How to Use Pennyroyal as a Bug Repellent

Just planting pennyroyal around the house can make a major impact on your bug problem.

Pennyroyal is an amazingly effective natural bug repellent. Simply planting pennyroyal around your house can discourage bugs from taking up residence in your back yard, and keeping a vase of fresh pennyroyal in a room can not only drive potential pests away but kill the ones already occupying the area. Pennyroyal essential oil also works as a bug repellent to keep away ticks, mosquitoes and other biting and stinging pests. In this article, we will discuss how to use pennyroyal as a bug repellent.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Pennyroyal essential oil
• 2 cups of water
• Eucalyptus essential oil
• Lemongrass essential oil
• Spray bottle

How to Use Pennyroyal as Bug Repellent

1. Pour two cups of water into the spray bottle. Distilled water is best for this, but you can also use tap water.

2. A drop of pennyroyal essential oil under a dog's collar can keep fleas and ticks away for as long as prescription medications can.

   Shake up the water with 10 drops of pennyroyal essential oil. The pennyroyal should blend thoroughly with the water.

3. Add 2-4 drops of the eucalyptus and lemongrass essential oils. These herbs also fight bugs, but their main purpose in this bug spray is to improve the smell. Pennyroyal is slightly pungent and some people find it mildly offensive.

4. Spray the pennyroyal repellent on your exposed skin. Keep it away from your eyes. Pregnant women should avoid close proximity to pennyroyal altogether.

5. Mist pets, plants and even outdoor seating areas with the pennyroyal spray to keep annoying bugs at bay. Because the spray is entirely herbal and natural, it will not hurt if you get it on your hands or ingest small amounts. However, it tastes pretty terrible, so do not spray it near food.

Tips & Warnings

• Pregnant women can be adversely affected by pennyroyal and should not use this bug repellent.