Summer changes the rules of the game in scenting. High temperatures accelerate evaporation, spaces are ventilated more, and businesses with terraces and outdoor areas face a specific challenge: how to create a pleasant atmosphere in open spaces where heat, humidity, and mosquitoes coexist.
Part 1: Citronella — more than just a repellent
Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) originates from Southeast Asia, and its active components—citronellol, geraniol, and citral—have two documented effects: they repel insects by interfering with their olfactory receptors and create a sense of freshness and positive activation in the human environment.
For businesses with terraces, gardens, or outdoor areas—restaurants, hotels, bars, event venues—this makes it a tool with dual value: it enhances the customer experience and reduces the presence of insects without using aggressive chemicals or leaving artificial odors.
Part 2: Why citronella is ideal for summer
Three reasons make citronella the reference fragrance for summer in businesses:
- Perceived cooling effect: Its citrus-herbal aroma activates the perception of freshness. In a hot space, the brain processes citronella as a signal of a lower temperature. It doesn't lower the thermometer, but it does improve perceived comfort.
- Natural repellency: Documented in multiple studies, citronella acts on the olfactory receptors of mosquitoes and other flying insects, reducing their presence in treated areas. No toxicity, no residue, no impact on the customer experience.
- Seasonal consistency: Seasonal aromas connect with the emotional state of the moment. In summer, citronella and fresh citrus are the olfactory equivalent of lemonade or a sea breeze—aromas that customers perceive as appropriate, natural, and associated with positive experiences.
Part 3: Applications by business type in summer
Restaurants and bars with terraces. The summer terrace is the most valuable asset in summer hospitality. A terrace that smells good and where customers are not bothered by mosquitoes is a terrace that retains them longer and generates more consumption. Continuous diffusion of citronella during outdoor service is the perfect combination.
Hotels with gardens and outdoor common areas. The experience of the pool, garden, or hotel bar terrace largely defines the guest's assessment in summer. Scent is part of that experience. Soft citronella combined with green or citrus notes creates an outdoor ambiance that enhances the resort feel.
Sports centers and gyms with outdoor areas. Outdoor classes, open-air training zones, and swimming pools benefit from citronella scenting that keeps insects away without affecting sports activities.
Part 4: How to implement it correctly
Citronella in outdoor or semi-open spaces requires more powerful diffusion technology than indoors. Domestic ultrasonic diffusers do not have enough range or power for open spaces. Professional nebulizers with higher airflow are the appropriate solution.
BENDIS includes citronella in its fragrance catalog and can advise you on the proper configuration for outdoor spaces based on surface area and ventilation level. bendis.es
