18 Irritating Pests Repelled by the Scent of Tea Tree Oil

Quite a few pests can make daily life a problem. Whether you’re out in nature, trying to grow a garden, or even sitting in the safety of your own home, insects, rodents, and spiders are always nearby, causing problems and getting into your belongings. Thankfully, there are 18 irritating pests repelled by tea tree oil.

The oil has a strong smell that deters many rodents. It can also soak right through the exoskeleton of insects and suffocate them. Fungus are also weak to tea tree oil.

In addition to keeping away pests, tea tree oil has many benefits for people. It’s a useful oil to keep around, and you’ll find yourself using it all the time once you realize all of its benefits.

Continue reading through the slideshow to learn which 18 major pests are repelled by the scent of tea tree oil, as well as safety tips and tricks for using essential oils.

1. Mosquitos

Even if it doesn’t work well for you, it does help reduce the itching from their bites after the fact.

2. Ants

Use it to keep fire ants away from your kids’ playing area, out of your home, and away from your garden.

3. Flies

While standard house flies are annoying, and this oil works against them, they’re not the only flies that avoid the smell of tea tree oil.

4. Dust Mites

On top of regularly cleaning your bedding and improving air quality, adding a few drops of tea tree oil to your laundry on occasion helps to kill the mites.

5. Ticks

It’s most effective for getting ticks off after they bite you, just place a couple of drops of the oil on the tick and they should let go.

6. Spiders

Tea tree oil, mixed with lavender or lemon oil, does a great job at keeping away spiders in your home.

7. Bed Bugs

Tea tree oil kills bed bugs and repels any new ones that would enter your home.

8. Cockroaches

Some people say it works at repelling cockroaches, while others say it not only doesn’t repel them, it can actually attract them.

9. Bees

You can spray it around an area you want to keep them away from, without harming the bees.

10. Lice

Tea tree and peppermint oil are better at killing lice than DEET most often.

11. Mice

Tea tree oil is one of many scents perfect for keeping away these small rodents.

12. Fungus

All sorts of fungus, from athlete’s foot to the fungus that attacks your garden, is bested by tea tree oil.

13. Moths

Tea tree, lavender, and cedarwood oil are all effective at keeping away moths.

14. Snails

Tea tree oil is somewhat effective at keeping away snails.

15. Slugs

Like with snails, tea tree oil is moderately effective against slugs.

16. Leeches

Those who do will be glad to know that tea tree oil helps to stop leeches from biting.

17. Rats

Just like with mice, rats are repelled by strong scents.

18. Fleas

However it doesn’t stop the eggs from hatching.

Tips and Tricks for Using Tea Tree Oil Safely

While tea tree oil is helpful when it comes to keeping away pests, it’s not entirely safe.

Keep Away From Pets

Tea tree oil is dangerous to most pets, including rabbits, cats, and dogs.

Spray and Cotton Balls

Put the oil on cotton balls or in a spray bottle.

Dilute

Tea tree oil should never be directly used on skin or items your skin will touch like sheets and clothes.

Blend With Other Oils

Try combining oils like lavender, lemon, and eucalyptus for different smells and effectiveness.

Use Regularly

Essential oils aren’t effective as long as store-bought repellents.

Never Ingest

It can be dangerous and cause problems such as rashes and difficulty breathing.

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