Toilet Paper Trick for Keeping Mosquitoes Away at Home

With the arrival of warmer weather, mosquitoes inside the home become a nuisance again. Many people turn to straightforward, low-cost options, such as the so-called toilet paper trick, which is said to help keep these insects away alongside established protective measures.

What is the toilet paper trick for mosquitoes?

The toilet paper trick uses sheets of paper as a carrier for scents thought to be unpleasant to mosquitoes, helping to reduce their presence in bedrooms, living rooms and verandas. It is not a replacement for window screens, mosquito nets or repellents, but it can be an easy additional measure to try in everyday life.

Typically, the paper is used with essential oils or other strongly scented products, creating a type of scent barrier in the room. The principle is straightforward: distribute the fragrance at strategic points around the home to make the space less appealing to insects, particularly at night.

How to use the toilet paper trick with essential oil?

The most commonly recommended version uses citronella, eucalyptus, lavender or lemongrass essential oil, all known for having a powerful smell that many mosquitoes find unpleasant. The toilet paper acts as a base that holds the oil and gradually releases its scent, with no specialist equipment required.

1. Cut strips of toilet paper and place them on a tray or shallow plate.
2. Select citronella, eucalyptus, lavender or lemongrass essential oil.
3. Add a few drops to the paper, making it damp but not soaked.
4. Position the tray near windows, doors or beside the bed.

As time passes, the scent will fade, so more drops can be applied or the strips can be replaced. While some people say they notice fewer mosquitoes, results may differ depending on how well the area is ventilated and the number of insects locally.

Does the paper and toothpaste trick really help?

A different variation combines toothpaste with kitchen roll to make a roll which, according to online videos, is burned like incense to release smoke and fragrance. This approach is more controversial because it involves fire, paper and containers used indoors.

Those promoting the idea generally set out a particular process, claiming that the combination of strong scent and smoke keeps mosquitoes away for a while.

• Spread toothpaste over a sheet of kitchen roll.
• Roll it lengthways to form a cylinder.
• Put the roll inside a glass jar, leaving one end outside.
• Light the exposed end to release the scented smoke.

Despite its novelty, this method raises the risk of burns and small fires, while also producing smoke in enclosed spaces. For safety, it is wiser to avoid this kind of experiment and choose methods that do not involve flames.

Important precautions and how to fit the trick into your routine

When trying any paper-and-scent trick, it is important to consider ventilation and the comfort of everyone living in the home, especially children, pregnant women, people with allergies and pets. Some essential oils can irritate sensitive airways, so it is always worth starting with only a few drops and stopping use if any discomfort occurs.

Even if the paper trick provides some relief, it should only be considered an additional measure. Steps such as removing standing water from gardens and plant pots, fitting window screens where possible, using mosquito nets over beds, and following health guidance on body repellents remain essential. Together, these measures make the home far less inviting to these unwanted visitors.