Which Pests can Peppermint Repel?

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Which Insects Hate Peppermint?

Pests can be a real nuisance. Everything from big rats to tiny bed bugs can cause so much harm to you and damage to your home. The good news is that there are several home remedies you can use to combat them.

One miracle plant that you can use to fight them off is peppermint. The strong scent of peppermint is something that a lot of pests can’t stand. Using peppermint leaves or oil is a great way to eliminate pests in your home.

But can peppermint get rid of any pest that you have in your house? Which pests hate the smell of peppermint exactly? Let’s dive in and have a closer look at this.

If you’re interested in natural solutions to repel bugs, we have many more ideas on that front: How Do You Get Rid of Dust Mites Naturally?

Does Peppermint Repel Wasps?

One of the most annoying and painful pests to have around are wasps. If they are outside, they won’t be a problem if you leave them alone. The problem is a lot of times, wasps make their nests in homes. This is when things go bad.

Are Wasps Dangerous?

When wasps make a nest in your house, they will sting you whenever you come near. This is something that is very, very painful. Not only is it painful, but it can cause some serious conditions as well. If you’re allergic, or if you’ve been bitten by a swarm of wasps, you may die.

Wasps are more dangerous than bees because they are bigger. They pack more venom in their stings then bees do. To make matters worse, wasps don’t die when they sting. So they can sting you continuously without harming themselves.

Other than that, they can also damage your home. Wasps like to make nests on wood. So if you don’t get rid of them, they may make their homes in the wood panels of your home.

How do you use peppermint to keep wasps away?

The good news is that peppermint does repel wasps. Wasps, like many other pests, hate the smell of peppermint. That’s why they will stay well away from it.

• All you’ll need is peppermint oil and some cotton balls. Soak the cotton in the oil, and place them in strategic locations around your house. You want to place them in potential nesting spots. When the strong scent of peppermint hits the wasps, they will go well away from your home.

Does Peppermint Repel Spiders?

A lot of people don’t see spiders as pests. They stay in their corners and don’t bother humans much. Also, they feed on insects in the house. Nonetheless, a lot of people don’t like spiders in their homes. This is because they dirty the house, and some species are venomous.

Do spiders hate peppermint plants?

If you’re like this, you’ll be happy to know that spiders also hate peppermint. Spiders smell and taste using their legs. That’s why they avoid walking over strong odors if possible. And, as we all know, peppermint has a very strong odor.

How do you use peppermint to keep spiders away?

• To get rid of spiders take a spray bottle and fill it with water. Add five drops of peppermint oil and add a little dish soap. Spray this solution around your home, in the corners where you usually see spiders. Once you’re done, you can rest assured that no spider will want to pass there.

Aside from that, you can also use peppermint plants themselves. Place these in areas where spiders may enter your house, and they won’t want to come in anymore.

There are lots of ways to get rid of spiders naturally, we have a whole article about it: How to Get Rid of Spiders Naturally?

Does Peppermint Repel Fleas?

If you have a pet, you know that some pests bother them as well. One of the worst is fleas. Fleas feed on the blood of your pets. Their bites are not only itchy, but it can also spread diseases to your dogs or cats.

How do you use peppermint to keep fleas away?

Unfortunately, when it comes to fleas, peppermint does not kill them. It doesn’t repel them either. This is a pest that peppermint oil isn’t very effective against.

That said, you can use peppermint oil to kill off flea larvae. You can also use peppermint oil to soothe the bites of fleas. So it isn’t useless for your pets.

Does Peppermint Repel Mosquitos?

Yes. One of the most effective ways to get rid of mosquitos is by using peppermint. It doesn’t kill them, but it keeps them away.

Are Mosquitos Dangerous?

Mosquitos are a terrible pest to have around. They are not only annoying but also very dangerous. Mosquitos can carry a dozen viruses with them. So many people around the globe die because of diseases carried by mosquitoes.

