what essential oils do insects hate

Essential oils bugs hate

• Peppermint Peppermint may be a pleasing aroma for most of us, but insects (and Mice for that matter) hate it. ...
• Eucalyptus Eucalyptus is a well-known barrier against creepy crawlies often used in off-the-shelf natural insect repellents and exterminators. ...
• Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia) ...
• Citronella ...
• Cinnamon ...
• Lemongrass ...
• Lemon ...
• Purification ...

Full Answer

What smells do insects hate?

Those most closely associated with repellency are citronella oil, eucalyptus oil, and catnip oil, but others include clove oil, patchouli, peppermint, and geranium.

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 essential oil scent do bugs hate?

Essential oils bugs hate are citronella, Virginian cedarwood, lemongrass, litsea, peppermint, lemon-scented eucalyptus, sweet basil, lavender, clove, and geranium. This isn't an exhaustive list of essential oils, but some of the most popular options used to repel insects.

How long will peppermint oil keep bugs away?

It's not exactly clear why, but bugs — such as mosquitos — find this scent super offensive. 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.

What bugs are repelled by peppermint oil?

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.

Do essential oils attract bugs?

The listed essential oils attract the following insects: Cinnamon Oil – thrips, leafminers, Japanese beetles. Melissa Oil – fungus gnats, thrips, horse flies, deer flies. Lemon Oil – fungus gnats, mealybugs, scale, thrips, Japanese beetles.

Do essential oils repel insects?

Further, citronella, lemon, and eucalyptus oils are common insect repellents and are registered by the EPA and have been approved for topical use in humans. PMD (p-menthane-3,8-diol), proven safe to human health, is the only plant-based repellent advocated by the CDC for public use.

Do bugs hate lemon scent?

The smell of lemon is pleasing for most people, and this citrus fruit has long been used to eliminate unwanted odours in the home, but that's not all it's suitable for. Insects absolutely hate the aroma lemon juice gives off and its astringent properties are harmful to most types of bed bugs.

What essential oils attract bugs?

The listed essential oils attract the following insects: Cinnamon Oil – thrips, leafminers, Japanese beetles. Melissa Oil – fungus gnats, thrips, horse flies, deer flies. Lemon Oil – fungus gnats, mealybugs, scale, thrips, Japanese beetles.

How do you use peppermint oil to keep bugs away?

Directions. Combine water and peppermint oil in a spray bottle. Shake bottle before use and spray the solution around entry spots such as windowsills and door frames, or places where insects may hide. The strong odor acts as a repellent.

How do you use peppermint oil for bugs?

On cotton balls – the key here is to use enough of the oil to repel. The stronger the smell the better. Apply at least 5 drops of peppermint oil to each cotton ball and place in various locations around the house. This will repel insects and rodents.

Does peppermint oil attract animals?

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.)

Can insect repellent be used in spring?

Insect bites can put a damper on even the most beautiful spring and summer night. Unfortunately, so can the intense aroma and harmful effects of insect repellents. Thankfully, there are essential oils that repel insects, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors.

Is lemon a natural insect repellent?

Surprisingly, of all the essential oils that repel insects, lemon is by far one of the best-known natural insecticides and repellents. A 2012 study found that it offers an effective and natural alternative to conventional chemical insect control.

Is mint oil good for bugs?

This minty-fresh oil is used as a natural insecticide against many types of bugs. Studies have found methanol-based oils to be effective insecticides. A 2011 study also found it to be an especially effective larvicide and mosquito repellent.

Is eucalyptus oil good for sandflies?

You get a lot of bang for your buck when using eucalyptus oil as an insecticide. Surprisingly, it’s been found effective on a wide variety of insects, most notably its effect on sandflies.

Does basil oil repel mosquitoes?

This zesty oil is great for controlling mosquito and dust mites. In fact, several studies have found that basil effectively repels mosquitoes and even exhibits mosquito larvicidal activity. Therefore, this makes basil oil an especially good option for those living near swamps, ponds and other areas with a high mosquito population.

Does tea tree oil help with mosquito bites?

Consequently, tea tree oil is also an effective remedy for soothing the itch and discomfort of mosquito bites.

What essential oils repel mosquitoes?

CITRONELLA – Citronella is one of the best known essential oils for being able to repel mosquitoes.   According to the National Pesticide Information Center, citronella works so well because it masks the scents that are attractive to bugs, namely carbon dioxide and lactic acid.

What essential oil is good for ants?

SPEARMINT– Like peppermint, spearmint essential oil is also good for keeping away ants, boxelder bugs, flies, gnats, head lice, mosquitoes, moths, and spiders.   But although those two essential oils are similar, spearmint’s lower concentrations of menthol, make it a safer and more suitable oil to use around young children.

How to make a bug repellent bracelet?

Make a DIY Bug-Repelling bracelet: Simply braid cotton fabric or leather and wrap around your wrist.   Put a few drops of spearmint, citronella, lemongrass, or lavender essential oils on the bracelet to help keep mosquitoes, flies, and other bugs at bay.

