While often used for cleansing and meditation, incense can also be used to deter pests like mosquitoes. But it all comes down to the scent you use. To really kick bugs to the curb, you should opt for scents that naturally repel bugs. The truth is, not every incense scent is going to repel flies, mosquitos, and other nasty flying insects.
How Does Incense Repel Bugs & Mosquitoes
While there aren’t any studies proving (or disproving) that incense will repel bugs or mosquitoes, we can go off of people’s collective personal experiences to determine that some scents will in fact deter pesky flying insects.
Incense repels bugs and mosquitoes thanks to two factors: scent and smoke. Smoke will naturally cause bugs to fly away because of its association and proximity to heat which is clearly dangerous to flying insects. Scents that are particularly strong will often be offensive to mosquitoes.
Which Incense Scents Should I Use to Repel Mosquitoes & Other Bugs?
Incense scents that can be used to repel mosquitoes and other flying bugs include citronella, peppermint, lavender, lemon balm, cedar, and other heavier scents. Lavender and citronella have been reported to be the most effective based on people’s personal experiences.
Are There Incense Sticks Specifically for Mosquito Repellant?
While you’re unlikely to find incense specifically for repelling mosquitoes in your local metaphysical shop, you can hunt down specially made sticks from online retailers. Reed’s Handmade Incense and Murphy’s Naturals both opper mosquito repellant incense sticks. Incense can be a more natural way to fend off mosquito bites.