do bounce dryer sheets really repel mosquitoes

• The idea came from Master Gardener and trade magazine claims that "sheets of Bounce tucked into pockets of clothing repel mosquitoes."
• A test chamber was set up in a lab. ...
• Adult fungus gnats were released into the chamber.
• The test was to see how many of the gnats flew into each compartment.

More items...

Full Answer

Do Bounce dryer sheets repel bugs?

Bounce fabric softener dryer sheets repel bugs like mosquitoes, gnats and flies. The rumor that Bounce fabric softener dryer sheets work as an insect repellant is true, but it’s also misleading. Bounce fabric softener is scented with oil that works as a natural insect repellant, but low concentrations of it.

Do dryer sheets and fabric softener repel mosquitoes?

No mosquito bites ánd freshly washed sheets, what more could a person ask for in life. Makes laundry a lot more fun for everyone (except the insects). This article will explain how dryer sheets and fabric softener exactly work to repel mosquitoes in an effective way. Let’s be real, it’s a pretty funny way to repel insects. Fresh sheets? Sign me up.

Do bounce sheets repel fungus gnats?

In 2011, researchers at the University of Illinois and Kansas State University tested whether Bounce fabric softener dryer sheets (made by Procter & Gamble) can repel fungus gnats. 1 According to the research: The idea came from Master Gardener and trade magazine claims that "sheets of Bounce tucked into pockets of clothing repel mosquitoes."

Does bounce repel mosquitoes?

According to the research: 1 The idea came from Master Gardener and trade magazine claims that "sheets of Bounce tucked into pockets of clothing repel mosquitoes." 2 A test chamber was set up in a lab. ... 3 Adult fungus gnats were released into the chamber. 4 The test was to see how many of the gnats flew into each compartment. More items...

Does Bounce work as a mosquito repellent?

A few publications claimed that keeping Bounce on your body or near you could repel mosquitoes, however, there's little research that supports this claim. Studies find that some dryer sheets do have characteristics that repel insects.

Can dryer sheets be used as insect repellent?

That is, some dryer sheets do have characteristics that repel some insects. The bugs that are theoretically most likely to shy away from the dryer sheets are certain mites, food-infesting beetles, and weevils, German cockroaches, and, according to one study, fungus gnats.

How do you use Bounce dryer sheets for mosquitoes?

While their ability to act as a bug repellant hasn't been officially proven, dryer sheets provide other bug-related uses. Dryer sheets can help remove dried insects from the windshield and body of your car. Just dip the dryer sheet in water, or spray the affected area with water, and rub off with the dryer sheet.

Do unscented dryer sheets repel mosquitoes?

The University of Illinois ran a scientific test, hypothesizing that dryer sheets would be able to repel insects, specifically fungus gnats. While their hypothesis was successful 1 , they did not test its effectiveness with mosquitoes, though, theoretically, the results should be similar with other insects.

Where can I buy dryer sheets?

For the people who may not do their laundry or don’t do the shopping (I envy you), you can buy any type of dryer sheet at a grocery store. Walmart sells them, Kroger sells them — you can find them at most grocery, convenience, and drug stores.

What chemical is used to repel insects?

The main chemical responsible for repelling insects is linalool a DEET-like ingredient. Heavy amounts of it are found in mosquito repellents and various pesticides. However, dryer sheets only contain small traces while repellents contain large amounts, up to 95%!

Do dryer sheets repel mosquitoes?

The University of Illinois ran a scientific test, hypothesizing that dryer sheets would be able to re pel insects, specifically fungus gnats. While their hypothesis was successful, they did not test its effectiveness with mosquitoes, though, theoretically, the results should be similar with other insects. And while dryer sheets contain chemicals ...

Can you use bounce dryer sheets for mosquitoes?

As mentioned earlier, Bounce is a good option for some scented dryer sheets, though they’re a bit on the pricier side. When needing a repellent, all you need to do is grab the dryer sheet and keep it on you, preferably in your pocket. The scent should act as a sort of aura around you. A smelly, repulsive aura to the mosquitoes.

Do dryer sheets keep mosquitoes away?

Some dryer sheets can keep the mosquitoes away, but they are not as effective as other natural and commercial mosquito repellents. Dryer sheets work best in closed places like a drawer or kitchen cabinets. Still, if you want to try, use bounce dryer sheets.

Do bounce dryer sheets keep mosquitoes away? Do gain dryer sheets repel mosquitoes?

Bounce dryer sheets have stronger fragrant and chemical properties than other dryer sheets, making them a better option for bug repellent.

Do lavender dryer sheets repel mosquitoes? Does rubbing dryer sheets keep mosquitoes away?

Lavender plants are natural mosquito repellent. So what about lavender dryer sheets? If your lavender dryer sheet contains lavender oil in them, it can repel mosquitos around better than other dryer sheets.

Why do dryer sheets repel mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes are common flying insects that you can find everywhere in the world. Humans have developed many techniques to fight these blood-sucking pests. But can dryer sheets be listed as mosquito repellent?

What kind of dryer sheets keep mosquitoes away?

Dryer sheets with more clothe softener chemicals are adequate to keep away other insects and mosquitos. How can you find out what works best to keep the mosquito away? Most strong-smelling dryer sheets work decently to keep the bugs and mosquitoes away.

How to use dryer sheets to keep mosquitoes away?

Although dryer sheets are not super effective in keeping mosquitoes away, you can repel most of them by following some tips. Note that dryer sheets can never be a permanent solution to mosquitos. You can use it in situations like, “Nothing is better than something.” Here are some ways to use dryer sheets to repel mosquitoes.

