Natural Insect and Animal Repellents

Essential oils are potent, concentrated substances that are extracted from aromatic plants. Many essential oils have natural insect-repelling properties, making them a great alternative to chemical-based repellents. Here are some of the most popular essential oils and the insects and animals they repel:

1. Peppermint Oil: Repels spiders, roaches, lizards, snakes, mosquitoes, ants, mice, and rats.

2. Lemon Eucalyptus Oil: Repels mosquitoes, deer ticks, and other biting insects.

3. Tea Tree Oil: Repels mosquitoes, ants, and spiders.

4. Lavender Oil: Repels bed bugs, moths, fleas, mosquitoes, and flies.

5. Cedarwood Oil: Repels ants, roaches, fleas, ticks, and moths.

6. Citronella Oil: Repels mosquitoes, ants, flies, and other flying insects.

7. Lemongrass Oil: Repels mosquitoes, flies, and other insects.

8. Cinnamon Oil: Repels ants, snakes and mosquitoes.

9. Rosemary Oil: Repels mosquitoes and fleas.

10. Thyme Oil: Repels mosquitoes and other insects.

Essential oils can be used in many forms, including sprays, diffusers, candles, and even as a skin application. When using essential oils as a repellent, be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil if applying onto the skin. Always test a small area of skin for sensitivity before using any new essential oil.

In addition to their natural insect-repelling properties, many essential oils also have a pleasant aroma and can be used to freshen up living spaces. Essential oils offer a safer and more natural alternative to traditional chemical-based insect repellents, making them a great choice for protecting yourself and the environment. Any of the above repellants can be made by adding 10 drops of essential oil to a gallon of water to an insect spray bottle.