Natural Pest & Odor Control: 10 Easy Essential Oil Remedies for a Fresh, Clean Home
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Time to read 2 min
Let’s face it—pests, musty smells, and creepy crawlies aren’t exactly the vibe we want for our homes. But harsh chemical sprays? Also not the vibe. Enter: nature’s answer to home hygiene. With a few powerhouse essential oils and some everyday items, you can whip up a whole arsenal of non-toxic, DIY solutions that actually work. Think spiders, ticks, mice, and even lice... gone. Here are our favourite recipes:
1. Tick Be Gone Spray
YIELD: 1¼ cups
- ¼ cup witch hazel
- 1 cup distilled water
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 10 drops lemongrass essential oil
- 10 drops citronella essential oil
TO MAKE: Combine in a spray bottle. Shake well.
TO USE: Spray over hair, clothing, pant cuffs, and shoes. Reapply every few hours.
TO STORE: Indefinitely in a spray bottle.
2. Healthy Scalp Shampoo
YIELD: 1 application
- 1–2 drops tea tree essential oil
TO MAKE: Add drops to your usual shampoo portion in your palm. Lather and apply.
TO USE: Shampoo as normal. Rinse. Style.
VARIATION: Add 10–20 drops to a full 8 oz bottle of shampoo and shake to mix.
3. Lice Be Gone Treatment
YIELD: 1 application
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 20 drops tea tree essential oil
TO MAKE: Mix well in a bowl.
TO USE: Apply generously to scalp. Cover hair in plastic wrap for several hours. Comb out lice with a fine-tooth comb.
4. Spider Be Gone Spray
YIELD: 1 cup
- ½ cup distilled water
- ½ cup vinegar
- 20 drops peppermint essential oil
TO MAKE: Combine in a spray bottle and shake.
TO USE: Spray around windows, doors, and crevices.
5. Mice Be Gone
YIELD: 1 application
- 1 cotton ball
- 1–2 drops peppermint essential oil
TO MAKE: Saturate cotton ball with oil.
TO USE: Place where mice appear. Replace every few days.
6. Dust Mite Be Gone
YIELD: 1 cup
- 1 cup baking soda
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 10 drops tea tree essential oil
TO MAKE: Mix in a shaker jar.
TO USE: Sprinkle over bedding. Let sit a few hours. Vacuum thoroughly.
TIP: Use a mason jar with nail holes or a spice shaker for easy application.
7. On-the-Go Bed Purifier
YIELD: 1 cup
- 1 cup distilled water
- 20 drops cedarwood essential oil
TO MAKE: Combine in a spray bottle and shake well.
TO USE: Spray hotel linens or your sleeping space while traveling.
8. Outdoor Spray
YIELD: 1 cup
- ¾ cup distilled water
- ¼ cup witch hazel
- 10 drops tea tree essential oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 10 drops rosemary essential oil
TO MAKE: Shake together in spray bottle.
TO USE: Spray clothing before going outside. Reapply every 15–30 minutes.
9. Citronella Camping Spray
YIELD: 1 cup
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup witch hazel
- 10 drops tea tree essential oil
- 10 drops citronella essential oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
TO MAKE: Mix well in a spray bottle.
TO USE: Spray on exposed skin (avoid eyes/mouth). Reapply every 15–30 minutes.
10. Flying Insect Outdoor Spray
YIELD: ¾ cup
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 10 drops citronella essential oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
TO MAKE: Mix all ingredients in a measuring cup.
TO USE: Place a cotton cloth over the top of a Mason jar and secure with the metal ring. Pour the mixture in through the cloth. Set the jar anywhere you want to deter insects.
TO STORE: Cover with a lid to retain scent. Refresh every 30 days or when the scent fades.
With just a few natural ingredients and a handful of your favourite essential oils, you can refresh your home, repel pests, and reclaim your space—without a single chemical in sight. These DIY blends are proof that a green clean can still pack a punch.
A quick note for pet parents: Some essential oils can be harmful to furry friends, especially cats, so always do a little research and use caution in areas your pets frequent!