How to make bug spray for kids?

Use lemon eucalyptus to make an effective natural bug spray– in a spray bottle mix 2 ounces witch hazel and 2 ounces distilled water with 40-50 drops essential oil (or 20-25 drops for kids 3-9). Oils and water don’t mix, so be sure to shake the bug spray before you use it.   Avoid spraying on face.   For young kids under 2, spray onto their clothes (and not on their skin).   Apply as often as you need it.   Get 10+ recipes to customize your bug spray with essential oils and full instructions here

What to use to keep bugs away from patio?

Use citronella to make “Bug Away” floating candles– they’re super easy to make, really cute, and they keep mosquitoes, flies, and other pests away from your patio for hours.   Get the recipe and instructions here

How to keep bugs out of pantry?

keep pantry bugs away— Wipe down shelves with a mix of white vinegar and a few drops of essential oil. Citronella, eucalyptus, melaleuca (tea tree) and peppermint all work great!

What is tea tree oil?

TEA TREE– Tea tree essential oil is extracted from the stems and leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tree native to Australia. Tea tree essential oil (aka melaleuca) is well known for its antifungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties that make it great for natural DIYs like this mold & mildew cleaner, powerful homemade shower cleaner, laundry detergent, trash can deodorizer, natural deodorant that actually works, immune support foot rub, andessential oil healing salve.   But in addition to all these great uses for tea tree, it’s also a good natural insect repellent and insecticide.   Tea tree is also great at keeping bed bugs and head lice away.

What essential oils repel insects?

Additional essential oils that can be used for your repelling insects recipes: basil, clove bud, geranium, ylang ylang, palmarosa, thyme.

What oils are used to make mosquito repellent?

Ticks : lavender, lemongrass, eucalyptus, rosemary, sage, thyme, and others. Note: Ylang Ylang and palmarosa are two oils sometimes used to create natural bug sprays. Plus ylang ylang has been used as a mosquito repellent successfully in some studies.

How to keep bugs out of pantry?

Keep the bugs out of the pantry – Mix a few drops of either citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint or tea tree with vinegar and wipe your pantry shelves down . Bed bugs – Check out our blog article on Pesky Bed Bugs for different ways to use essential oils for these not so welcome creatures.

How to make a spray with essential oils?

witch hazel or vodka. Fill the spray bottle halfway with about 2 ounces of distilled water, 1 ounce of witch hazel or vodka. At this point you will add your essential oils. Finally fill the bottle just shy of the top with distilled water, this will allow you to be able to shake the mixture before each use.

What are the side effects of essential oils?

Side effects may include skin irritation, neurotoxicity, kidney and liver damage, birth defects, and more. Alternatively, essential oils that repel insects are also effective, as well as safe.*.

Does lemongrass repel mosquitoes?

In one study, lemongrass essential oil had high mortality rates against the three species of mosquitoes for up to 24 hours after application.*. Be sure to label your essential oils that repel insects spray creations to ensure you are using the most effective spray for the insects you created it for and for the proper age group.

What essential oils are good for bugs?

Here are 13 essential oils that can help keep the bugs at bay so you can enjoy your time in the great outdoors. Essential oils distilled from members of the Lamiaceae (mint family that includes most culinary herbs), Poaceae (aromatic grasses), and Pinaceae (pine and cedar family) are commonly used as insect repellents throughout the globe ...

How to make bug repellent with essential oil?

Simply mix 8–10 drops of the essential oil of geranium with a tablespoon of carrier oil and apply it to exposed areas of the skin, avoiding the eyes, mouth, and nose. Try a small test section first, to make sure you will not develop any skin irritation before applying to larger areas.

What is lemongrass oil used for?

Lemongrass oil is known for its citrusy scent and has been used for stomach issues, rheumatoid arthritis, and many other conditions due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects (source). Applied topically, a 1% dilution in a spray and 15% in a cream was comparable to that of a commercial mosquito repellent (source).

How long does clove oil repel mosquitoes?

In a study looking at the length of action of these essential oils, they were found to repel mosquitoes for up to two and a half hours, depending on the combination and concentration used (source).

What essential oils repel mosquitoes?

Many commercial repellents contain a number of plant essential oils either for fragrance or as repellents, including peppermint, lemongrass, geraniol, pine oil, pennyroyal, cedar oil, thyme oil, and patchouli. The most effective of these include thyme and clove oils, alone or in combinations of clove and thyme or clove and geranium. In a study looking at the length of action of these essential oils, they were found to repel mosquitoes for up to two and a half hours, depending on the combination and concentration used (source).

How long does kaffir lime oil work on mosquitoes?

And kaffir lime oil by itself worked for up to three hours.

What is the best herb to kill mosquitoes?

The herb we refer to as catnip, Nepeta cataria, comes from a common plant that frequently grows as a weed in many parts of the United States. One study found that catnip essential oil kept mosquitoes away as well as or better than DEET.

