How to Use Peppermint Oil for Pest Control
Peppermint has a strong smell, which is irritating to many pests. This plant’s oil can be used in the home to dissuade insects and pests. Most men and women love the scent, and they not only used peppermint oil to keep pests outside their homes, but they have also once exterminated infestations for health.
In households with children and pets, Peppermint oil can be safely used. It’s not that much hard to find it in supermarkets. Peppermint oil provides a great alternative to harmful chemicals and plastics pest management solutions.
Let’s take a look at a number of issues related to the main solutions of pest control and why peppermint oil is the new natural solution to repelling the staggering crawlies.
Problems with the main pest control methods
Due to their effectiveness in rapidly destroying pests, chemical pest control solutions have proliferated over the years. But in the following ways these compounds are extremely harmful to humans and other animals:
Oral entry: this can occur through drops of chemicals in the food that we eat and the liquids we drink. It also occurs when our hands are close to or in our mouth while our hands are exposed to chemical substances.
Respiratory inlet: Due to breathable aerosols, vapors, or dust.
Skin entry: Skin and eyes easily absorb the spray that falls on the body.
These are the main factors that we must consider for moving from main pest control methods to peppermint oil.
How to use peppermint oil in natural pest control
- A spray bottle with warm water will be important. Drop the water line to the bottom at a maximum of 2 inches. Pour one tablespoon of peppermint oil. Peppermint oil is soluble in hot water, so stall the nozzle and vigorously shake it. This will ensure the oil is spread well.
- Find places where pests used to come inside the building. In those places, spray the mixture of peppermint oil and water until saturated.
- Leave the building. Spray the outside visible portion of the basement and into the cracks. To protect bushes and flowers, cover it with a light mist.
- In spring and summer, follow these steps to repel pests every month. Repeat these steps after rain, since peppermint oil is not waterproof. Those who are in warmer climates need to reapply every year.
- Soak the balls of cotton in peppermint oil. Put ten cotton balls in a small bowl to fill several holes, and then pour the oil. Let them settle down until all of the oil is absorbed. When dry spots are in, add more oil.
- Note any tiny holes and cracks where vermin can enter. In those tiny holes, place oil-moistened cotton balls. Verify that the gaps and cracks are filled entirely.
- To keep pests at bay, put the remaining cotton balls at the base of indoor and outdoor trash cans.
- The cotton balls must be tested once a month. If the accessible cotton is completely dry, add more oil using a dropper—no need to replace the cotton ball unless the originals shrink or deteriorate.
Tips To Use Peppermint Oil Wisely
Buy the good stuff
Make sure to use 100% pure peppermint oil or a specially formulated pest repelling drug. In nearby health food stores also you can buy peppermint oil. The Pest Advice suggests us to buy Peppermint oil from vendors who are authorized by the government.
Wet the cotton balls once a month
After a period of time, the scent will fade and stop working. To maximize its effectiveness, be sure to keep the peppermint oil refreshing process.
Make sure enough peppermint oil is used
The flavor must be strong enough to have a deterrent effect. In this situation, the more quantity is better. Personally, I use a cotton ball with at least five drops of peppermint oil.
Knowing your limits
Peppermint oil can be a strong dissuasive to mice, but it’s not an effective way to get rid of mice that already live in your house. If the scent is strong enough, that will dissuade them from building a new home in the place where the cotton balls are being stored.
Where to buy peppermint oil?
As I told earlier, you may purchase peppermint oil from the local grocery store or from a health food store. Additionally, it will be sent to you by several online stores. The bottom line is to ensure you’re buying 100% pure peppermint oil. Don’t buy a mixture unless it is created specifically to use as a mouse repellent.