You can use essential oils if you want to get rid of ants and spiders in your kitchen, house, or plants.
Using essential oils for ants and spiders can be a good option for pest control instead of traditional harsh chemicals.
In this article, we will tell you more about:
- Can essential oils help to repel spiders and ants?
- Best Essential oils to repel ants and spiders
- Essential oils recipes for ants and spiders repellent
Can Essential Oils Help to Repel Ants and Spiders?
Essential oils have strong bug repelling properties, and their strong odor drives insects away. In addition, the powerful fragrance of the oils is safe and cleanses the entire household.
Unlike harsh chemicals and pesticides, essential oils aren’t killing ants and spiders. Instead, they will keep the ants and spiders away. Their fragrance and repelling properties keep the insects away.
One thing you must remember while using essential oils is that they keep ants and spiders away. They don’t always kill these insects. Some people assume that the essential oils aren’t working because of this.
The essential oils let the spiders live to kill other bugs while also keeping them out of your living space.
Essential oils are best for keeping your home smelling fresh and offer pest control which is green, non-toxic, and safe for everyone.
9 Best Essential Oils to Repel Ants and Spiders
Much scientific research has been conducted on essential oils for spiders and ants. The results of these experiments have been encouraging.
Many plants, spices, and herbs have demonstrated anti-insect and anti-mite properties. So the oils extracted from these herbs and plants are considered possible alternatives for toxic pesticides.
1. Lavender Oil
The solid floral fragrance of lavender oil repels spiders and eliminates ants. It is filled with anti-inflammatory, antiviral, bactericide, and sedative properties. It has been used for ages in Southern France to keep insects like scorpions away.
It is also a potent repellent. This oil contains many components that actively prevent ant larvae from hatching.
Spray this oil directly on the ants’ nests and on areas with spider cobwebs. It will help in ridding of ants and spiders for once and all. [2]
2. Neem Oil
Neem oil is very popular in India, and for thousands of years, it has been used as a natural pesticide. The tree discourages the growth of spiders and ants.
It doesn’t have a pleasant aroma, but it is undoubtedly the most effective essential oil for insects.
Neem oil can be extracted naturally by pressing the leaves. The juice extracted from the leaves is 100% pure. Spray daily or at least every other day to establish a spider-free area. Then, reapplying once a week should be enough to keep the spiders and ants away.
3. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint plays an essential role in dealing with ants. They even help in dealing with ant bites and ant trails. Peppermint has a compound menthol which is excellent for clearing ant trails and disinfecting your home.
Peppermint oil’s cooling and sedative properties also make it best for treating ant bites and stings.
Peppermint oil has a fantastic smell which supports alertness and mental clarity.
To use, place a few drops of cotton ball and wipe them on baseboards and other places where ants might enter. Repeat this until the ants are completely gone. [3]
READ NEXT: 12 Health Benefits of Peppermint Oil + (How to Use It)
4. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a great all-purpose oil to have around. Tea tree oil is native to Australia. The aboriginals have used tea tree oil to treat health and skin-related issues.
Tea tree oil contains terpinene and cineole, which are used in some insecticides. It is an effective oil for killing insects.
Tea tree oil has a robust antiseptic odor that drives away spiders. So spraying this oil can help you to get rid of ants and spiders.
Tea tree also has high antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. In addition, it can alleviate any insect bites and itch from those bites.
READ: 8 Ways to Use Tea Tree Oil for Keloids Naturally
5. Clove Oil
Clove Oil has a powerful pungent smell and helps a lot in overpowering pests. It is also acidic and contains a compound called eugenol, which is toxic to insects. Clove oil disrupts scent trails and kills ants on contact.
Clove oil works fast-acting contact insecticide on various pests like spiders, ants, cockroaches, dust mites, flies, wasps, crickets, and fleas.
Eugenol’s effectiveness fades quickly; hence it has no residual activity. On the other hand, the scent of clove lingers for a long time. Therefore, eugenol-based products have a shallow risk of damaging the environment and the user.
Clove oil is robust and works best when used with another oil.
6. Citrus Oil (Lemon or Orange Oil)
Citrus oils (Lemon or Orange Oil) contain d-limonene, which is toxic to ants and some other insects. Lemon oil makes an essential natural ant repellent, and it also kills ants.
Orange or lemon oil contains antiseptic and detoxing qualities, making these oils ideal for cleaning the house. Citrus oil also has a unique sweet fragrance that masks any leftover Pheromone scent trails.
7. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus is a popular essential oil because of its healing properties and energizing scent. It also has antiseptic properties, which are very useful in killing insects.
Eucalyptus oil possesses a repellent and toxicity effect which works great against spiders. It interferes with spiders and blocks the release of insect molting hormones.
