Even a short maintenance lapse can result in dealing with various pests. Over the past year, I dealt with several types of pests in our new home.
Being the mother of two young kids, I did not want to use chemical pesticides except as a last resort. The bright side is that there are many ways to repel pests naturally, and I was surprised by their simplicity and effectiveness.
Eucalyptus is one of the most versatile natural pest-deterrents, repelling an impressive variety of common pests. It’s also straightforward, providing multiple options for keeping pests away.
The Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) has a penetrating scent that many animals find highly repulsive, keeping them as far away from it as possible.
Eucalyptus can effectively repel various common pests, from rodents such as rats and mice to insects such as roaches, mosquitos, flies, bees, spiders, and more.
Let’s learn how the oil of Lemon Eucalyptus repels pests, the types of pests it deters, and effective ways to use OLE to repel different pests.
How Eucalyptus Repels Insects
Oil extracted from the leaves of the Lemon Eucalyptus plant, native to Australia, has a distinctively strong aroma. This sharp scent has proven insect-repelling effects, with CDC recommending its use against mosquitos.
Fresh Eucalyptus leaves contain PMD (para-menthane 3, 8 diols), the compound behind Eucalyptus oil’s bug-deterring prowess. PMD provides adequate protection from many insects for hours.
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) vs. Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Do not confuse the “oil of lemon eucalyptus” or OLE with “lemon eucalyptus essential oil.” Although their names are similar, the latter is much less effective against insects.
The Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus is extracted from fresh lemon eucalyptus leaves and further enriched with active PMD, giving OLE exceptional insect-repelling abilities.
On the other hand, the Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil mainly contains chemical compounds commonly found in essential oils, such as citronellal. Therefore, choosing OLE instead of Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil is vital to keep pests away.
Pests Repelled by Eucalyptus
The Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus can effectively repel a diverse range of common insects. As a result, it’s one of the most popular natural repellants out there.
Additionally, many commercial bug repellants use PMD. Here is a list of pests Eucalyptus effectively deters:
- Ants
- Aphids
- Bed Bugs
- Bees
- Cockroaches
- Dust Mites
- Earwigs
- Fleas
- Flies
- Gnats
- Lice
- Mice
- Mites
- Mosquitos
- Moths
- Rats
- Silverfish
- Spiders
- Termites
- Ticks
- Wasps
- Whiteflies
In addition to repelling all the pests mentioned above, the oil of Lemon Eucalyptus will kill aphids, bedbugs (and their eggs), earwigs, flies, and mites if they come into direct contact with it.
How To Use Eucalyptus To Repel Pests
I found many ways to use Lemon Eucalyptus oil to repel pests effectively.
It’s essential to choose the method according to the type of pest that needs to be kept away since different ways are more or less effective against different pests.
Homemade Sprays
Diluting the oil of Lemon Eucalyptus in water and creating a DIY bug spray is one of the best ways to repel common pests such as ants, roaches, mites, fleas, ticks, termites, and more.
Combine a quarter of a teaspoon of OLE for each cup of water to create a homemade, natural pest-repellant spray.
Using a Diffuser
A diffuser can efficiently spread the sharp aroma of Eucalyptus to repel pests, especially flying pests such as bees, fleas, flies, and mosquitos.
Wiping
Add a few drops of OLE to a tablecloth and thoroughly wipe countertops, cupboards, furniture, and other surfaces frequented by pests such as cockroaches, rats, ants, and spiders.
Cotton Balls
Strategically placing cotton balls soaked in the oil of Lemon Eucalyptus is a great way to drive away rodents, spiders, and roaches.
This is an excellent method to spread the effects of Eucalyptus into nooks and corners that are difficult to get to.
Alongside Washing Powder
Add a few teaspoons of oil of Eucalyptus when washing material infested by lice, bedbugs, and roaches.
I sometimes use this method before storing seasonal clothes to keep insects away from them.
The topical application of OLE is not advised on children under three years of age and pets, especially cats.
Common side effects of the oil of Lemon Eucalyptus include eye, skin, and mucous irritations, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, muscle weakness, stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Inhaling or ingesting large amounts of Eucalyptus can cause seizures and coma.
As a result, new users should do a simple patch test and handle OLE with caution, especially around children and pets.
Summary
Eucalyptus was a lifesaver when dealing with various indoor and outdoor pests. Furthermore, its efficacy against many pests meant I didn’t have to shop for multiple repellants targeted at specific pests, especially ones with chemicals.
Over the past year, I successfully used the oil of Lemon Eucalyptus to repel all kinds of pests, including roaches, mice, mosquitos, flies, bees and wasps, and ticks, and it will be my go-to weapon against most other pests in the future as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eucalyptus a Good Repellent?
The Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, not to be mistaken with the Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil, is one of the most versatile natural insect repellents.
Its effects have been proven time and time again, pinpointing para-menthane 3, 8 diols (PMD) it contains as the substance behind its insect-deterring qualities.
When Should You Not Use Eucalyptus?
The topical application of Eucalyptus is not recommended for kids below three years of age and pets.
Additionally, it can cause side effects such as skin, eye, and mucous irritations, nausea, drowsiness, vomiting, stomach problems, and difficulty breathing in some people who are advised against using it.
Do Rodents Like Eucalyptus?
Rodents do not like the sharp scent of Eucalyptus. As a result, DIY sprays containing the oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or cotton balls soaked in it can effectively keep rodents away from households.
What Animals Does Eucalyptus Repel?
The oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), which comes from fresh Eucalyptus leaves, is rich in para-menthane 3, 8 diols (PMD), a substance proven to be highly effective in repelling a large variety of pests.
Some pests OLE repels include rats and mice, cockroaches, spiders, mosquitos, fleas, flies, moths, ticks, bedbugs, and bees.
