Repel Insects Naturally
Using essential oils to repel insects
As we move from Summer to Spring our annoying buzzing, biting and stinging insect companions become more active. Did you know that essential oils can be used as a natural alternative to synthetic chemical products in keeping the insects at bay?
How do the essential oils repel insects?
Essential oils contain aromatic compounds that are often disagreeable or irritating to pests, making them less likely to inhabit areas where these scents are prevalent. How effective the essential oils are can depend on factors such as the type of insect, the concentration of the oil used, and environmental conditions. Some essential oils, such as citronella, lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus, are particularly renowned for their insect-repelling properties. To banish insects you can disperse the essential oils into the air using a either a diluted spray around your home or burnt in candles or wax melts.
Advantages of using Natural Insect Repellent
Using natural ways to repel insects offers numerous benefits, both for your health and the environment. Unlike chemical insecticides, natural methods are non-toxic and pose no risk of harmful exposure to you, your family, or pets. Additionally, natural repellents are often biodegradable and safer for insects like bees and butterflies. By opting for natural solutions, you can effectively control pests while minimising your ecological footprint and creating a healthier living environment.
Essential oils also have pleasant, natural scents, unlike chemical repellents, which can have strong and unpleasant odours. As well as keeping insects away, they can also be used for aromatherapy, promoting relaxation and wellness.
Finally, insects are less likely to develop resistance to natural repellents compared to chemical ones, ensuring continued effectiveness over time.
Effective Essential Oils
Here are some of the most effective insect repelling oils to use to clear your home of annoying invaders and keep your summer evenings outside pest free.
Lemon Eucalyptus:
Most effective essential oil to repel mosquitoes
Lavender: effective at repelling mosquitos, flies, gnats, bed bugs, ants, lice, moths, spiders, ticks, fruit flies
Peppermint: repellent for fleas, spiders, ants, cockroaches, gnats, moths, wasps, aphids, bed bugs, fruit flies
Tea Tree: repels head lice, bed bugs, dust mites
Geranium: mosquitoes, ticks, and other bothersome pests.
Clove: mosquitoes, wasps, moths, flies, fleas, earwigs, cockroaches
So what makes the oils repellent? Researchers have been able to identify many of the specific compounds in the effective oils above triggered responses in wasp and insect antennae. Some of the most active compounds included menthone, linalool, terpinen-4-ol, isopulegol, citral, eugenol, methyl salicylate, and thujone which are present in the most effective essential oils. This suggests that plants may have evolved these strong-smelling essential oil compounds as a defense against insect pests. So by using these oils we will deter the insects too.
Ways to use the essential oils
To banish insects you can disperse the essential oils into the air using a diluted spray around your home. Spritz around doors and windows as well as into the air to keep pests away.For outside spray it liberally around your picnic table, patio furniture, bins, or anywhere else insects and wasps tend to congregate. Alternatively burn the oils in candles or wax melts - use outdoors to keep your Summer evenings critter free or indoors for a bug free space.
Here at Flicker & Scent we have carefully crafted a bug busting blend! Bugs Away is a blend of essential oils that are known to keep insects away including Lavender, Lemon Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Tea Tree and Geranium. Bugs Away is available in a room mist, tealights and soy wax melts.
Other ways to repel insects naturally
Plants & Herbs
As well as using essential oils to get rid of insects you can integrate insect-repelling plants into your home decor. Plants like lavender, basil, mint, and chrysanthemums naturally deter insects. Not only do they add a touch of greenery, but they also serve as a proactive defence against unwelcome guests. Plant insect repelling plants in the garden amongst other plants. Marigolds, garlic, chives and chrysanthemums
Citrus Peel
Citrus peels, especially oranges and lemons can deter spiders and other insects. Place them near windowsills and doorways.
Flicker & Scent have a wide range of home fragrance and wellbeing products all inspired by nature and to suit every mood shop here