Eucalyptus oil also works very well against ants. Spray a few drops of eucalyptus oil in areas where ants and spiders might be present to keep an insect-free environment.
Be careful while using eucalyptus oil. To apply on the skin, dilute the oil before using. For treating spider bites, apply diluted eucalyptus oil to the swollen area to get immediate relief from pain.
Keep eucalyptus oil away from children because of its high insecticide properties.
8. Basil Oil
Basil essential oil, also known as the “sweet basil oil”, has been used in medical practices since the 16th century in the Asian subcontinent.
Basil oil is a natural anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibiotic, and diuretic used to heal various wounds and infections. In addition, Basil oil can keep away all kinds of bugs, including Fire Ants, Bees, Wasps, and Mosquitoes. It is known to even work on Recluse or Brown Widow spiders.
If bitten by spiders, basil oil can be used to neutralize the venom.
9. Thyme Oil
One of the most potent antioxidants is thyme oil. Since ancient times, it has been used as a medicinal herb to treat skin from harmful bacteria, fungal infections, insect bites, and stings.
Thyme has antimicrobial repellent properties and insecticide qualities, making it one of the best essential oils for repelling spiders.
Thyme oil has been known to destroy all microorganisms living on lettuce leaves.
Carrying thyme oil while going on camping can treat bug bites and drive insects and spiders away.
10. Patchouli Oil
Patchouli oil has been considered a therapeutic herb for over 1000 years. It originated in the Philippines and now is grown across Southeast Asia, China, and India.
Patchouli oil treats fatigue, fever, indigestion, and headaches. Now over 40 bioactive components have been identified in patchouli oil, and it is noted to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-mutagenic, and stress-relieving properties.
Patchouli essential oil can stop insects. In a study conducted in 2013, patchouli essential oil was tested for its natural insecticide qualities against three different species of urban ants. The oil repels all three species with a mortality rate of 80%.
Adding a few drops of patchouli essential oil to water and spraying it on the skin and other insect infestation areas can help repel insects. [4]
11. Cedarwood Oil
Cedarwood essential oil has been used for years for its aromatic qualities in soaps, home diffusers, and perfumes.
Cedarwood also has a significant historical presence. For centuries, cedar wood was used in the ancient Middle East. As a result, it has a vital role in trade, culture, and religious practices.
Cedarwood essential oil consists of cedrol, which is sesquiterpene alcohol. Cedrol can eliminate insects, thus proving the cedarwood’s pest-controlling characteristics.
In a study conducted in 2014, cedar wood discouraged the presence of certain insect species. The study indicates that cedar wood is an excellent insect repellent. [5]
Essential Oil Recipies for Ant and Spider Repel
The oils are perfect if they are used independently, but some oils work even better when blended!
Here are four recipes for ant and spiders repellent.
Things you will need:
- Water
- Peppermint essential oil
- Tea tree essential oil
- Citrus essential oil
- Clove essential oil
- A spray bottle
Direction:
Take 1/4 cup purified water with 15 drops peppermint essential oil, tea tree essential oil, and 7 drops citrus essential oil in a small spray bottle and shake it. You can also add 1-3 drops of clove essential oil.
Spray this solution anywhere you have seen ants. For example, if you spray the solution on food surfaces, omit tea tree oil and add more than 15 drops of peppermint oil. Keep on repeating until they all are gone.
Things you will need:
- ½ cup of White Vinegar
- ½ cup of Distilled Water
- 20 drops of Peppermint oil
- A spray bottle
Direction:
Mix vinegar, water, and peppermint oil in a spray bottle. Spray it all over windows, ceilings, and other places where spiders might be, and watch spiders running away from your house!
Things you will need:
- 5-6 cotton balls
- ½ tsp of Peppermint oil and
- ½ tsp of Eucalyptus oil
Direction:
Soak the cotton ball in the mixture of oils. Place the soaked cotton balls all over the house, especially where spiders spin their webs. Replace the cotton balls with the oils every 3-4 months.
Things you will need:
- 10 drops of Lavender oil
- 10 drops of Tea tree oil
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1 jar
Direction:
Mix the essential oils with the baking soda in a jar. Sprinkle the mixture on your mattress. If possible, remove the mattress and sprinkle the mixture around the headboards and box springs; over the bedside furniture. Let it stay for 2-3 days.
Bottomline
Every insect and organism in nature has some role, but nobody wants these insects in their house. Essential oils to repel ants and spiders can be a useful remedy without any negative impact on the environment.
Essential oils will also provide significant benefits to your health. Taking the time to look into the benefits of essential oils is worth it. You can naturally turn your house into ants and spider-free zone without using harmful chemicals.
