8 Smells That Attract Bugs You Don’t Want in the House

It doesn’t take much to bring bugs into the house, and a lot of the time, it’s not the crumbs or the garbage—it’s the smells. Bugs have a sharp sense of scent, and certain everyday odors basically act like a welcome mat. If you’ve been dealing with ants, flies, or other creepy crawlers, your nose might be giving them the green light. These are some of the most common smells that attract the kind of bugs nobody wants hanging around inside.

Overripe Fruit

As fruit ripens, it releases more sugar and ethanol into the air—two things that flies and gnats pick up on fast. Leave a few bananas out too long and you’ll see what I mean.

It doesn’t take a full fruit bowl either. Even a forgotten apple core in the trash or a single piece of melon left uncovered can pull in flies from outside. Either eat it, refrigerate it, or toss it before it gets mushy.

Trash and Food Scraps

Your garbage can doesn’t need to be overflowing to attract bugs. All it takes is a bit of food residue or a sticky spill inside the bin to send up an open invitation.

Flies, ants, and even roaches will pick up on those food smells—especially meat, sweet liquids, and anything fermented. Make sure you bag food waste tightly, wipe down your bins regularly, and don’t let trash sit for too long in the summer heat.

Scented Candles

Some candles do more harm than good when it comes to bugs. Fruity or floral-scented candles can attract flies, moths, and even mosquitoes. Bugs don’t know it’s wax—they just follow the smell.

If you like to burn candles indoors or on the porch, stick to scents that repel bugs like citronella, eucalyptus, or clove. Skip anything that smells like a bakery or a bouquet.

Dirty Dishes

Even if you rinsed them, dirty dishes still smell like dinner to bugs. Residual grease, sauces, and crumbs are more than enough to catch the attention of ants or flies overnight.

Letting dishes sit in the sink—even for a few hours—can lead to a buggy mess. Get them in the dishwasher or hand washed and dried before heading to bed, especially in warmer months.

Sugary Spills

Spills from soda, juice, syrups, or alcohol can leave behind sticky spots that smell sweet to humans—but even sweeter to bugs. Ants will find a few drops of juice faster than you think.

Even if it dries and doesn’t seem like a big deal, that sugary residue can keep attracting insects. Wipe spills with more than just a damp rag—use soap or a cleaner that cuts sugar and grease.

Damp Towels and Sponges

That mildew smell you catch when you walk by the sink? Bugs can smell it too. Damp towels, sponges, or dishcloths left sitting around are breeding grounds for bacteria and a signal to moisture-loving bugs.

Silverfish, cockroaches, and even fruit flies are drawn to these damp, funky spots. Swap out your towels often, squeeze out sponges, and let everything dry completely between uses.

Pet Food

Uncovered pet food—dry or wet—releases a strong odor that’s especially attractive to ants, flies, and even mice. It might not smell great to us, but to bugs, it smells like dinner.

If you leave bowls out overnight or don’t clean up spills around the food area, expect some unwanted visitors. Store pet food in airtight containers and only put out what they’ll eat in one sitting.

Dirty Drains

Sink drains can start to smell if there’s a buildup of grease, gunk, or food particles. That sour smell isn’t just unpleasant—it’s a big draw for drain flies and gnats.

Even if you can’t see the buildup, they can smell it. Flush your drains regularly with baking soda and vinegar or hot water to keep things moving and the bugs away.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.