Peppermint oil, while unusually fragrant to humans, acts as a repellent for insects, especially mosquitoes and fleas. You can apply touches of concentrated peppermint oil to focal points on your skin or clothing, or use the diluted formula to spray over larger areas. The following are more effective ways you can use peppermint oil as an insect repellent.
Peppermint is considered one of the five best essential oils for repelling common insects, and the other four are lemongrass, eucalyptus, tea tree oil, and lavender oil.
These oils are said to be the best essentials for repelling those pests, as well as the creatures that are most effective at fighting.
The clean minty scent of peppermint is much better than the chemical smell, and it also serves as a natural insecticide that kills and repels mosquitoes, ants, fleas, beetles, spiders, flies, and even mice.
A study published in the Malaria Journal showed why it is so effective: Researchers found that peppermint offered a repellent action when applied to exposed body parts.
It also showed significant mosquito and larvicidal repellent action, with mosquito larvae sacrificed 24 hours after exposure to a solution of peppermint oil and water.
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How to use peppermint oil as an insect repellent
While the smell is pleasant and refreshing, many insects and mice find it offensive. Simply apply some peppermint oil to cotton balls or cotton pads, and place them strategically around your home, especially where you can find these creatures or places where they may be hiding, such as the back of cabinets and under cabinets. handwash.
Another option is to make a peppermint spray by adding about five drops of essential oil to the water in a spray bottle and spraying it around your house.
Apply drops of peppermint oil to clothing
Purchase peppermint oil in its pure, concentrated form, and apply a few drops to the focal points of your clothes. You can add a little peppermint oil to the inside of your pockets and in areas where perspiration can attract mosquitoes and fleas, such as your armpits or around your neck.
Try a few drops of peppermint oil on a hidden part of your clothes to make sure the fabric doesn’t stain.
Spray bottle with peppermint oil and alcohol as an insect repellent
Dilute 1 part peppermint oil with 10 parts alcohol and put the solution in a plastic spray bottle. This will allow you to use peppermint oil in broader applications, such as plants, pets, and clothing.
You can also spray the solution onto your skin, although you may want to rub a little on your forearm first to make sure it doesn’t irritate your skin.
Peppermint oil with vitamin E as a natural repellent
Use the peppermint oil as an insect repellent, open a vitamin E capsule and mix with the peppermint oil. Vitamin E and peppermint oil will keep your skin smooth and soft, and will act as an effective natural insect repellent as well. You may need to reapply the solution once every 1 to 2 hours, however this is for best results.
Other essential oils to enhance the power of peppermint as a repellent
Mix peppermint oil with other types of natural oils that act as insect repellants. Using a mixture of more than one oil ensures that a greater variety of pests can be repelled, and that the potency of the formula will last longer as well.
Lemon eucalyptus oil, in particular, can extend the duration of protection against pests by 5-6 hours.
There are several ways to use peppermint oil as a repellent. The following oils can be used to complement the repellent properties of peppermint:
- lemongrass
- eucalyptus
- lemon eucalyptus
- citronella
- Rosemary
- atlas cedar wood
Keep in mind that any mixture used on the skin must be properly diluted before applying the oils, as several of these oils can cause chemical burns to the skin if applied clean