What Scents Do Bugs Hate

5 Essential Oils to Keep Bugs Away Peppermint Essential Oil. While most people enjoy the smell of peppermint and find it refreshing, most bugs hate it. Lemongrass Essential Oil. Cedarwood Essential Oil. Lavender Essential Oil. Tea Tree Essential Oil.

What smell keeps bugs away?

Those most closely associated with repellency are citronella oil, eucalyptus oil, and catnip oil, but others include clove oil, patchouli, peppermint, and geranium.

What smell do bugs and insects hate?

Insects hate peppermint. In fact, the stick bug uses a milky substance it can emit from behind its head that fills the air with the scent of peppermint. The bug uses this to fight off predators, as the scent is an unbearable irritant to most insects.