Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 09:00 pm
Wasps not infrequently take a seat at the coffee table in summer as an uninvited guest. Especially people who suffer from allergies should keep the insects away. But as annoying as the animals may be, poison is and remains no solution. After all, they are part of the ecosystem. Fortunately, numerous home remedies, including lemon oil, exist for gentle control. But does lemon scent really help to drive away wasps?
Lemon against wasps
Wasps are very sensitive to odors. This includes the lemon. The sour fruit can be used in several ways against the wasps.
- Lemon scent on the skin
- Citrus oil in the fragrance lamp
- Plant terrace
Lemon on the skin
On hikes it is advantageous to wear a repellent scent against insects directly on the body. Either the essence is applied on the skin or on clothing. The preparation is as follows:
Ingredients
- 125 ml distilled water
- 125 ml alcohol (depending on the desired intensity)
- 13 drops of lemon essential oil
- a spray bottle
Contents
Preparation
- mix all ingredients
- fill into the spray bottle
- shake well
- spray onto the skin/clothes
Note: Unfortunately, the scent evaporates very quickly, especially during physical activity. If you want to protect yourself permanently, reapply the mixture after about two hours.
Citrus oil in the fragrance lamp
During cozy barbecue evenings in the garden, the scent of lemons not only provides a Mediterranean ambience, but also drives away wasps. For far-reaching protection, a fragrance lamp is ideal. To use, simply drizzle a few drops of scented essential oil into the lamp.
Tip: Citrus essential oil is available at health food stores as well as well-stocked drugstores.
Planting the terrace
If you don’t want to buy an extra essential oil, you can also find numerous plants that naturally emit the scent of lemons. As a visual enhancement of the terrace, they prove to be exceedingly useful in driving away insects. Among the useful plants are:
- Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus gunii)
- Lime basil (Ocimum citriodorum)
- Turkish dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica)
- Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora)
- Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Protection for pets
Pet owners can also protect their four-legged friends by rubbing lemon essence into cats and dogs. First, however, they should test with a small dose how the animal reacts to the agent.
Caution: Lemon essence in undiluted form destroys the UV protective film on human skin. Therefore, in direct sunlight, the two alternative methods of application are more recommended.
Alternative fragrances against insects
Now, there are also people who cannot stand the smell of citrus fruits. The following alternative scents drive away wasps as well:
- Bergamot
- Scented geranium
- Spice laurel
- Catnip
- Lavender
- Sage
- Tomatoes
- Smoke
- Coffee