Final Thoughts

Dryer sheets are not suitable for repelling a lot of mosquitoes. Dryer sheets do have repealing properties, but mosquitos can simply fly away from the dryer sheet. You can use dryer sheets if you do not have other options to repel those irritating insects.

Why do dryer sheets hang on stakes?

You may also see dryer sheets hanging on stakes around gardens to repel deer. While these may indeed work, it is probably because the dryer sheets have been sprayed with a repellent, as advised by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Fish and Wildlife .

What are the volatile compounds in dryer sheets?

Volatile compounds, or volatiles, are those that rapidly evaporate, or disperse into the atmosphere as vapor.

Do dryer sheets repel bugs?

According to some university studies, the answer is yes and no. That is, some dryer sheets do have characteristics that repel some insects. The bugs that are theoretically most likely to shy away from the dryer sheets are certain mites, food-infesting beetles, and weevils, German cockroaches, and, according to one study, fungus gnats.

Does bounce fabric softener repel gnats?

In 2011, researchers at the University of Illinois and Kansas State University tested whether Bounce fabric softener dryer sheets (made by Procter & Gamble) can repel fungus gnats. According to the research:

Does linalool repel beetles?

Studies have found that linalool does indeed have repellent or even toxic effects on some insects, including toxicity to spotted mites, sawtoothed grain beetle, German cockroach, Mexican bean weevil, English lesser grain borer, and rice weevil . Linalool is used in some mosquito repellent sprays.

Do Dryer Sheets Prevent Mosquito Bites?

One scientific study showed that gnats, a species of mosquito-like insects, did have a preference to move away from dryer sheets in a controlled environment. The chemical content of the dryer sheets had mosquito repellent properties. If this would make dryer sheets an effective mosquito bite repellent is uncertain.

How Fabric Softener Repels Insects

Fabric softener (which are used in the process of drying wet laundry) contains certain chemicals to repel mosquitoes and other insects. The two main substances in scientifically proven insect repellent Bounce dryer sheet fabric softener, are responsible for their repellent properties:

Do All Dryer Sheets Keep Insects Away?

As explained, there is no real scientific evidence for dryer sheets to keep mosquitoes away. But Bounce dryer sheets have proven to repel some insects, such as gnats. It’s the only brand of dryer sheets that was scientifically proven (under controlled conditions) to keep insects away.

Fabric Softener Or Anti-Mosquito Trap?

We have concluded that dryer sheets or any type of fabric softener will have some repellent effect on some insects (such as gnats). However, there has been no real evidence of mosquito bites being reduced due to using these type of DIY solutions. This leaves me with a short and simple conclusion.

How to get rid of a car with dryer sheets?

Just dip the dryer sheet in water, or spray the affected area with water, and rub off with the dryer sheet. The chemicals in dryer sheets can dissolve a car’s finish, however, so make sure you reapply wax to keep a glossy finish on your vehicle. Dryer sheets can also be used to protect houseplants from annoying pests.

What is the ingredient in dryer sheets?

The reason for this? Most dryer sheets contain the ingredient linalool, which can be found in plants like lavender, basil, and coriander, all of which naturally repel common garden pests. Similar studies found that this ingredient is also useful for repelling bugs like mites, weevils, beetles, and German cockroaches.

How to get rid of bugs on car windshield?

Dryer sheets can help remove dried insects from the windshield and body of your car. Just dip the dryer sheet in water, or spray the affected area with water, and rub off with the dryer sheet. The chemicals in dryer sheets can dissolve a car’s finish, however, so make sure you reapply wax to keep a glossy finish on your vehicle.

Do dryer sheets keep spiders away?

Although this claim has yet to be proven, some say placing dryer sheets in dark corners or cluttered areas of your home can also prevent spiders and other bugs from nesting since it is believed these bugs are repelled by the smell.

Can dryer sheets be used for mosquitoes?

One of the most frequently cited uses for dryer sheets as a bug repellant is their ability to deter mosquitoes. Some have reported that keeping dryer sheets in your pockets while outdoors can help keep mosquitoes at bay, though there is little scientific research to support this claim.

Do dryer sheets help with pests?

While dryer sheets may help the spread of pesky pests around your home, only one thing is guaranteed to get rid of these bugs once and for all: an eco-friendly, pest control treatment from Aptive Environmental.

How long does citronella repellent last?

In their study, researchers found that citronella-based repellents were only able to deter mosquitoes for 20 minutes or less. While short-term coverage may be useful in some scenarios, it can’t offer you the protection you may need for backyard barbecues or summer campfires. Hedione.

Is citronella oil a natural repellent?

Beta-Citronellol. Beta-citronellol is a naturally occurring property in citronella oil. Citronella is common in most commercial repellent products. As so, many people believe that citronella is a powerhouse repellent, but University of Florida researchers concluded otherwise.

Do dryer sheets protect against mosquitoes?

While some dryer sheets may provide short-term protection, they aren’t efficient in outdoor settings or over long periods of time. If you’re looking to reduce pest populations around your home, schedule an appointment with Terminix®. Our mosquito solution begins working immediately to help protect your property.

Does linalool repel mosquitoes?

Linalool. In a study from the Journal of Vector Ecology, researchers found that linalool diffuse rs deter red mosquitoes by 93%. However, researchers from the Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology found opposing results. Linalool demonstrated a mild to weak repellency against yellow fever mosquitoes.

Do dryer sheets repel mosquitoes?

While they may work temporarily, dryer sheets certainly aren’t a long-term solution to mosquito problems, though. Here’s everything to know about dryer sheets and mosquitoes. The Key Repelling Properties.