How do you use peppermint to keep mosquitos away?

That’s why you want to do everything you can to avoid mosquito bites. The good news is that mosquitos absolutely abhor the scent of peppermint. All you have to do is stay around peppermint plants, and mosquitos won’t bother you at all.

• Another way to use peppermint to repel mosquitos is by crushing its leaves. Crush the leaves and rub the oil on your skin. When you do this, mosquitoes will fly right past you.
• You can also use peppermint oil to soothe the itch left behind by mosquito bites.

Can Peppermint Repel Ants?

Ants are not very dangerous to have around, but they can be very painful. They come in their thousands and can infest your house in no time.

Ants rely on pheromones to find food. Scouts look for the food, once they find it, the other ants follow their chemical trail to the food. Ants also use these chemicals to communicate with one another. That’s why when there is a strong scent around, ants go crazy.

How do you use peppermint to keep ants away?

• That’s why ants steer clear of any strong scents. You can take advantage of this by putting peppermint plants or oils in entrance points. With a strong scent blocking their way in, ants will stay outside.

Don’t worry, we have advice on how to get rid of ants naturally too! What Ants Don’t Like: Natural Ways to Repel Ants

Can Peppermint Repel Mice?

A lot of mouse and rat repellents come with peppermint scent. This leads some people to believe that peppermint can repel mice and rats on its own. However, this is not true. Peppermint cannot repel mice.

Yes, mice indeed have very sensitive noses. But mice are not the kinds of animals to shy away from strong scents if it means food. That’s why even if your house is a peppermint wonderland, mice will still come in if you let them.

The reason why mouse repellent products use peppermint is for its good smell. It doesn’t help get rid of the mice in any way. So don’t try to get rid of the mice in your house by using peppermint, this will only make your house smell better.

Can Peppermint Repel Cockroaches?

We all hate cockroaches. They’re ugly and dirty disease carriers. The worst thing about cockroaches is that they are so hard to get rid of. They multiply like crazy and can infest your house in no time.

If you have a serious cockroach problem, peppermint can’t do much about it. But if you only encounter cockroaches now and then, peppermint will help your situation.

How do you use peppermint to keep cockroaches away?

Like a lot of other pests, cockroaches hate strong scents. That’s why using peppermint will work against cockroaches.

• Mix peppermint with water and vinegar, and spray this solution around your home. Spray it in areas where cockroaches hide.

Remember, this mixture will not kill cockroaches. But its strong fragrance will push them away from your home.

Can Peppermint Repel Termites?

Termites are, without a doubt, a very destructive pest. Left on their own, they can eat up an entire house. That’s why the moment you spot termites in your house, you need to do something about them immediately. If you leave them alone, you are going to pay for that.

There are plenty of home remedies to deal with termites. When it comes to peppermint though, there are no studies done on this. No one can say for sure if peppermint will get rid of termites in your house.

It’s worth a try if you want to see if it works. But if you want to get rid of the termites right away, which you should, it’s better to go for something else. Go for something else that is proven to kill or repel termites in your house before it’s too late.

Can Peppermint Repel Bed Bugs?

The great thing about peppermint versus bed bugs is that it actually kills them. When you apply peppermint on your skin, you’ll feel a slight burning sensation.

How do you use peppermint to keep bed bugs away?

• For bed bugs, this is strong enough to kill them. That’s why if you spray peppermint oil or solution on bed bugs, they will die.
• This isn’t the most effective way to get rid of bed bugs though. To kill them, you have to spray them directly.

But to keep them away, all you have to do is spray peppermint oil and water around your bed. Spray your bed frame and your mattress, and bugs won’t be able to stand the scent.

Conclusion

The claims that peppermint is great for getting rid of pests is true, but it can get exaggerated at times. With this list, you now know which common pests peppermint repels, and you now know which pests it won’t be very effective against. So go and get some peppermint to protect your home from these.

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