What smell do hornets hate the most?

Hornets hate several strong, pungent smells that irritate them or interfere with their ability to find food and communicate, though no smell alone provides complete protection and should be combined with preventive measures. Smells hornets hate most include peppermint oil, which is commonly cited as most effective natural repellent with strong mint scent that hornets dislike, eucalyptus oil, citronella, clove oil, lemongrass oil, and tea tree oil that have repellent properties. They hate the smell of vinegar, particularly white vinegar, and strong spices like cinnamon and cayenne pepper. Hornets also dislike smell of garlic and some herbs like basil, thyme, and rosemary when planted near outdoor areas. To use smells to repel hornets, you can mix few drops of peppermint oil with water in spray bottle and spray around windows, doors, and outdoor seating areas, or place cotton balls with peppermint oil near areas where hornets frequent, or plant herbs like basil, thyme, and rosemary in garden. However, essential oils evaporate quickly requiring reapplication and should be used carefully around pets, especially cats as concentrated oils can be toxic. While these smells may deter hornets to some extent, hornets will tolerate unpleasant smells if food is present, so scent repellents are supplemental. Most effective hornet prevention includes keeping food and sweet drinks covered outdoors, sealing trash cans, and removing nests professionally if near home.