8 Annoying Critters that Can’t Stand the Smell of Cedarwood

The wood chips or sawdust of the cedar tree are used to create cedarwood essential oil through steam distillation. There are numerous varieties of cedar trees, and each has a unique essential oil. 

Although people use this oil to make their home smell nice or even as perfume, many use it to prevent annoying animals. The safety of cedarwood oil is well acknowledged. In accordance with the EPA, using it as directed on the label to help keep away pests is safe. 

It’s important to mention that cedarwood oil is considered relatively safe for domestic pets like cats and dogs. Whether you’re suffering from a mice infestation or just want to keep ants away, let’s take a look at which critters hate the smell of cedarwood! 

1. Fleas

It’s not a pleasant surprise to learn that your house is infested with fleas. Not only do these insects feed on human blood, but they give people and animals unsightly, perpetually irritating rashes. Fleas can be killed and repelled by cedarwood, particularly atlas cedarwood. 

You can take comfort in knowing that the fleas will soon be completely dead by employing a diluted version of cedar essential oil. This filthy but important task is completed with cedarwood oil by draining the moisture from the fleas, causing them to ultimately perish. 

When they touch cedarwood, fleas don’t stand a chance. This essential oil is a key component of numerous flea treatments already available on shelves due to its widespread reputation for being an efficient flea prevention method. Having said that, you can easily make the mixture yourself so that you are aware of every ingredient.

If cedarwood oil is heavily diluted, you can safely use it on your dog’s fur to get rid of fleas. However, before making that specific decision, we advise speaking with your pet’s veterinarian. 

Certain animals have unique intolerances or allergies to particular materials. Please verify with your vet that cedarwood oil is safe for your pooch.

2. Moths

For generations, cedar has been utilized as a natural insect repellent. To save priceless possessions and valuable items in your home, people have used cedar wood. Back in the day, all the way in ancient times, humans would create wood chests and build their homes out of cedar to prevent moths!  

Considering this, cedarwood essential oil is a great way to keep annoying moths away. The fragrant cedar essential oils discourage moths by sabotaging their pheromones. The oil is a favorite choice for moth control in linen storage areas, closets, and other locations where clothing is kept since moths detest its potent scent.

3. Rats and Mice

Mice and rats can come into our homes in a variety of ways. They most often do this for food or shelter. If you have a rodent infestation, consider using cedarwood oil. The most effective rodent repellent is cedar oil. 

Rats and mice hate the natural effluvium that cedarwood contains. In addition, it has acids that are toxic to mice and hydrocarbons like phenols. Rodents who have been exposed to particular amounts of cedar oil have been found to experience respiratory and skin irritation issues.

It can be utilized for making your own mouse deterrent by spraying it all around the entry points of your home. Simply combine the oil and water in a spray bottle and go to town! These tiny critters are affected by the smell, and they are going to avoid any location where they can smell it.

4. Ticks

When you put this oil on your skin, it forms a unique barrier that ticks cannot and will not cross! You can simply take a cotton ball and put diluted cedarwood on your skill. Some people even use shampoos and lotions that have this oil in them. 

As you can guess, you’ll want to keep cedarwood oil away from your eyes. It will likely need to be reapplied every few hours to keep ticks off you. It’s crucial to get rid of ticks immediately after finding one on your person. 

Simply mist a bit of oil on the tick and wait. About a minute later, the tick should automatically detach from you. 

5. Spiders

It’s helpful to know that pests like spiders don’t like cedar, among several other scents. Some homeowners may put cedar chips around their homes particularly to deter spiders! Spiders can be killed by cedarwood since the acids harm their lungs. 

Additionally, the phenols penetrate their respiratory systems and eventually destroy their livers once they are inhaled. In storage areas, light fixtures, cellars, cupboards, or any other area where you notice spiders and their webs, mix some oil or scatter some cedar chips there.

Whether cedar is present in household items, plants, blocks, paneling, or any other form, it consistently exhibits patterns that deter spiders. If you don’t currently have cedar in your home, cedarwood essential oil is a simple and useful substitute.

6. Snakes

A fantastic scent-based snake repellent is cedar oil, which emits phenols that deter snakes. Wherever you don’t want snakes to slither, put cedar oil. According to researchers, the aroma of this essential oil can make snakes frightened and weak, prompting them to flee for safety. 

Additionally, they say that the aroma of cedarwood essential oil tricks snakes into thinking that it can melt their scales. While our A to Z team member Gail is a snake whisperer, she can’t quite read their minds to let us know whether or not this is true. 

If you don’t have animals in certain locations and they are prone to snake problems, you may additionally utilize cedar shavings. Scatter the shavings all over, and you have yourself a cheap and effective snake deterrent.

7. Wasps 

Because wasps are extremely sensitive to strong scents like cedarwood, it is a fantastic way to repel them. This is a strong, natural wasp repellent that is simple to prepare and use. Powerful chemicals found in cedarwood combine to form a pungent essential oil that helps prevent wasps from approaching the source of the aroma.

The wasps flee and conceal themselves because the strong odor of cedarwood is so overpowering and potent. They are at risk from the intense aroma, and if they come into touch with the essential oils, they can quickly perish.

To make a concoction to get rid of these dangerous and pesky critters, all you need is a spray bottle, cedarwood oil, water, and a bit of bravery. You won’t need a lot of cedarwood oil, so dilute the mixture by adding about 15 to 20 drops to some water.

Mist in very particular spots where you wish to keep wasps away. This can include window sills, doorways, siding, outdoor kennels, and play areas for children. 

8. Ants

Strong scents like those of cedarwood essential oil may deceive ants and prevent them from accessing homes. To avoid excruciating bites from fire ants, this oil can be useful. Try dabbing a few droplets of an essential oil that is repulsive to ants onto a piece of cotton where the ants are coming from if you frequently see them in one spot. 

As you can guess, you can create a mixture of the oil and water. Spray it around any access points of your home. If you have cracks in your foundation, you can use it there as well. Some gardeners like spraying cedar around their gardens, in addition to cedar chips to keep all types of insects, including ants, away from crops. 

Summary of Annoying Creatures That Hate Cedarwood

1. Fleas

2. Moths

3. Rats and Mice

4. Ticks

5. Spiders

6. Snakes

7. Wasps 

8. Ants