Are you looking to keep pests at bay without using harsh chemicals? Learn how to deter pests using essential oils and say goodbye to unwanted guests for good.
Plus, you will find out how to ensure these pests do not return to your home or garden. Watch below and get started on creating a pest-free home today!
Table of Contents
What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are volatile, liquid aromatic compounds extracted from plants through the process of distillation.
The oil is concentrated within the plant’s leaves, flowers, bark, or roots and is typically used in aromatherapy or as a natural fragrance.
They contain the plant’s natural compounds, which can serve various purposes. In pest control, essential oils can repel or kill insects and other pests.
We have numerous oils for pest control, including citronella, lemongrass, peppermint, and eucalyptus oil. Each oil has its own unique scent and properties that make it effective against certain pests.
This natural pest control method is safe for humans and pets and is effective against numerous critters, including ants, cockroaches, fleas, and mosquitoes.
Essential oils are your best bet if you want to keep your home pest-free this summer!
What are the Ways to Use Essential Oils for Pest Control?
1. Eucalyptus oil
If you’re looking for a natural way to deter pests, try using eucalyptus oil. This essential oil is derived from the eucalyptus tree and has a variety of uses.
Eucalyptus oil can repel ants, cockroaches, flies, mosquitoes, and other insects. In addition, it’s effective against mice and rats. To use eucalyptus oil – mix one teaspoon of oil with 1 cup of water.
Spray the mixture around the perimeter of your home or in areas where pests are known to congregate. You can add a few drops to a cotton ball or piece of cloth and place it in an area where pests are common.
Add a few drops to your vacuum cleaner bag to help eliminate pests in your home.
2. Citronella oil
Citronella oil is best known for keeping mosquitoes at bay, but this natural essential oil can also deter other pests, like ants, flies, and fleas. It is an effective way to keep pests out of your home.
There are a few ways to use it, but the most effective is to put it in a diffuser. Also, you can apply it directly to your skin but do a patch test first. Keep in mind that citronella oil is unsuitable around children or pets.
If you have sensitivities to smells, you may want to avoid using this essential oil. To use citronella oil – add a few drops to a diffuser or spray bottle filled with water.
You can also add citronella oil to lotions, soaps, and candles.
3. Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil may be the answer if you are looking for a natural way to repel pests.
This essential oil is derived from the peppermint plant and has a wide range of uses, including as a pest deterrent.
It has a strong, minty scent disliked by many pests, including mice, rats, ants, cockroaches, and other tiny pests.
Apply the oil to areas where pests are known to frequent, and the strong scent of peppermint will help keep them away.
You can also add a few drops to a cotton ball or piece of cloth and place it in an area where pests are a problem. Add a few drops to your vacuum cleaner bag to help keep your home free of pests.
4. Rosemary oil
Rosemary oil is a versatile essential oil that can repel various pests. It can help keep your home free of critters when used correctly. It is an evergreen herb with a pungent, slightly minty aroma, keeping pests at bay.
There are a few ways to use rosemary. One way is to create a rosemary oil spray.
To do this, add 20-30 drops of rosemary oil to 2 cups of water in a spray bottle and shake well. You can then use this spray on your plants or in your home to deter pests.
You can also add rosemary essential oil to a diffuser to help keep pests out of your home. Another way to use rosemary is by making a sachet or bundle of fresh rosemary sprigs tied together with string.
Place the sprigs in cupboards, drawers, or anywhere else to deter pests. The scent of the rosemary will help keep pests away. Lastly, you can add dried rosemary leaves to potting soil when planting.
The leaves will help keep pests away from the plants as they grow.
5. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, is an essential oil with a fresh camphoraceous odor and a color that ranges from pale yellow to nearly colorless and clear.
Manufacturers produce it by steam distillation of the leaves of the tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, which is native to Australia. Tea tree oil has been used as a traditional medicine by Aboriginal people for centuries.
The leaves were a remedy for cuts, burns, and other skin ailments.
Tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties that can deter pests such as ants, cockroaches, flies, mosquitoes, and silverfish. It has natural insecticidal properties, killing a variety of common household pests.
To use tea tree oil – add a few drops to a cotton ball or cloth and place it where you see the pests.
You can also mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle and spritz around areas where they are known to congregate.
6. Lemongrass oil
Lemongrass oil is an effective way to keep pests at bay. This essential oil is derived from the lemongrass plant. It has a strong, citrusy smell that can repel ants, cockroaches, mosquitoes, and other insects.
Lemongrass oil is also effective against mice and rats. You can use lemongrass oil in various ways. Add a few drops to your diffuser. The strong smell of lemongrass oil will help to keep pests away.
You can also mix the oil with water in a spray bottle. Spritz around areas where you’ve seen pests or where they are likely to enter your home.
7. Spearmint oil
Spearmint oil is a great way to deter pests. An excellent way to use this method is to mix a few drops of spearmint oil with water in a spray bottle and spritz it around your home, garden, or wherever you see fit.
The strong scent of spearmint will help keep pests away. If you’re dealing with a specific pest problem, you can add a few drops of spearmint oil to cotton balls and place them in areas where pests are commonly found, such as cracks and crevices.
Check the cotton balls regularly and replace them as needed. You can also add a few drops to your vacuum cleaner bag to help keep your home pest-free.
If you have pets, keep the cotton balls out of reach, as spearmint oil can be toxic to animals if ingested. Spearmint oil is an efficient, natural way to repel pests.
So if you’re looking for an alternative to harsh chemicals, give it a try!
8. Lavender oil
Lavender oil is one of the most popular essential oils for pest control. It’s effective against various insects, including flies, mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and moths.
It is also effective against other pests, such as mites, mice, and rats. Lavender oil is also safe to use around children and pets. To use lavender oil for pest control – add a few drops to a spray bottle filled with water.
Shake well and spray around doorways, windows, and other areas where pests are likely to enter your home.
You can also add a few drops of lavender oil to cotton balls and place them in drawers or closets to keep moths away from your clothes.
Conclusion
Using essential oils to deter pests is a robust, natural way to keep your home and garden free of unwanted critters. Essential oils are also safe to use around children and pets.
However, follow the instructions on the label. With a little trial and error, you can find the perfect combination of oils to keep your home pest-free.
