That's what's been going through my mind lately, I'm still not sure if it's just how it is living in the Pacific Northwest, more moisture more bugs or if it's just this old house, not being air tight. But it seems this home has been providing my little one with a slew of bugs. As much as I like him learning about bugs I don't like how they find their way into the house so I turned to my Essential Oils...
I found Peppermint Oil...
to be an excellent, non-toxic, inexpensive, environmentally friendly solution. Ever since I switched out all toxic chemical cleaning products in the home...I'm always turning to my oils looking for alternative solutions for all my needs. From my search I composed a list of oils to use for various pests, I'll share it below!
This simple recipe...
seems to work the best for me. I fill an 8oz bottle with water in which I add 12 drops of the essential oil or combination there of. Then I just spray it on the areas where I've seen the little critters, remember to shake the bottle before each use to mix well. For ants I've sprayed it on the windowsills and around the bottom of the doors. You can also place a few drops of the essential oil on cotton balls and place them in spots where you know they are entering from.
The oils really do deter bugs...
I've actually watched ants turn around once they reach the oil. I've drawn a line of oil with my finger and they will NOT cross it they turn back! Another thing I found useful is to use the oils to do my daily counter top wiping as an additional preventive measure, cos' I don't like to think about what crawls on the counters while I'm sleeping :)
Earwigs seem to be prevalent...
in our home and honestly they creep me out! What I found works best with them is On Guard blend. For whatever reason...they hate it the most and I've been doing great at keeping them out of the home. My little bug expert found 3 little earwigs on his bed! Freaked me out. So now, we religiously spray down the bedding every evening with lavender...it not only keeps all kinds of critters away...it also promotes a restful sleep :)
Okay...so here's the list I promised:
I found an original list online but I've been adding to it as I find more info from my searches, as well as from my own successful experiences with the oils.
Ants: Peppermint/Spearmint
Aphids: Peppermint/Spearmint,Sandalwood,White Fir
Bed Bugs (cimex Lectularius): Clove, Lavender, Lemongrass, Peppermint
Beetles: Peppermint/Spearmint, Thyme
Caterpillars: Peppermint/Spearmint
Chiggers: Lavender, Lemongrass, Thyme
Cutworms: Thyme
Earwigs: On Guard
Fleas: Peppermint/Spearmint, Lemongrass, Lavender
Flies: Peppermint/Spearmint, Lavender, Rosemary, Basil, Clove, Eucalyptus
Gnats: Peppermint/Spearmint, Patchouli
Lice: Peppermint/Spearmint
Mites: (scabies) Lavender, Melaleuca, Peppermint
Mosquitoes: Lavender, Lemongrass
Moths: Peppermint/Spearmint, Lavender
Roaches: Eucalyptus
Slugs: White Fir
Snails: Patchouli, White Fir
Spiders: Peppermint/Spearmint
Weevils: Patchouli, Sandalwood
A few tips...
A wonderful all in one bug repellent is TerraShield. It's an all natural formula of essential oils blended in a base of fractionated coconut oil. I like to make up a spray bottle like above and spray everyone down before going out, camping or hikes, one application lasts 4-6 hours.
Flea Eggs: If you suspect your pets brought in fleas, you can create a carpet fresh powder of 1/4 cup baking soda and 6 drops of Wintergreen Essential oil, sprinkle it on your carpet and let it sit for a few hours and vacuum, you can also create the spray above and spray furniture, and both your and your pets bedding.
Mice...though they aren't bugs...they are critters that like to come in during the winter months...they too hate Peppermint...so a few drops on a cotton ball and placed in the area where they are entering works wonders :)
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