What essential oils repel flies?

Essential oils that repel flies. Eucalyptus, peppermint and lemongrass are supposedly best for flies. Add one, or all to a diffuser and keep it where the flies are. We actually run lemongrass and rosemary in our kitchen when flies are around and it appears to work.

What is the best oil for mosquitoes?

Peppermint. Peppermint may be a pleasing aroma for most of us, but insects (and Mice for that matter) hate it. It has been researched as a repellent to mosquitoes with promising results. Peppermint oil contains Linalool, which is also a proven insect repellent. Use for: Mosquitoes, spiders, ants, aphids, cockroaches.

What is the best insect repellent for creepy crawlies?

Eucalyptus is a well-known barrier against creepy crawlies often used in off-the-shelf natural insect repellents and exterminators. Like peppermint, it has some researched backing and contains Limonene and Eucalyptol, both proven insect repellents.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of essential oils?

The disadvantages? Look, like most things that essential oils are supposedly good for, their abilities when it comes to all things insects are still in their infancy research wise. And like many other uses, essential oil substitutes can take longer to work and often need to be applied more often due their volatility – simply meaning that they do not hang around in the air as long as commercial pesticides do . But, like other uses, there does seem to be at least some evidence, albeit circumstantial, that their repellent properties may just work.

How to keep spiders out of my life?

Luckily I can use peppermint to keep those little critters out of my life. Mix 10 drops of peppermint, 1 cup of vinegar into a spray bottle and top up with water. Spray in all areas where spiders like to hide. Alternatively just add 10 or so drops to a cotton ball and jam into those little spidey hidey holes. This mixture is also listed as being effective with aphids and also with mice.

What is the best essential oil to spray on plants?

Cinnamon. Cinnamon essential oil contains cinnamaldehyde which has positive results in initial studies as a good repellent and antifeedant (means insects won’t eat whatever this stuff is on). This is apparently a good one to spray directly onto plants. Use for: Ants, aphids.

Does lemongrass repel insects?

So the story goes, and I cannot find any scientific proof of this, but insects allegedly HATE the smell of lemongrass making it a good natural repellent. It does however contain citronellal and limonene so I guess there must be some truth to it all.

What is the best oil for ants?

Peppermint Essential Oil. Peppermint is great for many many insects! It is especially awesome for ants! Drip a couple of drops on an ant hill and watch the ants pack up and leave town! Spray it on your garden to keep caterpillars, wasps, beetles and more away as well! Continue Reading.

What is the best essential oil for garden?

Lavender Essential Oil. Lavender is the all purpose oil that is not only great for you, but great for the garden as well! Keep away black and white flies, moths, and more with this wonderfully fragrant oil! Continue Reading. Photo Credit: shop.healingblendsforlife.com.

How many rose petals make 1 drop of essential oil?

For example, it takes approximately 40 rose petals to make 1 drop of rose essential oil! Now that is concentrated, is it not?!

Does cedarwood repel bugs?

Cedarwood has long been known for it's ability to repel bugs.

Can you keep pests away from your garden?

You can keep the pests away while keeping your garden safe and healthy!

Is it hard to grow a garden without bugs?

Growing a garden is hard enough without insects interfering! After lots of hard work and spending all of your time watering your garden, weeding it, and watching it grow, there is nothing worse than coming out one morning to find that bugs have destroyed your plants!

Do pine beetles like rosemary?

Honeslty most bugs hate rosemary. Pine beetles definitely can't stand it along with certain flies.

What is the last scent you can use to get rid of mosquitoes?

Rosemary is the last scent we recommend you use to get rid of those darn mosquitoes!

What is the strongest mosquito repellent?

Catnip is one of the strongest forms of repellent against mosquitoes! Get some catnip leaves and crush them into small pieces. Once these release a natural oil, you can take that oil and rub it on various rags or similar fabrics. Catnips has been shown to be almost as effective as DEET.

What is the best way to repel mosquitoes?

You can repel mosquitoes by using scents they hate, like lavender, peppermint oil, geranium oil, cinnamon bark oil, lemon eucalyptus oil, citronella oil, catnip, rosemary, and pine oil.

How long does Coleman insect repellent last?

Upon searching the EPA database for registered mosquito repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus, you’ll find Coleman Botanicals Insect Repellent, which claims to repel mosquitoes as a DEET alternative for up to 6 hours. While not an endorsement from the EPA, it is a registered product.

Why do you use citronella candles?

Why should you use them? Well simply, citronella affects the scent glands of mosquiotes.

Why do mosquitoes buzz around my porch lights?

Mosquitoes are attracted to lights , therefore explaining why you often find them buzzing around your porch or deck lights.

Can peppermint plants be crushed?

Peppermint plants most likely won’t work for this one, but if you do want to go that route, make sure that you crush up the peppermint plants at peak times when you want to repel mosquitoes.