does tea tree oil repel birds

Once youve filled your hummingbird feeder with a batch of fresh nectar, it can be delightful to sit on your patio and watch these tiny birds enjoy a visit. Providing feeding stations for the hummingbirds is a wonderful way to help them stay hydrated and energized for busy activities such as fall migration or nesting season. One consequence of offering this delicious treat for the birds is that your feeder may attract a host of uninvited guests, however, such as wasps and hornets. The good news is that its easy to keep these pests away so that they dont interfere with any hummers who need a drink. Spray a light mist of diluted tea tree oil near the feeding station to keep the wasps away and leave the nectar for your feathery visitors.

The food that hummingbirds love to eat is a simple mixture of sugar and water, and this recipe is irresistible to all kinds of flying insects as well. Wasps and hornets have a sweet tooth and love to find any source of sugar. However, most flying insects dont care for tea tree oil because of its strong aroma. Using this oil as an insect repellent is a natural and humane way to deter these insects from coming too close, which is much better for your backyard than depending on toxic chemical sprays to accomplish this task.

Peppermint essential oil to control pests

Many pests don’t like the smell of mint, especially peppermint. Humans love the scent of peppermint oil, which also works well as a substitute for commercial pesticides. It works as a natural insecticide to ward off ants, beetles, flies, mosquitoes, and more. In addition, it deters raccoons, woodpeckers, and mice. Because they don’t have powerful lungs, birds dislike strong smells like peppermint oil.

Making a peppermint oil spray is a simple way to help deter and repel insects, rodents, birds, and wildlife.

Peppermint Oil Spray

In a tiny spray bottle, combine a few drops of peppermint essential oil with water. Shake well. The oil will tend to separate from the water. Always shake before applying. Spray the mixture wherever you’re having the pest problem.

If this doesn’t work, add more peppermint oil to the water until the ratio is 50/50. For instance, combine two tablespoons water and two tablespoons peppermint oil. Shake well and spray.

Peppermint Oil Cotton Balls

Put on a cotton ball at least five drops of peppermint oil. The stronger the scent the better. Put it in different areas of your house or place of business where pests are entering. This can help repel insects and rodents. It’s critical that the pests detect the scent of peppermint before entering the structure. The peppermint oil cotton balls should be changed at least once a month.

The peppermint cotton ball will cover up the rodents’ pheromone trail. The pheromone trail is what attracts other rodents. It shows them the pathways into your home or business.

Concentrated Peppermint Oil

Try applying strong peppermint oil where you observe woodpeckers pecking to attract them. They are pursuing the insects residing on your home or place of business. You will end up repelling the woodpecker and the insects.

In March of 2011, the Malaria Journal published a study that discovered peppermint oil offered mosquito repellent action when applied to exposed areas of the body. In addition, the study demonstrated larvicidal properties. Mosquito larvae where killed after exposure to pure peppermint oil and water for 24 hours.

PubMed, an online scientific journal, published an article discussing the effectiveness of menthol against mosquitoes in particular. The study demonstrated that menthol used as a natural alternative to synthetic chemicals like DEET can be effective for human protection against mosquitoes.

Citronella essential oil to control pests

Citronella repels mosquitoes, flies, fleas, ticks, and a lot of other pests. It is a non-toxic biopesticide (biochemical). It is registered with the EPA as an insect repellent/feeding depressant and as an animal repellent.

Citronella oil is safe and very popular. You can spray it in the air, burn it in a candle, or apply it to your skin. When applying to skin, combine a few drops of citronella with either sunflower or olive oil. A little goes a long way. If you can smell it, so can the bugs.

Citronella oil is on the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency’s list of minimum risk pesticides. Nonetheless, unless a doctor instructs otherwise, children younger than six months old shouldn’t be exposed to citronella oil. This information is listed on the product label.

Sitting on your patio and watching these tiny birds enjoy a visit can be a delightful experience once you’ve filled your hummingbird feeder with some fresh nectar. Hummingbird feeding stations are a great way to keep them hydrated and energetic during hectic times like the fall migration or nesting season. However, providing this delectable treat for the birds may result in your feeder drawing a number of unwanted visitors, including wasps and hornets. The good news is that it’s simple to keep these pests at bay so they don’t obstruct any hummers that are thirsty. To deter wasps from approaching the feeding station, lightly mist the area with diluted tea tree oil, leaving the nectar for your feathered guests.

A straightforward concoction of sugar and water is a favorite meal of hummingbirds, and various flying insects find it too tempting. Wasps and hornets enjoy finding any source of sugar because they have a sweet tooth. However, due to its potent scent, the majority of flying insects dislike tea tree oil. This oil works much better in your backyard than harmful chemical sprays to keep insects away. It is a humane and natural way to discourage these pests from getting too close.

The Melaleuca alternifolia tree yields tea tree oil, which has dual benefits as a natural fungicide and insect repellent. The area surrounding the hummingbird feeder should be lightly misted after adding a few drops of the oil to a spray bottle filled with water. By doing this, you’ll be keeping any hornets away from your plants and giving them a healthy defense against mildew. Try adding a few drops of essential oil to a tiny piece of cloth and hanging it close by to intensify the aroma. To keep the scent strong, reapply every few days and replace the cloth after it rains.

Don’t put undiluted tea tree oil in a feeder where it can contaminate the nectar by accidently combining with it. Applying it sparingly and dilutedly is preferable. The oil must be diluted greatly because hummingbirds may become poisoned by tea tree oil. When the summer ends and the fall arrives, and the flowers begin to fade and the wasps and hornets begin their active search for nectar, keep your spray bottle close at hand. It will be crucial to safeguard the hummingbirds’ food supply during these months as this is also when they will start their southward migration. You’ll be giving your hummingbirds a secure and healthy habitat where they can flourish by implementing these suggestions.

FAQ

Is tea tree oil safe around birds?

Warning. Bird owners should note that there are some essential oils that are never safe for their birds (or most animals in general), such as tea tree oil, as they can prove to be very toxic to small animals.

Is tea tree oil toxic to dogs?

Even though tea tree oil is very toxic to cats and dogs it can still be found in a variety of pet products. Claims that it repels fleas and ticks, cures allergies and soothes skin are very common. As little as 7 drops of 100% tea tree oil have been known to cause severe toxicity, and 10-20ml can easily cause death.

Will peppermint oil bother birds?

Are you wondering, “Can birds smell?” and “What smell deters birds?” Yes, some home remedies such as apple cider vinegar, peppermint, and chili pepper flakes may have a small repelling effect on birds. But nothing comes close to how birds hate the smell of the food grade ingredient, Methyl Anthranilate.

Can I use tea tree oil on myself around my dog?

Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are straight up toxic to pets. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin, used in diffusers or licked up in the case of a spill.