Does lemon help against wasps?

Wasps often take a seat at the coffee table as an uninvited guest in summer. 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, there are numerous home remedies, including lemon oil, for gentle control. But does lemon scent really help repel wasps?

Lemon against wasps

Wasps are very sensitive to odors. This includes the lemon. The sour fruit can be used against the wasps in different ways.

• Lemon scent on the skin
• Citrus oil in the fragrance lamp
• Plant the terrace

Lemon on the skin

When hiking, it is an advantage to wear a repellent scent against insects directly on your body. The essence is either applied to the skin or to clothing. The production takes place as follows:

ingredients

• 125 ml of distilled water
• 125 ml alcohol (depending on the desired intensity)
• 13 drops of lemon essential oil
• a spray bottle

preparation

• mix all the ingredients together
• fill into the spray bottle
• shake well
• spray on skin / clothing

Note: Unfortunately, the scent disappears very quickly, especially during physical activity. If you want to protect yourself permanently, you can reapply the mixture after about two hours.

Citrus oil in the fragrance lamp

During cozy barbecues in the garden, the scent of lemons not only creates a Mediterranean ambience, but also drives away wasps. An aroma lamp is ideal for extensive protection. To use, simply drizzle a few drops of essential fragrance oil into the lamp.

tip: You can get essential oil from citrus fruits in health food stores as well as in well-stocked drugstores.

Plant the terrace

If you don't want to buy an essential oil, you will also find numerous plants that naturally give off the scent of lemons. As a visual enhancement of the terrace, they prove to be a great way to drive away insects. Useful plants include:

• Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus gunii)
• Lime basil (Ocimum citriodorum)
• Turkish Scorpionfish (Dracocephalum moldavica)
• Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora)
• Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)

Protection for pets

Pet owners can also protect their four-legged friends by rubbing cats and dogs with the lemon essence. First, however, you should check how the animal reacts to the drug with a small dose.

Attention: Lemon fragrance oil destroys the UV protective film on human skin in undiluted form. In direct sunlight, the two alternative application methods are therefore more recommended.

Alternative fragrances against insects

But there are also people who can't stand the scent of citrus fruits. The following alternative scents also repel wasps:

• Bergamot
• Fragrant pelargonium
• Spice laurel
• Catnip
• lavender
• sage
• tomatoes
• smoke
• coffee