyroyal
- Water Mint
- Corsican Mint
- Pineapple Mint
- Chocolate Mint
12. Cedarwood Oil
The earthy scent of cedarwood may bring the smell of the mountain inside your home. But it can also repel gnats.
You just need to mix cedarwood oil with water and spray problematic areas. And you’ll quickly get rid of those pests away.
Conclusion
Gnats are annoying insects that can form swarms in your house. They can also destroy your plants as they feed on damaged roots. Fortunately, you can repel them with essential oils, like peppermint oil, lemon oil, garlic oil, and peppermint oil.
So if you know anyone wondering what essential oil can repel gnats, sharing this article should give them answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Gnats Dangerous?
Most gnats species are harmless to humans. But they can be annoying, especially when they form swarms. They can also destroy your house plants since their larvae like to eat plant roots.
What Are Gnats a Sign Of?
If you have a gnat infestation in your home, it could be a sign you are overwatering your indoor plants. Or there is moisture buildup in your drainage pipes or your house.
Why Are Gnats Annoying?
Gnats are attracted to moisture. And your eyes, nose, and mouth are moist places. That is why they like to come to your face.
But they’ll go away once they realize somewhere they are not supposed to be.
