Peppermint. Peppermint essential oil might just be the holy grail of natural pest repellents to leave around your home’s entry points, as it can help keep away ticks, spiders, roaches, moths, flies, fleas, beetles, and ants. Use sachets of this oil near your doors and windows or try making a diffuser or spray.
How do you use peppermint extract to repel bugs?
Try mixing a few drops of peppermint oil with some hot water and place it in a spray bottle. A good ratio is 5 to 10 drops of essential oil per ounce of water. Use the mixture to spray down countertops, furniture, curtains and blinds and hard-to-reach areas of the home where insects are often present.
What does peppermint extract repel?
Use as a pest repellent
Peppermint oil is commonly used to repel ants, flying insects, rodents, and spiders.
Is peppermint extract the same as peppermint oil?
Peppermint oil and peppermint extract are two very different ingredients. Peppermint oil is the pure essential oil derived from peppermint leaves. Peppermint extract is a mixture of peppermint essential oils and alcohol.
What extract keeps bugs away?
Those most closely associated with repellency are citronella oil, eucalyptus oil, and catnip oil, but others include clove oil, patchouli, peppermint, and geranium.
How do you dilute peppermint oil for pest control?
You are supposed to use 100% peppermint oil and either dab it on cotton balls and place them around your home, or use a spray canister and combine two teaspoons of oil for every one cup of water and spray it around where you see the mice.
Why do bugs not like peppermint oil?
That’s because most bugs HATE peppermint! Peppermint has a strong odor that most insects will avoid. It makes a wonderful natural deterrent if you’re looking to avoid pesticides. An interesting fact I learned while researching my peppermint bug spray is that stick bugs use a peppermint odor to repel predators!
Can I use peppermint extract instead of peppermint oil to repel bugs?
Peppermint essential oil kills mold, viruses and bacteria, but it doesn’t kill moths, it just repels them from the area. Peppermint extract, which is less concentrated than the oil, doesn’t kill moths either. Although both repel moths, the essential oil works better since it’s at a higher concentration.
Can you use peppermint extract instead of peppermint oil?
“Peppermint extract is usually not as concentrated and contains alcohol.” You can replace peppermint oil with about three times the amount of peppermint extract, Johnson says.
Can I use mint extract instead of peppermint?
Peppermint extract is stronger than standard mint extracts, but it can be a suitable substitute. You will have to use a higher quantity to achieve a stronger flavor, closer to peppermint.
What happens if you have too much peppermint extract?
Its side effects are claimed to be usually mild and minimally toxic (gastro esophageal reflux, heartburns, nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions and diarrhea). High doses could be hepatotoxic[2] and nephrotoxic (rarely interstitial nephritis and acute renal failure).
Does peppermint extract repel roaches?
Not only is peppermint oil a natural cockroach repellent—it’s also toxic to roaches (and for the record, to bed bugs, too). The same Auburn University study found that mint oil killed both German and American cockroaches when they came into contact with it for an extended period.
Will peppermint extract repel spiders?
If you’re someone who shrieks when you see spiders, you may want to try peppermint oil to get rid of them. Peppermint oil is considered to be a natural insecticide. Spiders, although not technically insects, seem to hate it.
Does peppermint oil attract bugs?
Not only does peppermint oil repel ants, it also repels spiders. In fact, peppermint keeps most pests away, including aphids, beetles, caterpillars, fleas, flies, lice, mice and moths.
What is the best homemade insect repellent?
Mix 1 part oil of lemon eucalyptus or lavender essential oil with 10 parts witch hazel in the bottle. (For each drop of oil, use 10 drops of witch hazel.) Shake gently to mix. Spray to apply.
How long will peppermint oil keep bugs away?
One study published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine found that applying peppermint oil on just one arm of a participant, protected both of his or her arms from mosquito bites for up to 150 minutes.
Is it OK to spray peppermint oil around the house?
Many people enjoy the scent and have used peppermint oil to not only keep nuisances such as mice, roaches, flies and fleas out of their home, they have eradicated infestations for good. Peppermint oil is safe to use in homes with children and pets.
What can I spray on windows to keep bugs away?
Keep Bugs Your of Your Windows by Rubbing Citronella Oil on the Outside. Citronella oil comes from a plant, the citronella plant, native to Asia and South America. Citronella oil is part of the citrus family, including other bug-deterring plants like lemongrass, orange peel, and lime.
What is the recipe of essential oils for pest control?
Find a spray bottle. Fill with 12 ounces of water, 15 drops of citronella oil, 15 drops of lemongrass oil, 10 drops of peppermint oil, and 10 drops of tea tree oil. Spray affected areas and drive them away with the scent.
What kind of peppermint keeps bugs away?
Repelling Pests with Mint
To use mint as a pest deterrent, all you need to do is rub peppermint or spearmint leaves against your bare skin when you are heading outside. Alternatively, create your own repellent spray by adding peppermint or spearmint essential oil to a little witch hazel.
How do you keep bugs away at night?
9 Tips for Keeping Nighttime Bugs at Bay
- Invest in a Ceiling Fan or Portable Fans.
- Clean Your Gutters.
- Strategically Place Citronella Candles.
- Tuck Tea Bags Under Your Deck.
- Plant Marigolds.
- Make Fly-Repelling Sachets or Potpourri.
- Make Peppermint Cotton Balls.
- Repel Pests with Your Fire Pit.