Before heading to the stores to purchase chemical insect repellents, try peppermint. Peppermint is easy to grow. You will find it growing naturally on its own. Although it is a great spreader, it is not as invasive as other peppermint types.
5 Best-Selling Peppermint Oil
The herb does well when grown outdoors or indoors. Below are some of the insects that hate peppermint’s smell and will soon disappear if you grow this magic herb in your home.
1. Flies
One might think that flies are harmless since they don’t bite. That is not true. The insects are carriers of deadly diseases like cholera and typhoid. Growing peppermint around your house will keep flies away. They hate the smell of peppermint and can’t live in areas where it grows. You can also dry peppermint leaves and place them in your pantry if it is a favorite spot for these annoying insects.
2. Cockroaches
Cockroaches are known to live in almost any kind of habitat and eat almost anything available. The insects can become a nuisance as they tend to multiply very fast.
To get rid of them, pick some peppermint leaves, crush them, and put them in a container with hot water. Let the mixture cool and pour it in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture in cockroaches’ favorite areas like corners and kitchen cabinets.
3. Boxelder Bugs
Although box elders are not very destructive in the garden, they may cause discomfort to homeowners. In the cold months, they seek shelter in houses. They may find their way to different rooms, such as bedrooms and kitchen walls. They produce a filthy odor when crashed and may die in your house, leaving ugly scenes.
The bugs may also damage strawberries, apples, and other garden trees. Growing peppermint in your garden will repel the insects. Growing the herbs around your house will also deter the bugs from getting inside.
4. Spiders
Peppermint and all the other varieties of mint act as spider repellents. Spiders don’t like the aromatic scent of peppermint. Plant peppermint in containers and place them near windows and doors to keep spiders away. You can also pick fresh leaves and spread them near your house. Peppermint oil will also repel spiders effectively. You can easily make it at home by following the guide below
Requirements:
• Ten drops of peppermint essential oil
• Dish washing soap
• Distilled water
Mix all the ingredients in a spray bottle, shake it, and pour the mixture around your home. Repeat the process frequently.
5. Fruit Flies
Fruit flies are one of the most irritating insects. You will find them flying over kitchen tops or food storage areas. The menthol scent of peppermint causes displeasure to fruit flies, and they can’t stand it.
Mix crushed peppermint leaves and water then spray the mixture around the areas where these irritating insects love.
6. Wasps
Wasps are crucial for gardens as they are pollinators. They also feed on harmful garden pests. Unfortunately, they are known to sting people. Wasps’ stings are very painful. They may also cause allergic reactions. If you don’t want to have them around, it is easy to repel them.
Fortunately, you can get rid of these stinging insects by growing peppermint around your home. The scent will repel the insects and discourage them from taking shelter around your home.
7. Moths
Moths can cause significant damage to your home. Their larvae can feed on your clothes and ruin them. They can also feed on dry foods. Some of them produce substances that may cause allergic reactions when they come into contact with the human skin.
Moths feed on plants leaves and cause damages too. Pick peppermint leaves and place them in paper bags. Hang them in areas infested with moths and watch them disappear after some time.
8. Ants
Ants enter houses in search of food. When they get inside, it will be very hard for them to get out on their own. Some ants’ species can bite people, but the majority of the species are usually harmless.
Some live in gardens and offer various benefits such as soil aeration. Growing peppermint around your house will prevent them from getting inside.
9. Aphids
As a gardener, most probably, you have had to deal with aphids at some point. They are usually found clustered in large groups and may cause massive damage to plants. Although some plants are known to attract these insects, others like peppermints have been used to repel them.
Grow mint in pots and spread them in your garden to keep aphids away. You can also crash peppermint leaves, add them in dish-washing soap and spray the mixture on affected plants.
10. Mosquitoes
Apart from causing itchiness and irritation, mosquitoes can also spread harmful diseases like dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. The best way to avoid mosquito bites is by preventing them from getting into your space. Mosquitoes will not tolerate the scent of peppermint.
Image Credits: James Gathany
Grow peppermint in containers and place them in various areas of your home. You can also crush the leaves and apply them on your skin to prevent the insects from biting you. Growing peppermint in your garden will also repel mosquitoes.
Peppermint Growing Tips
• You can grow peppermint in containers or directly in the garden. The herb requires fertile soils with adequate drainage and frequent watering. Peppermint prefers shady areas. It will still grow in sunny spots but thrives well in the shade.
• The herb can easily take over your garden since it spreads fast. This should not prevent you from growing it. You can uproot it when it spreads to unwanted areas. Growing peppermint in containers also discourages it from spreading.
• You can grow peppermint from seeds or cuttings. Ensure you get certified seeds or cuttings from healthy plants.
• Always feed your plants with an all-purpose liquid fertilizer to maximize its production. You can also use compost manure.
Peppermint repels several insects and pests that may be a nuisance in the house or the garden. Growing them is an inexpensive and safe way of having a bug-free environment. Apart from growing the herb for repelling insects, it also has other uses. Don’t be afraid to cook various dishes and add peppermint to enhance their flavor.
How To Use Peppermint Oil As Repellent
Peppermint oil are not only great for medicinal use but it can also be your natural insect repellent that repels ants, spiders, and keep pests away such as aphids, bettles, catterpilars, fleas, flies and other pests in the garden or plants.
There are three ways to use them as a repellent:
- Soak a cotton ball on your peppermint oil and hide them in the areas where the insect hides or gather.
- Applying them directly to the affected areas
- Mixing it with water and spray the repellent on the areas you are trying to protect. Just mix 10 drops of peppermint oil on a 16 oz water and transfer it to a spray bottle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some insects can’t tolerate the strong scent of peppermint. They will avoid areas near the plant as the scent irritates them.
Although mint repels several pests, it is also prone to attack by pests like cutworms, thrips, and spider mites.
Peppermint oil is an essential oil made by heating the peppermint plant to extract oil. The oil has multiple uses, such as making cosmetics, cleaning agents, and for medicinal purposes.
Some people may experience some allergic reactions if they come into contact with the plant. This is a rare occurrence and affects a very small percentage of people.
Certain herbs should not be grown together with mint in containers. This is because they have different growing requirements. Some will want more or less water, and sun too. The herbs include rosemary, sage, and thyme. Grow them in separate containers to achieve excellent growth.
