Living out in the country, you have to take
precautions to prevent critters (mice, spiders, bugs, and scorpions) from
coming inside your home, crawl space, and garage/workshop; especially when it’s
extremely hot outside, cold (snowy), or wet (from rain). Let me introduce one of the essential oils I
use to help in the prevention of critter entry into my home. Granted, this is just a small part of what
needs doing to keep pests out.
Because we have 4 legged fur balls in our home, I
personally use essential oils to prevent harming my animals whenever
possible. Let me introduce to you pure
peppermint essential oil. Twice a month (unless of course it rains, then I’ll
do it more often), I take pure peppermint oil and pour it across the thresholds
of every door. Then I gently use a paper
towel and spread it across the entire threshold and let it dry naturally. The scent is very appealing to my family in
and around my home, as for the 4 legged fur balls, they put their noses up in
the air (as if to say REALLY?)…..and that’s fine.
To date, I haven’t had an issue with critters coming
into my home through or under any of my doors or openings/cracks in our country
home.
Please note: this is just a small part of what needs
doing in your home to prevent unwanted critters. I also recommend making sure every hole, gap,
and crack, is filled in with some sort of filler (such as Great Stuff, steel
wool, wood putty, or Flex Seal). Get rid
of any food source around the outside of your home, and any piled up brush.
Have you used essential oils to deter unwanted
critters? If so, please share your
story.
That sounds like a good idea. I have to be really careful about what I use to clean floors, etc, because the ferrets are short legged and their bellies get on the floor. Can't have them picking up chemicals on their skin.
ReplyDeleteHarry,
DeleteWith having pets we always must be careful regarding their health. I always try to use none chemicals when cleaning.
Great information Sandy! I've used peppermint EO as a mosquito repellent (on humans) It's strong so we add a few drops to a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil. Definitely keeps 'squitos away!
ReplyDeleteLeigh,
DeleteThanks! I'll have to remember this mixture for mosquito repellent.
Sandy, Hubby uses it in his shop to help deter spiders. Put a few drops on a cotton ball & put in a plastic bowl by each roll up door (which don't seal well).
ReplyDeleteDFW,
DeleteI know exactly what you're talking about with shops that have roll up doors which don't seal. The mint oil will also deter mice!!!
I am a great proponent for peppermint oil! It has been the only thing that keeps mice from using my kitchen drawers for condos. I have not used it across entryways, but I am about to - you are a wealth of information!
ReplyDeleteSusan,
DeleteWhen living out in the country mice are a royal pain in the butt. There's one mouse who lives under our front porch. I'm determined to mint this baby out of here :-)
hey sandy...thanks for the info. we have not tried it, but now you got me thinking. we get lots of spiders on our porch, so much that we look like the adams family...lol I kind of like having them because they trap flies and mosquitos, but on the other hand I don't like them making their homes around our doorways... Much love to ya Girlie! JUGM
ReplyDeleteSenior and Glock Mom,
DeleteYou love using the oils to deter critters. Now I'm all for allowing spiders on the porch because they do eat all kinds of bugs.....however, I hate spiders. Some spiders are real poisonous, and we don't need them to close to our doors. Like the spider I will be posting on my next post.
Love y'all :-)
Sandy