The issue with essential oils — and natural bug repellent for the home and body — is that they lack
EPA oversight. This means that product manufacturers can make any type of claim, including an inaccurate list of ingredients and what results you can expect to see after using their products. Although there are essential oils that can repel bugs, the exact results vary from one person to the next.
Essential oils are basically liquified plant extracts. You can always grow certain plants in your yard, lessening the number of pests in and around your home.
But if you live in an area prone to ticks and mosquitoes, you’re leaving yourself, your family, and your pets open to Lyme Disease and other harmful viruses. You should enlist the help of a
professional pest removal company to control the number of unwanted bugs in your yard.
What Plants Repel Insects?
Should you choose to grow certain plants outdoors (instead of relying solely on essential oils), you may see a reduction in pests. If nothing else, you’ll have fragrant plants that can add pops of color to your outdoor space.
Here are some plants you may want to invest in:
- Basil: May repel the flea beetle and mosquitoes
- Lavender: May repel mosquitoes and flies
- Lemongrass: May repel mosquitoes and is what’s used to make citronella oil
- Lemon Thyme: May repel mosquitoes
- Mint: May repel mosquitoes
- Rosemary: May repel mosquitoes
- Catnip: May repel flies, deer ticks, mosquitoes, and cockroaches
- Alliums: May work as a bug repellent and deter aphids
- Chrysanthemums: May repel ants, cockroaches, deer ticks, Japanese beetles, fleas, lice, spider mites, bed bugs, root-knot nematodes, and harlequin bugs
- Nasturtiums: May repel aphids, whiteflies, squash bugs, different beetles, and cabbage loopers
- Floss Flowers: May work as an all-natural bug repellent for mosquitoes
- Pitcher Plants: May catch insects but don’t commonly repel them
What Essential Oils Can You Use?
Although the results aren’t guaranteed, if you choose to try essential oils, some may work better than others. Essential oils can be fatal if ingested, so always keep them out of the reach of children and pets and contact poison control immediately if ingested.
They are toxic to infants and children, so do not use them, even if a product is advertised as kid-safe. Even a small amount is dangerous to children due to their delicate systems and small physical stature.
Although pest control services are the best way to remove harmful pests from your home and yard, here are some common essential oils you can try:
Lemongrass Essential Oil
This contains natural Citronella oil and has a strong lemon scent that can repel mosquitoes. You can mix it with water for a spray.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Bugs tend to hate the smell of peppermint oil. As with any essential oil, you want to mix it with water before spraying it around your house. You’ll find this essential oil is best for warding off stink bugs, ants, gnats, fleas, moths, wasps, flies, spiders,
bed bugs, and cockroaches.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is a common essential oil that can help repel deer ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, spiders, ants, and more. Mix it with water before use.
Cedarwood Essential Oils
If you’re looking to dry out bugs, you can try cedarwood essential oils. As with any essential oil/natural bug repellent, always dilute it with water before using it.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
This is said to help repel deer ticks, bed bugs, spiders, ants, and bees. Dilute it in water before use.
Is Essential Oil a Bug Repellent?
It depends. Although essential oils may deter insects, if you’re in an area prone to transmissible viruses, you should look for professional pest removal services. Although many “green” companies advertise essential oils as effective against pest control, these products aren’t always approved by the EPA for use on humans.
Only certain essential oils have been approved for humans to use topically. These essential oils include lemon, citronella, and eucalyptus oils. They can repel insects and have been registered by the EPA.
The most important thing this season is keeping your family safe from insect-borne illnesses. Serene Property Services can help.
We have the knowledge and expertise to treat your home and yard for any type of inset, so you can enjoy your outdoor space with peace of mind. If you’re in Sussex County, NJ, or Warwick, NY, give us a
call to schedule an estimate.
