Peppermint Oil for Bugs: A Safe and Natural Way to Keep Insects Out

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Before you reach for the chemical-laden insect repellents, there’s a simple, natural bug repellent that may already be in your cabinet: peppermint oil.

Insects can’t stand the sharp, minty scent, which hampers their ability to move and locate food. Even in nature, some insects, like the stick bug, excrete a milky substance that fills the air with the scent of peppermint to fight off predators.

In this guide, you’ll learn how peppermint oil for bugs works, which pests it helps repel and how to apply it safely around your home for effective, chemical-free pest control.

How Does Peppermint Oil Repel Bugs?

Peppermint oil for bugs works as a natural repellent thanks to its strong scent, which is rich in menthol and other compounds that overwhelm an insect’s sense of smell. Bugs depend heavily on scent to find food, locate potential predators and communicate with one another. When peppermint oil is brought into their environment, the crispy, minty aroma throws them off and forces them to move away.

A study published in Industrial Crops and Products also found peppermint oil to be a promising repellent against the pea aphid, which is an agricultural pest. Researchers stated its high levels of menthol and menthone were essentially responsible for its effectiveness.

So, the refreshing minty smell creates a confusing environment for bugs, making peppermint oil a practical and eco-friendly insect repellent to use around the house.

Step-By-Step Guide to Using Peppermint Oil for Pests

To get started, pick up some peppermint oil for pests at your local health or grocery store. Look for 100-percent pure peppermint oil with no additives.

Use cotton balls for spot treatment

Next, try putting a little peppermint oil on a cotton ball and place the ball in an area where you often see insects, such as on a windowsill or near a door. The scent should deter insects in the area.

This simple DIY pest control technique works well for mild infestations and can be refreshed weekly.

Make a spray

Try mixing a few drops of peppermint oil with hot water 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, blinds and hard-to-reach areas of the home where insects are often present. Always test in a small area first to make sure the oil doesn’t damage the items you want to spray.

You can also apply the mixture to your skin if you’re planning to be outside, but be sure to test it first since some people with sensitive skin may find the oil irritating. Store the diffuser in your refrigerator to make the scent last longer.

Safety Tips When Using Peppermint Oil Around the Home

Peppermint oil is a natural way to repel bugs and pests, but it’s still important to use it with care—especially around children and pets. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), peppermint oil can cause skin irritation or rashes in some cases. It should never be applied directly to a child’s face, as inhaling menthol can have serious respiratory side effects.

If you have pets at home, be aware that some essential oils can pose health risks to animals. Certain oils—including peppermint oil— can cause sensitivity in cats and dogs. So, it is important to know more about pet-safe essential oils..

FAQ

How often should I apply peppermint oil for pest control?

The severity of infestation and where you are applying the peppermint oil play key roles in how often you should reapply it. For smaller issues, a weekly application is usually enough to keep the scent strong and bugs at bay.

However, if you are still seeing bugs and pests after regular use, try applying it more frequently until you see desired results.

Keep an eye out for where pests tend to show up and focus your efforts there. To keep bugs away, it’s important to maintain a strong peppermint scent—consistency is what makes eco-friendly insect repellents like peppermint oil work.

Is peppermint oil safe for pets and children?

Peppermint oil may be natural but you need to be careful using it around your pets or children. Pets—especially cats and dogs—can be sensitive to peppermint oil, so it is best to check with your vet before using it. When it comes to children, never apply peppermint oil to their faces. Inhaling the menthol can cause serious side effects for infants and young children.

What insects does peppermint oil repel most effectively?

If you have spiders, ants, mosquitoes and other bugs around your home, try using peppermint oil. The scent may also help keep mice away. As per Orkin, peppermint oil for bugs may also help ward off aphids, beetles, fleas, caterpillars, flies, moths and lice.

Sources:

• Industrial Crops and Products, ScienceDirect: “Bioactivity and chemical composition of forty plant essential oils against the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum revealed peppermint oil as a promising biorepellent”
• Orkin: “Does Peppermint Oil Repel Mice and Other Pests?”
• NCCIH: “Peppermint Oil”