How to Use Tea Tree Oil as Insect Repellent

Tired of spraying so many chemicals to get rid of pests? Need something a little less intoxicating to you, your kids, your plants, and your pets? Tea tree oil is a great natural insect repellent. Best of all, it works on plants, pets, and people. You just have to know how to use it. With a mix of personal experience and research, here are some things I've learned about using tea tree oil as an insect repellent. For the best results, use pure organic tea tree oil.

Tea Tree Oil as an Insect Repellent on People
Spraying or rubbing chemicals onto yourself and the kids to avoid the critters can get irritating - literally and figuratively. Instead of spraying and rubbing chemicals into your skin, try using something a little more soothing. Tea tree oil is a great natural mosquito and insect repellent and it's even a great moisturizer, an eczema fighter, a fungus fighter, and so much more. Tea tree oil has been known to repel mosquitoes, lice, ants, and many other insects that bite. It also soothes insect bites and stings and helps in removal of ticks.

Making Tea Tree Oil Insect Repellent for the Skin
To make this simple solution, all you'll need is a large misting spray bottle, 2 oz of organic tea tree oil, and some water. Pour the 2 ounces of organic tea tree oil into the spray bottle and fill the rest with water. Mist the solution onto the skin and rub in. Reapply as needed.

Tea Tree Oil as an Insect Repellent on Plants
Tea tree oil also can repel insects in the garden. Be cautious when using tea tree oil on plants. It must be diluted with water and must not be sprayed directly on the plants. It can burn them. Instead, spray around the plants. To make tea tree oil insect repellent for the garden, mix the same solution as used on skin above.

Tea Tree Oil as an Insect Repellent on Pets
Like humans, insects can affect pets, as can their bites. Fleas also can be a problem for pets, especially those who venture outside or live in an outdoor environment. To protect your pets from insects and insect bites, prepare the tea tree oil spray solution used above for human skin. Spray this on the pet once or twice a day. Because tea tree oil is a fungus fighter, this can also help your pet smell fresh and clean.

Tea Tree Oil as a Household Insect Repellent
Tired of ants, cockroaches, or other insects inside your home? Tea tree oil also can help fight against household insects. Simply mix ¼ cup tea tree oil, ¼ cup vinegar, and 2 cups water together. Pour into a large spray bottle. Spray the tea tree oil spray solution into cupboards, on counters, and other surfaces and wipe clean. The tea tree oil repels the insects and the combination of vinegar and tea tree oil acts as a powerful disinfectant. Do this regularly to keep away ants, roaches, and other household insects.

Cautions About Tea Tree Oil
A bit of caution about tea tree oil is that some may experience an allergic reaction, which can consist of itching, dermatitis, dry patches, a rash, or other skin irritations. Start by testing in a very small area before applying tea tree oil to larger areas. Wait a day or so to see if any reaction occurs. As with any other natural essential oil, there always is the change of allergies. A rare, but serious occurrence from allergies is anaphylaxis. If you have had an allergic reaction to any essential oils in the past, it is best to avoid tea tree oil.

Also, tea tree oil should not be ingested. It can be poisonous.

* All information here is strictly for informational purposes. The author is not an herbalist or licensed medical professional. Please be safe and conduct your own research.