Essential Oils That Repel and Kill Fleas, Ticks, Roaches & Bed Bugs

Many commercial insecticides and insect repellents contain poisonous ingredients that are toxic to humans. Essential oils are effective alternatives to noxious, synthetic formulas. Essential oils are safe around small children and pets, are free of synthetic fragrances and are not cruelly tested on animals. Avoid harsh and dangerous chemicals. Keep your home insect free with pure and natural essential oils.

Lavender

Store pure lavender oil in dark-colored glass bottles to retain freshness.

Lavender essential oil is a safe, natural and efficient alternative to toxic chemical insecticides. The plant contains an essence the deters disease, insects and animal predators that might harm the plant. Although lavender is a scent that is repellent to insects, it is an important ingredient in perfume, lotions, shampoos, soaps and skin care products. Mix 10 to 15 drops of lavender essential oil in 1 ounce of coconut oil. Apply to exposed skin to deter mosquitoes, flies and ticks.

Cedar, Lemon and Fir

Spruce essential oil stimulates and invigorates the senses.

Cedar oil adds a fresh herbaceous and earthy, natural "green" scent to the air and effectively neutralizes tobacco, cooking and pet odors. Add 10 to 12 drops of cedar essential oil, 4 drops of lemon essential oil and 4 drops of white fir essential oil to 2 cups of baking soda and 4 tablespoons of borax. Place ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Sprinkle on carpets and upholstered furniture. Allow the soda mixture to remain for 30 minutes. Vacuum well to remove all soda residue. The soda and borax absorb soil, oils and odors, leaving your carpets and furniture fresh and clean. The fragrance of the essential oils remains in the carpet or upholstery material and repels mites, ticks, fleas, spiders, cockroaches, bedbugs, lice and mites.

Citrus

Orange essential oil presents a clean, refreshing scent.

Citrus oil quickly cuts through dirt and grime. When added to a carrier oil, it makes a natural, chemical-free furniture polish. Add 20 drops of lemon, orange, grapefruit or lime essential oil to 1/2 cup of olive oil. Mix well. Apply to furniture or sealed wood surfaces with a small, soft cloth. Scrub lightly to remove food particles, fingerprints and sticky residue. Polish with a dry, soft cloth. The lingering, fresh citrus fragrance effectively repels moths, spiders, bedbugs, scorpions, ants and other unwelcome insects.

Peppermint

Peppermint essential oil is a safe alternative to chemical-based insect repellents.

Peppermint is widely used in candies, confections, chewing gum, breath mints, toothpaste and mouthwash. Peppermint has been used as a culinary seasoning for centuries, enjoyed by cultures around the world. However, insects abhor the scent. To prevent ant infestations, sprinkle peppermint essential oil on windowsills, doorjambs or where signs of ant activity are noted. Peppermint is pleasant smelling, refreshing and is not harmful to children or pets.

Eucalyptus

100-percent-pure, therapeutic-grade eucalyptus essential oil has the ability to kill mites in linens and household bedding. Add 25 to 30 drops to the final laundry rinse water. Your laundry will be free of mites and scented with the subtle fragrance of refreshing eucalyptus. Place a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil on a cotton ball and tuck in sleeping bags, sofa cushions and pillows.

References

• The Santa Cruz Sentinel; Lavender Not Just For Soap Anymore: April 2005; Abbie Blair
• Illinois Department Of Public Health: Common Ticks
• Purdue University; Horticulture And Landscape Architecture; Essential Oils And Culinary Herbs; 1990; James E. Simon

Resources

• Young Living: Natural Household Cleaner
• Aromatherapy For Animals: Essential Oils As Flea Repellents
• Wildcrafted; Spider Bites, Flea Bites, Mosquotoes; Danny T. Siegenthaler