Updated February 20, 2025

Essential oils, the anti-gnat weapon of the pros!

Ah midges... Those annoying little insects that spoil our summer evenings and threaten our precious crops. But did you know that there's a 100% natural solution to get rid of them? Essential oils, genuine organic repellents, are the secret of farmers and gardeners in the know. Find out all you need to know to say goodbye to midges!

Gnats: garden invaders

Gnats are not dangerous, but their presence is undesirable, to say the least. As well as irritating us with their bites, they can also attack plants and crops. Two main factors contribute to midge invasions:

1. Food: like us, midges love good food, especially ripe or damaged fruit. An untidy pantry is a recipe for infestation!
2. Humidity: stagnant water = midge nursery. Your drains, siphons and bathrooms are life-size nurseries for these little creatures. Hundreds of eggs are laid, giving rise to veritable armies!

By limiting these attractive factors, you can reduce midge pressure. But for ultimate effectiveness, adopt the method of the pros: essential oils!

Top 4 anti-gnat essential oils

Certain essential oils have proven incredibly effective at repelling midges. Scientific studies have proven their effectiveness as an alternative to chemical pesticides (see source at end of article). Their aromatic compounds act directly on insects' nervous systems, causing disorientation and repulsion.

Here are the top 4 most powerful essential oils against midges:

1. Bourbon Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
   • Active ingredient: citronellol
   • Up to 85% repellency for 6 hours
   • Use diluted at 5% in a vegetable oil
2. True lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
   • Active ingredients: linalool and linalyl acetate
   • Repellent and sanitizing
   • Diffuses for up to 8 hours
3. Lemon eucalyptus (Eucaplyptus citriodora)
   • Rich in citronellal (>70%)
   • Immediate repellent effect
   • Ideal for humid areas
4. Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus)
   • Effective from 7-10% concentration
   • Protects up to 20m² around the point of application
   • Perfect for gardens and terraces

Reassuring, isn't it? Let's take a look at how to use these essential oils for optimum results.

The recipe for killing midges

Aromatherapy experts have developed formidable formulas that effectively repel midges. Easy to make yourself, they provide lasting protection for your home and garden. Here are two recipes, one for professionals, the other for amateurs:

The powerful spray for professionals

Mix in a 500ml bottle:

• 30ml essential oil of Geranium bourbon (Pelargonium graveolens)
• 25ml essential oil Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
• 25ml essential oil of Java citronella(Cymbopogon winterianus)
• 20ml essential oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora)
• 400ml vegetable oil Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis)

Spray on infested areas every 3-4 days. This synergy reduces midge populations by up to 78%, with a long-lasting residual effect (72 to 96 hours).

The easy lotion for amateur gardeners

In a 100ml spray bottle, mix :

• 15 drops essential oil of Geranium bourbon(Pelargonium graveolens)
• 10 drops essential oil of Java citronella(Cymbopogon winterianus)
• 100ml water
• 5ml natural emulsifier such as Solubol®.

Spray generously around the house, on terraces and in crops. Repeat as necessary. It's as easy as 1-2-3!

Application secrets from the experts

For safe use and maximum effectiveness of your essential oil preparations, follow these expert tips:

• Always test on a small area before applying widely.
• Do not spray directly onto edible plants
• Follow recommended dilutions
• Protect your hands with gloves
• Keep out of reach of children
• Avoid contact with eyes
• Spray early in the morning or at the end of the day, when it's coolest.
• Monitor midge populations on a daily basis
• Adjust doses if necessary

By following this advice, essential oils will offer you optimum protection against midges, while preserving your health and the environment.

Why choose essential oils?

The advantages of essential oils over chemical insecticides are numerous:

• Scientifically proven efficacy
• No risk of insect habituation
• Long-term savings (-30% on treatment costs)
• Reduced environmental impact
• A solution in line with organic farming
• No effect on pollinating insects

In addition to getting rid of midges, essential oils allow you to garden naturally with complete peace of mind. Plants, animals, humans - it's a win-win situation!

Would you like to use essential oils in your fight against midges? At Landema, our expertise in aromatherapy is at your service.

Discover our wide range of professional-quality essential and plant oils, as well as personalized advice on how to pamper your plants, on our website landema.com.

With Landema, say goodbye to gnats and hello to happy gardeners! Ready to take the plunge?

Landema, a subsidiary of the family-owned Biolandes group, specializes in online sales of essential oils and other plant extracts of the highest quality, direct from the producer. We offer professionals and consumers the benefit of over 40 years' know-how in the cultivation, extraction and quality control of a wide variety of aromatic plants.

Scientific reference study:

Repellent activity of essential oils, a review, Oct. 2009