Here is how to use peppermint oil spray for wasps.
A lot of benefits have been attributed to essential oils including having pest repellent properties. While some of these benefits have been confirmed to be true, others aren’t so clear to many.
Are you having wasp issues and think peppermint oil could be a possible repellent or solution?
Does Peppermint Oil Repel Wasps?
You’ll want to read this article to find out. We’ll try to be as comprehensive as possible by covering every aspect of this essential oil treatment. If it works as a wasp repellent, how is it used?
Also, we’ll be looking at the reasons to use this oil instead of other insecticides.
These are only a few of several aspects we’ll be discussing. By the end, you should have all the answers you seek.
Why Repel Wasps in the First Place?
When wasps come around your property, they pick ideal locations to build their nests.
These insects are attracted to anything sweet such as open soda or juice, ripe fruits, honey, and lots of other sweetened foods. They’re also attracted to protein foods.
All of these will be found in abundant supply when your bins aren’t kept tightly sealed.
The bigger problem comes with their stings. Unlike bees that sting just once, a wasp stings multiple times. It even releases a pheromone that alerts other wasps as a backup. Their stings cause a great deal of pain and irritations.
You don’t want to have these lodged around your home.
Wasp presence around your property could worsen when prompt action isn’t taken. In a situation where you have lots of wasp presence or the problem gets out of hand, you’ll have to call for expert help.
A DIY treatment even with a product that works isn’t worth the risk.
Peppermint Wasp Control
Peppermint, like some essential oils, can give you the relief you seek when applied to a wasp problem.
This essential oil can be applied in a variety of ways to contain a wasp problem. Irrespective of what method or formulation is used, as long as peppermint oil is involved, you’ll be able to contain the problem.
To have a real chance at repelling wasps, peppermint oil needs to be used the right way. There are lots of methods to apply this treatment to your wasp problem. You’ll find out about all that and more shortly.
How Peppermint Oil Repels Wasps
When it comes to the use of this essential oil for wasp control, you’ll need to understand how it works. Peppermint oil gets its repellent effect from its strong scent.
This is overpowering to not only wasps, but other bugs such as aphids, boxelder bugs, ants, fruit flies, stink bugs, moths, spiders, and head lice, etc.
When sprayed or applied to your surroundings, its scent permeates the environment causing wasps to retreat. Now, you’ll need to spray peppermint oil treatments repeatedly to have the desired impact.
You want to introduce the smell for long enough to drive away wasps.
The good thing with this essential oil is that while wasps and other pests find it repulsive, it smells nice to humans. So, you get to freshen your air while driving out wasps.
You Can Either Use Peppermint Oil Alone or Add Other Oils and Products
A simple mixture of peppermint oil and water will give you the repellent effect you seek.
However, the same oil can be mixed with other essential oils such as cinnamon oil, lemongrass, clove, and geranium oils to get a repellent effect.
For some homeowners, the point of mixing multiple essential oils may be to achieve a certain scent while also getting results. Peppermint oil can also be used with products like dish soap and rubbing alcohol.
How To Use Peppermint Oil For Wasps
As a versatile product, peppermint oil can be used in several ways.
The aim is to introduce its scent to your surroundings. With that said, let’s consider the many ways through which peppermint oil can be put to good use.
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Spraying Around your Home
To make a spray formulation, you’ll need to get a spray bottle, about 4 oz water, 4 oz vinegar, 1 teaspoon of pure peppermint oil, and 1 teaspoon of pure lemongrass oil.
All of these ingredients should be emptied into your spray bottle and well shaken. Of course, you’ll need to have the spray bottle covered before shaking.
Now your peppermint spray is ready for application.
Locate wasp nests around your home and apply a mist over them. You mustn’t wet the area as it could lead to other problems such as mold growth due to excess moisture.
Common areas used by wasps to build nests include window shutters, railings, steps, eaves among others. You’re expected to have identified these nests before preparing your peppermint oil treatment.
Repeated treatments may be necessary to ensure wasps don’t return. After a few days, such nests should be empty. To prevent wasps from returning, their nests will need to be removed.
Get these nests out completely.
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Soak Cotton Balls in Peppermint Oil and Place Around Affected Areas
Another method of carrying out treatment using peppermint oil is by soaking cotton balls in peppermint oil and placing them around affected areas. This is one of the easiest ways to repel wasps using essential oil.
If wasps seem to be out of reach, consider hanging a small basket into which peppermint-soaked cotton balls are placed. With the basket elevated and close to the wasp nest, it should have the desired repellent effect.
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Wear Protective Clothing
You may have wondered how to safely spray peppermint oil without getting stung by wasps. Well, you’ll need protective clothing. You want to cover as much of your skin as possible.
Consider putting on gloves, with protective glasses.
Also, a scarf, a hoodie, or hat should serve as head covering. Have on a long-sleeved shirt too. The scarf should cover the lower half of your face like a mast while another covers your head.
Safety Precaution
When using peppermint oil for wasp treatment, ensure it doesn’t come in contact with your eyes. Also, wash off your skin when it comes in contact with it as it may cause skin irritation.
When it comes to contact with the eyes, rinse thoroughly and consult a physician for further treatment.
Using peppermint oil, you can deal with a wasp problem by spraying around their nests. They’re repelled by its smell. You’ll need repeated treatments until there’s a clear improvement.