What Smell Do Water Bugs Hate

I have recently been facing a water bug invasion in my yard and getting rid of these critters has proven to be a challenge.  

While there are many methods to drive them away, the simplest one that I’ve seen is using scents to deter them from the yard. So, I have looked around to find what smell do water bugs hate to get rid of them for good. 

If you want to know more, keep reading! 

What Smell Do Water Bugs Hate? 

Essential Oils 

One of the most effective scents that work against any type of bug is essential oils. These oils have the benefit of not only deterring bugs but also keeping your home smelling fresh. Although they will not be enough to completely kill the water bugs, the fragrance will be enough to prevent them from invading further. 

How To Apply Them? 

Choose the essential one you would like to use, but we’d suggest opting for the peppermint variant, as is a very effective option. 

Mix seven to ten drops of the oil into a cup of warm water and stir it in to create a solution. Look for points of entry where the bugs may be coming from and spray the solution into these cracks. Make sure you are also reapplying the solution every few days to keep the smell lingering, as it’s likely to dissipate after a few days. 

What Else Can You Do? 

While using the solution of essential oils and water every few days may help deter water bugs, it is not a viable permanent solution. By taking a few extra steps, you can significantly lower the density of water bugs in the area, leaving you with fewer to deter with the oil solution. 

As is evident from the name, water bugs are attracted to standing pools of water, so eliminating these puddles as soon as possible can help keep their numbers down. Other sources of water like pools also need a cover or regular draining to make sure they aren’t attracting water bugs. 

Another thing that can attract them are exposed garbage bins and food waste, so make sure you have tight lids on all your disposal containers.

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