While peppermint is generally a bug repellent, there are some types of insects that are actually attracted to the smell of mint and/or mint plants. The really neat thing is that the insects mint attracts are actually beneficial!
Studies show that peppermint oil is a great method of repelling bugs. The strong scent of peppermint drives bugs out and keeps them away from the area where peppermint has been placed. Truthfully, using peppermint is a great way to rid your home of bugs and keep your home pest-free!
Plus, mint oil is a repellent, so the roaches will likely stay away from it. It's possible that cockroaches avoid the scent of mint oil because it's poisonous to them.
Some of the creams and shampoos, smell appealing to wildlife.) Castor, peppermint, and spearmint oils are odors that digging and burrowing animals dislike. (This can include groundhogs, mice, moles, rats, skunks, voles, and others.)
Peppermint oil
It repelled every single fly from the area where it was applied. And it continued to work just as well for six days after application. The study used neat peppermint oil. You could try smearing some on door and window frames to keep the flies away.
So we have a plant oil that gets rid of “bad” bugs and attracts the good ones! Certain types of wasps and flies are attracted to mint. At first it would sound like you wouldn't want those around, but here's why you might… Wasps are helpful pollinators and having them around can actually increase fruit production.
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.
Peppermint oil is an effective method for keeping mice and rats away. These rodents cannot stand this oil's robust and minty smell, so a few drops around your home can go a long way in keeping them away.
Peppermint oil smells great to humans and is a good alternative to commercial pesticide. It is a natural insecticide that repels mosquitoes, flies, ants, beetles, and more. In addition, it deters raccoons, woodpeckers, and mice.
Scent-based repellents such as peppermint essential oil are one of the most effective rodent control methods that utilize strong smells to repel mice.
Peppermint oil is toxic to dogs and can cause mild to severe symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, and even lethargy. Peppermint oil poisoning can be fatal, especially if it's not treated as soon as possible. If you believe your dog has consumed peppermint oil, take them to the vet as soon as possible.
Peppermint oil, listed in some products as menthol, is toxic to cats when ingested or inhaled. Of note, some formulations (like wintergreen oil) may contain aspirin derivatives, making them even more dangerous for cats. Birds are also indicated for this toxicity.
A 2017 article in the Journal of Economic Entomology published findings that yes, peppermint oil deters spiders. During the study, two spider species (of three tested) avoided entering areas sprayed with this oil 75 percent of the time. So, as a barrier spray peppermint oil is a definite option.
Mint. The unmistakable scent of mint is a great insect repellent, and can be very effective at preventing spiders from making your premises their home. There are plenty of mint varieties that work well to repel insects, but peppermint is considered the most potent choice.
Peppermint essential oil is a powerful ant repellent and I have found that ants will not cross a line of peppermint oil wiped on a surface. It also makes your home smell great! To treat a surface with peppermint oil, place a few drops of undiluted peppermint oil on a cotton ball or the corner of a rag.
Mint Attracts Beneficial Insects (& Repels the Bad Ones)
Let your mint go to flower and it will attract bees, beneficial wasps, hoverflies (aphid eaters), and tachinid flies (parasitic on nasty bugs).
Peppermint Oil: This essential oil can be used both as a preventative measure and to drive away any snakes that may have already entered your property. The strong scent of peppermint irritates snakes, causing them to leave the area. Clove Oil: Snakes are sensitive to clove oil, which can be used as a natural repellent.
In short, they hate these natural essences. Peppermint in particular has a strong scent bed bugs can't take. Spraying an ample amount of diluted peppermint around your bedframe or mattress can help keep bed bugs at bay while you're enjoying your well deserved sleep.
Minty fragrances are unpleasant to a mosquito's keen senses. The mere presence of peppermint plants can ward off these pesky flying insects to some degree. You can also turn peppermint into a personal repellent by crushing the leaves and rubbing them on your skin. Mosquitoes won't be able to tolerate your presence!
When it comes to how long the oil will last, generally the cotton balls will need to be replaced 1-2 times per week as the peppermint smell quickly wears off from them. If using the spray method, that will likely need to be completed 1-2 times per week as well, or whenever the smell of the oil wears off.
Place the liquid in a spray bottle and shake it well before spraying in problematic areas. Katarina adds that you should reapply the spray every two weeks to ensure the rodent stays away for good.
Essential oils that may be helpful in repelling rats and mice include peppermint oil, lemon oil, citronella oil, and eucalyptus oil. You can make an essential oil spray by mixing 2 teaspoons of oil with 1 cup of water or rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. Then spray it anywhere you see traces of rodents.
Nope! It will make your home smell good, but it certainly won't get rid of your unwanted lodgers. Peppermint oil is assumed to be a great mouse repellent because, in high concentrations, it can be quite potent and mice have a very sensitive sense of smell.
The biggest issue with using essential oils is they evaporate quickly. They are not as effective as DEET or picaridin. Repellents are meant to block an insect's receptors related to the scent but with essential oils, only a few receptors are blocked. Therefore it is possible it may work on some insects but not all.