Spiders can hide in the most unusual places, making them difficult to get rid of. A popular myth is that peppermint oil can kill and repel spiders and other insects, but how much truth is there to it?
Does peppermint oil repel spiders? You’ve come to the right place to find out.
This piece will enlighten you on whether or not peppermint oil is effective in getting rid of spiders, and the risks associated with using it and we’ll even throw in a list of natural spider repellents for you to try out!
Does Peppermint Oil Work?
Although most of them are harmless, spiders can be a nuisance in the home. Many people are afraid of these creatures and some can even be toxic.
If you’re the type of person who squeals when they see spiders, you might want to try mint oil to get rid of them.
Peppermint oil is considered a natural insecticide. Spiders seem to hate them, although they are not insects. There isn’t much scientific research to show that peppermint oil repels or kills spiders.
Most commercial pest control companies dispute claims that essential oils act as natural insecticides. Still, there’s plenty of evidence that peppermint oil kills arachnids.
It’s not clear why spiders stay away from peppermint oil and other essential oils. One theory is that they don’t like strong smells.
Because spiders use their legs to smell and taste, they may avoid crawling on scented oils. Another theory has to do with chemicals found in essential oils.
Almost all essential oils contain them to some extent. According to a study, these chemicals– monoterpenoids, are fumigants.
This can influence its insecticidal properties. Another study found that peppermint oil repelled ants for up to seven days after application.
The research concluded that essential oils are viable alternatives to traditional chemical repellents as they can repel ants and other household invaders such as spiders.
But Why Do Spiders Dislike Peppermint So Much?
True arachnids have scents that they perceive through special organs on their legs. There’s no specific study to explain why peppermint repels spiders while another oil doesn’t, but it’s believed that the strong menthol smell is too intense for a spider.
Even in the wild, insects use this scent to defend themselves against spider attacks. The stick bug, for example, releases a milky substance with a strong minty odour to defend itself against spiders.
You can also make your peppermint oil repellent. To make a repellent spray, add three to four drops of peppermint oil to a spray bottle and spritz it around your home.
Be careful not to spray the solution onto fabric or wood as it can leave oil stains.
Another way to fill the rooms with this aroma?
Put a few drops of peppermint oil in a diffuser or vaporizer. Alternatively, try placing peppermint tea bags or cotton balls that have been dipped in the oil in different rooms of your home.
Plant mint outside near doors to prevent spiders from entering your home.
How To Use Peppermint Oil To Repel Spiders
Rather than having to catch the spiders in your home and send them outside, it might be more useful to know how to prevent them from entering in the first place. There is scientific evidence that peppermint oil is pretty effective in repelling spiders.
All it takes is adding several drops into a spray bottle, fill with water, and spray away. What you need for this method is a spray bottle, clean water, and naturally processed peppermint oil.
You should fill the spray bottle with water, add a few drops of peppermint oil, shake well and spray on the affected areas, However, be very careful when adding peppermint oil because if you overdo it, it can be harmful to spiders and other insects.
Mix the two-part solution by adding 20 drops of peppermint oil to a spray bottle of water. If you want to get rid of them without killing them, just add 6-7 drops.
Spray the solution throughout the house, especially in the corners of the rooms. Repeat this once a week. If spiders still appear, spray every few days.
Vacuum and dust your home to get rid of existing cobwebs. Keep the windows open to let in fresh air while you spray.
This spider-repellent spray is great because it doesn’t harm the bugs, it just keeps them from getting in. If you’re determined to keep spiders away, you can also add mint plants to the outside of your home.
Is Peppermint Oil Safe to Use Around Kids and Pets?
Peppermint is generally considered safe for humans when used properly, which is why it’s widely used in beverages, massage oils, toothpaste, and mouthwashes.
But if you have young children or live with people who suffer from asthma or other breathing problems, the spray, diffuser, and vaporizer methods are not suitable.
