Yes, you can spray a diluted peppermint oil and water mixture on your bed linens and mattress for pest deterrence and a fresh scent, but it's a temporary fix for pests like bed bugs, not a cure for infestations, and you should avoid spraying near eyes or face, especially for children. Mix 10-40 drops of oil with water in a spray bottle, adding a touch of soap to help it mix, and spray mattress seams, bed frames, and linens, but reapply often as the scent fades quickly.
A simple, fresh blend of peppermint and lavender essential oils are diluted in water to create a simple spray you can use to spruce up your sheets and blankets and pillows, or maybe even the inside of your car if it's starting to smell like feet and winter and dog. Easy peasy, peppermint squeezey.
Peppermint has anti-inflammatory properties that can help open up your airways. For people with sleep issues caused by nasal congestion, using peppermint oil in a diffuser or applying it to your chest may help reduce snoring and improve airflow.
Peppermint oil can repel and may also kill bed bugs if the oil is sprayed directly on the bugs. In other words, peppermint oil is a natural bed bug contact insecticide, but as time goes by items previously sprayed with peppermint oil do not impact the bed bugs.
To make your own bug spray simply mix 20 drops of purification with 10 drops peppermint into a spray bottle with a table spoon of witch hazel, then fill the rest of the bottle with water.
Rubbing alcohol is often used as a DIY method for bed bug control because it can kill bed bugs on contact. To use it for bed bug removal, spray it directly onto visible bed bugs or infested areas, but be aware of its flammability and quick evaporation.
Peppermint oil typically repels bugs for 2–3 hours after application, but its effectiveness fades as the scent dissipates. For lasting results indoors, it helps to reapply every few days or weekly, depending on pest levels and area treated.
Make a spray
Try mixing a few drops of peppermint oil with hot water in a spray bottle. A good ratio is 5 to 10 drops of essential oil per ounce of water. Use the mixture to spray down countertops, furniture, curtains, blinds and hard-to-reach areas of the home where insects are often present.
Peppermint oil can not only help your home sparkle, but leave it smelling fresh. Use a diffuser to fill your home with peppermint's clear aroma, or try one of the methods below: Add 20 drops of peppermint essential oil to a spray bottle of water and use it to mist rooms, leaving its clean, energising scent in its wake.
Peppermint oil repels a wide variety of common pests, including mosquitoes, ants, spiders, roaches, flies, fleas, moths, and beetles, along with some garden pests like aphids and whiteflies, and even small rodents like mice, due to its strong menthol scent that disrupts their senses. It works best as a deterrent in a spray or diffuser around entry points, but its effectiveness is temporary, requiring frequent reapplication, especially outdoors, says The Spruce and Pestco Professional Services.
Inhaling peppermint oil can result in irritation of the nose and throat, cough, and shortness of breath from the menthol. If you become symptomatic after inhaling peppermint oil, leave the area and breathe fresh air. If symptoms persist, you may need to seek medical care.
Topical application of diluted peppermint oil can offer a soothing sensation that aids relaxation before sleep. Gently massage a few drops of peppermint oil, properly diluted with a carrier oil like jojoba or almond oil, onto your temples and the back of your neck.
It happens rarely, but some people may have a serious side effect when taking peppermint oil. Stop taking peppermint oil and call your doctor or call 111 straight away if you: have an itchy and widespread skin rash. have a slow heartbeat (bradycardia) – you may feel very tired or lightheaded.
The menthol in peppermint works as a decongestant, shrinking swollen membranes in the nose and making it easier to breathe, and also helps loosen mucus that has collected in the lungs. Peppermint may also help prevent sickness from coming on in the first place.
Spray lightly on your pillow and sheets before bed for a calming scent. Dilute a few drops of essential oil with a carrier oil (like coconut or jojoba) and apply to your wrists, neck, and temples for a soothing nighttime ritual.
Use natural oils like peppermint or tea tree oil as topical repellents, but reapply regularly for effectiveness. Over-the-counter repellents containing DEET or picaridin can help deter bed bugs on exposed skin. Conduct patch tests before widespread use to check for skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Combine water and peppermint oil in a spray bottle. Shake bottle before use and spray the solution around entry spots such as windowsills and door frames, or places where insects may hide. The strong odor acts as a repellent.
Cautions with other medicines
These include: antacids like Gaviscon (alginic acid) or Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole or lansoprazole. H2 blockers such as nizatidine or famotidine.
Peppermint Essential Oil
If you've been on your feet all day, using peppermint oil can help to reduce tension and swelling, while also energizing the body. You should never apply raw oils directly to the skin, so keep reading to learn how to apply essential oils to your feet in a variety of different ways.
Spiders do not like peppermint, and because they “taste” with their legs, it is an easy way to keep them away. Make a mixture of 1-1/2 cups water, 1/2 cup of white vinegar, and 20 drops of peppermint oil. Spray this concoction on windowsills, entryways, and where you find spiders.
Certain essential oils give off aromatic compounds that bedbugs dislike:
To prevent nighttime bites, use insect repellent with DEET or picaridin, cover exposed skin, use mosquito nets, eliminate standing water, and try natural repellents like citronella. To keep mosquitoes out of the bedroom, clean regularly, install window screens, and spray essential oils.
Large doses of menthol, a key ingredient in peppermint oil, can be poisonous. This can lead to serious side effects, including seizures, slow heartbeat, and irregular breathing.
Leave it on
Once you've massaged the peppermint oil fully into your scalp, allow it to sit for at-least another five minutes before rinsing. To really activate your hair follicles and encourage healthy hair, let the peppermint oil work anywhere from an hour to overnight.
The smell of peppermint oil disturbs mice and can help temporarily keep them away. Mice rely heavily on their keen sense of smell, and the strong scent of peppermint can be irritating and overwhelming to them. Although peppermint oil can deter mice momentarily, it doesn't guarantee their removal.