What smells do mosquitoes hate?

What smells mosquitoes hate includes several strong, pungent smells that interfere with their ability to find hosts or have repellent properties, though no smell alone provides complete protection and should be combined with repellents and prevention. Smells mosquitoes hate most include citronella oil, which is commonly used in candles and repellents and has repellent effect though evidence shows limited duration, lemon eucalyptus oil, which contains PMD and is recommended by CDC as effective repellent, lavender oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and tea tree oil that have repellent properties. They hate smell of garlic, though eating garlic does not repel them as myth suggests, but garlic oil spray may have some effect. They dislike smell of basil, rosemary, and lemongrass when planted. However, strongest protection comes from EPA registered repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus that mask human odors mosquitoes use to find hosts like carbon dioxide and sweat. To use smells mosquitoes hate, you can apply repellent with these oils, but essential oils evaporate quickly requiring frequent reapplication and should be used carefully around pets. Most effective mosquito prevention is eliminating standing water where they breed, emptying flower pots, tires, gutters weekly, using Bti dunks in water that cannot be emptied, installing screens, using fans outdoors as mosquitoes weak fliers, and wearing light colored long sleeves at dusk and dawn when most active.