When it comes to pets, generally avoid using peppermint oil as it is toxic to dogs, cats, and birds. Pets can accidentally swallow plant leaves and tea bags left in their wat
Also, if they slide or roll over a treated area and irritate their skin. Even inhaling the smell of peppermint can trigger illnesses like aspiration pneumonia in pets.
Risks And Warnings
Peppermint oil is regarded as safe when used in small amounts. However, it contains menthol which may cause skin irritation.
Again, inhaling large doses of peppermint oil can cause dizziness, confusion, muscle weakness, diplopia and nausea. The risk of side effects is increased if you spray large amounts of undiluted peppermint oil in an enclosed area.
Always dilute peppermint oil and use caution when spraying around your home.
You must avoid spraying the whole house at once.
Spray small areas at a time and keep windows open for fresh air. Misting small quantities of peppermint oil around your home causes fewer side effects.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), mint is toxic to dogs and cats. They don’t even have to eat it to get sick.
Even inhaling peppermint can cause severe symptoms. If you have dogs or cats, avoid using peppermint oil in your home unless it is in an area your pets cannot reach.
Before using peppermint oil,
1. Educate yourself on the brand of peppermint oil you are using. Only choose a product that is labelled as naturally processed.
2. Test small areas first, as strong peppermint oil can stain floors, wooden furniture, or upholstery.
3. Too much peppermint oil spray can be toxic to children, pets, and adults.
4. You may want to wear a pair of gloves as touching raw peppermint oil can burn or irritate your skin.
5. If you experience heartburn, headache, or dizziness after spraying peppermint oil, see a doctor.
Other Natural Spider Repellents
For thousands of years, essential oils have been prized for their fragrant aromas, healing properties, and promoting the overall well-being of the body, mind, and spirit. But not everything is wellness days and first aid.
Now, these highly concentrated vegetable oil solutions can also help with household problems like pest control.
- Lemon oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Lavender oil
- Tea tree oil
- Citronella oil
Spreading cedar mulch around your home can help deter spiders and other insects from entering. A small cedar bag in your closet and drawers can also deter them.
Place them around baseboards and other places where you’ve seen spiders. You can also keep spiders away by practising basic hygiene.
Clean Every Corner
Cobwebs are usually built in places that are not visited often such as corners and behind shelves. Repeatedly cleaning and decluttering will discourage spiders from building webs there.
Seal any cracks and crevices with caulking to block spiders from making their home inside your house.
Hide Chestnuts
Chestnuts naturally have a scent that keeps spiders at bay. Place chestnuts around your house where spiders can sneak in.
Basements, attics, windowsills, and door frames are vital locations. The best thing about using chestnuts is that they don’t leave any residue behind when scattered around the house.
Remove Food Sources
Spiders can’t live in a place without an adequate food source, so keeping other household pest problems under control will also control spiders.
The kitchen is usually where pests and food find each other. Wash fruits and veggies every time you bring them into your home to avoid attracting other pests.
Spiders sometimes hide in the leaves and packaging. Wash trash bins, stove tops, and garbage disposals and sweep under tables and anywhere that food crumbs might hide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Smell Do Spiders Hate?
Apart from peppermint and other similar essential oils, spiders also hate the smell of citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges.
Do Dryer Sheets Repel Spiders?
There is no scientific evidence to affirm these claims.
What Color Light Keeps Spiders Away?
Spiders dislike the colour light blue.
Is Vicks VapoRub An Insect Repellent?
Yes. It has a peppermint scent that repels them.
Conclusion
The majority of spiders are harmless to humans and so you’ll have nothing to worry about. It can even be helpful to have spiders around, as they feed on fleas, crickets, and other small insects that invade your home.
Most people choose not to have them around and use many methods to get rid of them. Does peppermint oil repel spiders?
Spiders seem to hate the scent of peppermint for some reason, so you can use it to ward them off. Hopefully, this was helpful so we would like to hear from you.
