Scientists Say Whitney Houston and Adele Songs May Be Natural Mosquito Repellent—Here’s Why
Studies reveal extreme pitch changes in music confuse bugs and reduce biting attempts.
Key Takeaways
- Research suggests songs with extreme frequency and pitch changes may disrupt mosquitoes' biting
- Power ballads by Whitney Houston and Adele are examples of tunes we love that bugs hate.
- Music should be used alongside proven methods like bug spray and screens.
If you hate mosquito bites but love Adele or Whitney Houston, we’ve got amazing news: Recent research suggests songs like “Rolling in the Deep” and “I Will Always Love You” may act as a kind of natural mosquito repellent. Yep, you read that right. A study published in the journal Acta Tropica found mosquitoes exposed to music with extreme variations in frequency and an escalating pitch took four to six times longer to locate a target and made significantly fewer biting attempts than mosquitos in a quiet environment.
And since the type of music that seems to bother bugs is also fun for humans, “I personally would listen to it even if it had no impact on mosquitoes whatsoever,” shares UNLV entomologist Louisa Messenger, PhD, MSc. So whether your taste leans toward experimental electronic tracks, classic power ballads or country, keep scrolling to find songs you can use to create the Ultimate Anti-Mosquito Summer Playlist.
The fascinating science behind music as a natural mosquito repellent
Studies were conducted between 2019 and 2025 by a team of scientists looking for new ways to help prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases like Dengue fever and Zika virus. They were testing the theory “that complex, loud or rapidly changing sounds may interfere with the mosquito’s ability to process biologically meaningful cues,” explains Messenger.
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Though tests were confined to a lab and not a typical outdoor setting, the music did appear to have a significant impact. Not only did tunes reduce biting, but mosquitoes exposed to music also mated five times less often than those in silence—and every disrupted mating means hundreds of insects that never exist. The findings led scientists to conclude music-based strategies could offer environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical pest control.
Of course, “these were highly controlled lab studies using one mosquito species, short observation periods, small cages and artificial sound exposure,” she notes. So lots more testing and refinement is needed to figure out if and how Adele and Whitney might replace DEET. Yet there’s no need to wait to test the strategy. You can use music as an extra layer of protection on top of traditional strategies like bug spray, window screens and zappers—and you can start today!
Will your favorite tunes really repel mosquitos?
Researchers conducted initial testing using electronic music from Skrillex, an artist whose signature style features many extremes in frequency, pitch and volume. But if electronic music isn’t your thing, no worries. A follow-up study in the Journal of Vector Borne Diseases confirmed that other genres are effective too. Even John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” threw mosquitos off their game when played loudly.
So which tunes are most likely to keep pesky bugs away on a summer night? You’ve got great options.
Your ultimate summer party playlist—the mosquito-disrupting edition
Songs with qualities mosquitos hate build and drop, soar and thunder, move from quiet and intimate to full-on explosive. Put any or all of the following on repeat during your next evening outdoors:
“Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” by Skrillex
Chosen by researchers specifically for its extreme swings between very high and very low frequencies—essentially, the sonic equivalent of whiplash.
“I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
That hushed a cappella opening followed by the full-band eruption and Whitney’s earth-stopping high notes is a masterclass in exactly the dramatic contrast that seems to bother mosquitoes.
“Rolling in the Deep” by Adele
Thundering percussion, a deep driving groove and a voice that climbs to the rafters. The shift from verse to chorus alone is enough to disorient anything within earshot.
“The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac
That bass line drop in the bridge is one of the most dramatic low-frequency moments in the history of recorded music—immediately followed by the band pushing hard into the upper register.
“River Deep—Mountain High” by Tina Turner
Produced specifically to be one of the most sonically overwhelming recordings ever made. Enormous bass, enormous highs, enormous everything.
“Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler
Quiet and haunting to full orchestral chaos in under two minutes. One of the most dramatic sonic journeys in pop music history.
“Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson
The explosive shift from verse to chorus, with Kelly’s voice cutting brilliantly into the high register over a driving rock bottom end is pure mosquito chaos.
“Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé
That horn-stab intro hits hard and low, and Beyoncé’s vocals soar relentlessly throughout. High energy, wide range, zero chill.
“Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” by Shania Twain
Punchy, driving bass, bright slashing guitar and Shania’s voice cutting clean and high through the mix. Also just an extremely good time.
“Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi
The talk-box intro, the key change, the massive chorus—a sonic rollercoaster from the first note to the last.
“My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion
Starts soft and intimate, builds to one of the most powerful crescendos in pop history. Deep orchestral bass meets a soprano that could shatter glass.
“Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by the Eurythmics
That hypnotic synth bass driving hard against Annie Lennox’s cool, cutting vocals creates stark high-low contrast that makes this song unsettling to mosquitoes.
“I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Raw, driving and built on a riff that hits hard in the low end while Joan’s voice slices clean and bright right through it. Simple, powerful and absolutely relentless.
“Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + the Machine
Starts as a whisper and explodes into one of the most joyful, full-throttle eruptions in modern music. Florence Welch’s voice alone covers more ground than most entire bands.
Music as natural mosquito repellent is a fun new layer of protection
Excited to pump up the jam? Us too! But keep in mind that on a sultry summer night, body heat and body odor rising off potential victims is highly motivating to mosquitos. “Music should not be treated as a substitute for proven protection,” cautions Messenger. But it can absolutely be the most fun weapon in your arsenal!
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