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.
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.
The photo featured at the top of this post is © AmyLv/Shutterstock.com
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