If pesky bugs are driving you crazy and turning your life into a never-ending battle,😨 clove oil can definitely come to your rescue. It repels them (sometimes instantly!).
Clove oil has captivating aromatic qualities, which repel several bothersome bugs. These include:
- mosquitoes
- ants
- weevils
- moths
- flies
- fleas
- earwigs
- silverfish
- mites
- aphids.
So, let’s discover together the 10 bugs that clove oil repels and learn its secrets to keeping them at bay effortlessly.
What insects does clove oil repel? 10 Of The Most Common
Clove, a fragrant spice derived from the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, has a long history of culinary and medicinal uses.
Apart from being commonly used in cooking, it also possesses a unique property that makes it an exceptional insect repellent.
Clove oil, which is derived from the same buds, emits a potent odor that many pests find offensive. It effectively deters them from your living spaces or garden while adding a pleasant fragrance.
Here are the 10 bugs that clove oil repels.
1. Mosquitos
Mosquitoes and their irritating bites have the potential to transmit diseases. But clove oil has got your back!
A simple way to use clove oil as a repellent is to buy a quality essential oil diffuser and add 4 to 5 drops of clove oil to its reservoir. Then, fill the rest of it with water.
When the diffuser releases a mist of clove oil-infused water into the air, it fills the room with a strong and pungent scent of cloves. This aroma creates a barrier against nasty mosquitoes in your room or outdoor area.
2. Ants
Ants are pesky invaders that can disrupt your homes with their relentless search for food. In this battle against these tiny but tenacious intruders, clove oil emerges as your best companion!
Just take a spray bottle and add 10-15 drops of clove oil per cup of water to it. Now, shake it thoroughly and spray this solution along the ant entry points and any trails you’ve observed.
I also make sure that I maintain a clean kitchen and dining area so that ants are discouraged from surprise visits to my home!
3. Weevils
Weevils are notorious for infesting stored food products such as rice, wheat, flour, cereal, and beans. They contaminate them by laying their eggs there. But fear not! Clove oil is here to save the day.
So here’s the deal: Take small sachet bags and fill them with cotton balls that you will soak in clove oil. Now, place them in your pantry and wheat or flour sacks. After a week or so, replace the sachets so that the weevil-free zone keeps thriving!
4. Moths
Are you fed up with moths wreaking havoc on our clothing and pantry items? Don’t worry; clove oil is an eco-friendly weapon for this purpose.
For this, soak cloth strips or small pieces of fabric in clove oil. Allow them to absorb thoroughly, and then hang them in your closets, drawers, or pantry shelves and witness the magic!
5. Flies
A peaceful day can easily turn into a horrible nightmare, all thanks to the buzzing nuisances flies! Fortunately, clove oil proves to be the best bet in your defense.
Here’s your game plan: Take a mason jar or an old plastic container and fill it with water to cover the bottom. Now, add 10 to 15 drops of clove oil in it and put a lid or plastic wrap on top. Go ahead and poke some holes in the cover to create entry points for flies.
Now, all you have to do is to place the trap where food is prepared or served and watch as the flies are irresistibly drawn to the enticing scent of clove oil.
6. Fleas
Your pets don’t utter a word, but fleas are undoubtedly making their lives miserable.
To get them out of this misery, simply take a bowl and mix 9 to 10 drops of clove oil in ½ cup of water. Now, soak your pet’s collar in it and saturate it thoroughly. Then, lay it down on a paper cloth and allow it to dry completely. Finally, fasten it around your pet’s neck, and you’re good to go!
Hands down! This is by far the best natural and safe way to protect my furry friends from the terrors of fleas.
7. Earwigs
Earwigs are nocturnal bugs who wake up at night and destroy your garden. But you can always count on clove oil like I do!
I gather some cedarwood chips and place them in a bowl. Then, I pour a generous amount of clove oil on them and let them soak overnight. Finally, I spread them strategically around my outdoor planters and garden beds.
Over time, the scent may fade, so I always add more clove oil to ensure they continue to serve as a natural deterrent.
8. Silverfish
Elusive and unsettling creatures, Silverfish can damage paper, fabric, and even your expensive wallpaper. Fret not! You can now rely on my DIY clove oil repellent for better results!
Here’s the drill: Add the clove, citronella, and lemon eucalyptus essential oils in a small glass container and mix them with any carrier oil. A common dilution ratio is about 10-15 drops of each essential oil per ounce of your chosen carrier oil. Thoroughly blend them together and put the DIY mixture in a spray bottle.
Apply it to dark corners, closets, bookshelves, and any other areas where you see silverfish in your home.
9. Mites
Mites may be tiny, but they are far from innocent in the disruptions and discomfort they can bring.
To keep them at bay, add clove oil and isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle. Use about 10-15 drops of it per ounce of rubbing alcohol. Now, shake the bottle thoroughly, and it’s ready to fight mites.
Simply spray it on bedding, mattresses, upholstery, and any other spots where you suspect mite activity.
10. Aphids
Do you care about your garden a lot? If yes, then you need to protect your precious heaven. It’s not even that hard, as clove oil does most of the trick!
Just prepare a compost tea in a container by adding one part compost to five parts water and let it sit for a few days to develop a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer. When it is ready, add 5-10 drops of clove oil per gallon of compost tea.
You can use this clove oil-infused compost tea to fertilize your plants by watering them with it. This is how you can make sure it reaches the roots to keep awful aphids 1,000 miles away!