My mother tells me to put peppermint oil on everything. Does Peppermint Oil Repel Spiders?
I’m using peppermint oil in a spray bottle to ward of critters from entering my home. Does this mean that spiders will stay away too?
Is this evidence anecdotal or scientific? In this article, we’ll see how and why peppermint oil is used to repel spiders.
Does Peppermint Oil Repel Spiders?
Yes. Spiders hate it. If you’re looking for scientific data, then you may find the answer to be inconclusive. There is no concrete evidence based on long-range studies, but the fact is that peppermint oil has been used in many cultures for centuries to repel insects, rodents and spiders.
This is due to the fumigants, monoterpenoids and the overall pungent aroma coming from the concentrated oil of a plant that spiders and many other pests hate going near.
If you’re looking to repel spiders in a natural way, look no further than several drops of peppermint oil in a spray bottle with 8-16 ounces of water.
Does Peppermint Oil Really Deter Spiders?
Yes. Spiders have always hated the smell of mint. Mint leaves deter pests like spiders and many other insects. Peppermint oil is even stronger in repelling them because of how concentrated it is.
Smell a mint leaf and smell an open bottle of peppermint to tell how much stronger the latter really is. Peppermint is an ancient remedy that works as an insecticide.
Spiders keep away, but it doesn’t kill them, unless you’re trying to drown them in the liquid mixed with water.
Does the Smell of Peppermint Keep Spiders Away?
Mint works as a pest repellent, deterrent and sometimes even a killer. Although spiders are not insects, they are also sensitive when it comes to the strong odor of peppermint.
If there are no insects around due to the strong scent of peppermint, spiders will have a hard time surviving with a lack of food and a foul odor at the same time.
Despite using repellents that are foul for them, we end up with a fresh scent that is marketed and added to countless cleaning and hygiene products.
How Long Does the Scent of Peppermint Oil Last?
The scent of peppermint oil is stronger than a mint plant. It will last about 2 weeks with indoor use. If you have created a spray solution using peppermint oil in water, you can spray this all over the house without being concerned about any toxic effects because there aren’t any.
Keep the peppermint oil drops limited to 15-25 in a 8-16 ounce bottle filled with water. There is no exact amount, but a sharp sting in the throat or eyes can result when peppermint is too strong.
Either way, limit the spraying around the house to once a week or once every 2 weeks to keep bugs, pests and rodents away.
Is Smelling Peppermint Oil Safe?
Yes. The evidence to say so is provided from natural practitioners and anecdotal experiences. There is no hard scientific data and this is why essential oils are in hot water when it comes to the medical community.
Overprescribing their uses for all ailments can be dangerous or ineffective. In the case of repelling insects, spiders and other nuisance pests, peppermint oil is beneficial.
Large doses of peppermint oil is harmful only when ingested. Your skin or eyes may tingle, but you will not be harmed unless you cover yourself in 100% concentrated peppermint oil without any water.
Always follow the directions on the bottle.
Does Peppermint Oil Work to Repel Spiders?
Spiders can be helpful in controlling your insect population, but they can become a nuisance when they lay countless eggs in hidden locations. This nuisance can quickly become an infestation.
Peppermint oil has proven to work to keep them away. It’s an age-old remedy and used as an insect repellent for centuries. Spiders dislike strong smells and peppermint oil is one the strongest in the natural world of herbs and plants.
How Does Peppermint Oil Work To Keep Spiders Away?
One theory suggests that the monoterpenoids in peppermint oil and other essential oils act as fumigants. They play a key role in insecticides as well, but in this case, you have a natural fumigant.
Studies on ants have shown that they stay away from peppermint oil sprayed areas for up to 7 days. This gives enough of an assertion that they would keep plenty of other bugs away too.
Our experience is not scientific, but we have used peppermint oil successfully to repel more than just spiders and we find the smell very welcoming in our homes.
How to Use Peppermint Oil to Repel Spiders
Would you like to create a spray bottle solution to repel spiders with peppermint oil? A little goes a long way, so let’s give it a shot:
- 5-10 drops of peppermint in a 16 ounce spray bottle filled with water is all you need.
- Add a couple drops of dish soap to blend all parts together or else the oil may sink to the bottom.
- Shake well and spray once every 2 weeks in all spider hiding places.
Conclusion
You don’t need to argue with anyone who doesn’t believe that essential oils serve a place in the world of repelling or killing of nuisance pests. They are natural alternatives because they are non-toxic.
Peppermint oil is on of the most common and widely enjoyed aromas out there and we see it, taste it, smell it in limitless products. Spiders can’t stand the smell and keep away.
If you see spider eggs or an infestation, do not expect a spray bottle with water and peppermint oil to save the day.
This is a deterrent and helpful way to keep spiders out of our homes, but if you are dealing with a full blown infestation, it’s time to call a professional who will fumigate the home with harsher chemicals.
Thanks for visiting ThePestManagement.com for the best information to help you to make the pest control process easy, safe & affordable.
