{"id":1975,"date":"2022-09-12T20:59:36","date_gmt":"2022-09-12T20:59:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/?p=1975"},"modified":"2022-09-12T20:59:38","modified_gmt":"2022-09-12T20:59:38","slug":"does-peppermint-oil-repel-spiders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/does-peppermint-oil-repel-spiders\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Peppermint Oil Repel Spiders?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From itsy bitsy spiders to fast-moving daddy long legs, some of us have severe arachnophobia<\/a>. Endless sleepless nights, knowing an eight-legged intruder is hiding out somewhere <\/em>in the bedroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If capturing these creepy crawlies in a jar to put outside isn\u2019t your thing, and you can\u2019t bear the thought of killing them (you shouldn\u2019t because spiders control the spread of other pests like roaches and mosquitoes<\/a>), then what can you do? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, there\u2019s one essential oil that can help!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, does peppermint oil repel spiders<\/strong>? Yes, spiders do not like the smell of peppermint oil. In this article, we’ll discuss how it all works!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Does Peppermint Oil Repel Spiders?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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You may have heard that spiders don\u2019t like the smell of peppermint essential oil<\/a>. But is this really true?  Does peppermint oil repel spiders?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, many studies suggest that yes, it is true! This is why many people now use this minty fresh essential oil to keep their spider nightmares at bay, leaving you safe from jumping out of your skin whenever you see those fast-moving legs darting across your floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natural essential oils, which are derived from plants, and have been used for thousands of years by humans the world over \u2014 and not only for the fragrant aroma that they provide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These highly concentrated oils also have many healing properties, so they can be used to help balance the well-being of both the body and mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peppermint Power<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Peppermint, also known by its scientific name menthe piperita<\/a>, is actually a hybrid mint that was created by crossing water mint and spearmint. The plant is commonly grown to be used as a culinary or medicinal herb, but the oil derived from it is even more powerful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peppermint, also known by its scientific name menthe piperita, is actually a hybrid mint that was created by crossing water mint and spearmint. The plant is commonly grown to be used as a culinary or medicinal herb, but the oil derived from it is even more powerful.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The essential oil of peppermint has a pungent taste with a cooling sensation, which is why it is an ingredient that can be found in natural toothpaste and mouthwashes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The oil also has a very sharp and fresh menthol odor, which may go some way in explaining why spiders (and many other pests like roaches<\/a>) find it so repelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a study published by the Journal of Economic Entomology<\/em><\/a> <\/em>in 2018, it was found that peppermint essential oil played a big part in keeping spiders from areas where the scent was prominent in the majority of cases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, with this scientific backing, you can rest assured that using peppermint essential oil can be used as a natural option to help you repel spiders, so they don\u2019t start building webs and hanging out around your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why Do Spiders Hate Peppermint Oil?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are different theories as to why peppermint oil works as a spider repellent, and the most popular has to do with their spidey senses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Spiders have a strong sense of smell, which manifests in their leg organs. The menthol odor that emanates from peppermint oil is incredibly strong. This could be the reason why spiders will avoid walking near the oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, some stick insects will defend themselves from being eaten by spiders by producing a milky secretion that has a sharp smell quite similar to peppermint. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isn\u2019t nature really cool?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It could also be the case that some of the active compounds in peppermint essential oil are slightly toxic to spiders, which is another reason why they will move away from the smell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news (especially if you are an animal lover) is that peppermint essential oil definitely won\u2019t kill spiders, it just keeps them away from your home. And if you have a garden, then you can also plant some peppermint in pots near your door frames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news (especially if you are an animal lover) is that peppermint essential oil definitely won\u2019t kill spiders, it just keeps them away from your home. And if you have a garden, then you can also plant some peppermint in pots near your door frames.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Get Creative<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Besides using peppermint essential oil by placing a few drops wherever there are any cracks or crevices around your house, or by using a vaporizer or diffuser, you can make your own spider repellent quite easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a spray bottle, some peppermint essential oil, vinegar, and water to create a spidey away spray:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. In the spray bottle, add 1.5 cup of water and 0.5 cup of white vinegar<\/li>
  2. Add 25 drops of peppermint essential oil<\/li>
  3. Shake the mixture vigorously before spraying onto dusty corners, windowsills, and door frames. <\/li>
  4. Repeat weekly.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    You can also spritz it around your home and use it as a natural air freshener, which will also repel our arachnid… compatriots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One thing to be aware of though is to be careful that you keep the spray away from fabrics and natural wood because the essential oil contained in the solution will leave stains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Peppermint Oil Precautions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If you do decide to use peppermint essential oil to get rid of a spider problem, then you should be aware that it is toxic to cats, dogs, and birds. Your pets can get very sick even if they inhale it, because of the menthol vapor emitted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Humans can also be affected by menthol, which can also cause not only skin irritation, but also nausea and dizziness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And if you have small children or asthma sufferers living in your home, then you should find another way to repel your arachnids. Using peppermint essential oil around the house can affect their breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Are There Any Other Spider-Repelling Oils?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s not just peppermint essential oil that has been shown to keep spiders away from your home. Eugenol<\/a>, which is a component of clove essential oil, is used in some commercial pest control sprays because it is a known pesticide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This is why some people use clove oil to repel spiders, although you should be aware that this essential oil can irritate your skin. Plus, it\u2019s not safe to use around pets, so if you have furry friends, it\u2019s probably best to avoid doing this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Although it\u2019s not an essential oil, there is another all-natural product that you can use to help repel spiders \u2014 chestnuts! The same study in the Journal of Economic Entomology mentioned earlier in this article showed that spiders not only were repelled by peppermint essential oil, but they also avoided spaces where there were chestnuts around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So, if you want to try this spider-repelling tactic at home, place some chestnuts around the house where spiders tend to gather, such as baseboard corners, windowsills, garages, and near the frames of outside doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Final Words<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    So, does peppermint oil repel spiders? Well, the currently-available science does suggest that peppermint oil repels spiders in situations where there\u2019s not an infestation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Vacuuming regularly in the corners where spiders like to gather while spritzing these areas with your spray, should do the trick to keep spiders at bay.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    From itsy bitsy spiders to fast-moving daddy long legs, some of us have severe arachnophobia. Endless sleepless nights, knowing an eight-legged intruder is hiding out somewhere in the bedroom. If capturing these creepy crawlies in a jar to put outside isn\u2019t your thing, and you can\u2019t bear the thought of killing them (you shouldn\u2019t because […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1978,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1975"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1975"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1975\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1997,"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1975\/revisions\/1997"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1978"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1975"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1975"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1975"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}