When it comes to keeping your home free from pests, many people turn to chemical sprays or professional services. But did you know that a simple mentholated ointment commonly found in your medicine cabinet can do wonders as a natural pest repellent?
This ointment, originally intended for relieving coughs and muscle aches, contains powerful ingredients like menthol, camphor, eucalyptus oil, and cedar leaf oil—scents that a wide variety of pests can’t stand. Below, you’ll discover how to use this ointment in 13 clever and effective ways to naturally repel common household invaders.
1. Keep Mosquitoes Away
Rub a small amount of the mentholated ointment on exposed skin such as your ankles, wrists, neck, and behind your ears. The strong scent of menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus oil helps repel mosquitoes effectively.
Additional tip: Leave open jars of the ointment near windows, doors, or under your bed to create a mosquito-free zone indoors.
2. Repel House Flies
To get rid of annoying house flies:
- Smear the ointment on small cloth strips or paper pieces and place them near trash cans, sinks, or food prep areas.
- Leave open containers with a small amount of the ointment in fly-prone areas.
- Mix a small amount of ointment with warm water in a bowl and place it in the room. The evaporating menthol can help drive flies away.
3. Block Ant Trails
Find the cracks, windows, or door frames where ants are entering your home. Use a cotton swab or your finger to apply a small amount of ointment directly to these entry points.
For best results:
- Apply around the base of trash bins.
- Rub along kitchen countertops or near food storage areas.
- Disrupt active ant trails with a thin layer of the ointment to confuse and repel them.
4. Deter Spiders
Spiders dislike the strong scent of menthol and eucalyptus. Rub the ointment around window edges, baseboards, and doorways.
If you find spider webs, apply the ointment nearby to discourage them from returning.
5. Keep Cockroaches Away
Apply the mentholated ointment:
- Around the base of pantry shelves and food containers (never directly on food).
- Near pet bowls and trash cans.
- Along cockroach trails to interrupt their scent paths and stop others from following.
6. Repel Mice and Rats
Rodents strongly dislike the smell of menthol and eucalyptus.
Try this:
- Soak cotton balls or yarn in the ointment and place them behind appliances, near baseboards, in cabinets, or around food storage zones.
- Refresh these placements regularly to keep rodents away from nesting areas.
7. Protect Against Gnats
This ointment contains cedar leaf oil, a natural repellent for gnats.
To use:
- Dab small amounts on your ankles, neck, wrists, and knees.
- It also soothes itchy bug bites if you’ve already been bitten.
8. Prevent Bed Bugs
Apply the ointment to:
- The seams and corners of mattresses.
- Cracks and crevices around the bed frame and headboard.
- The perimeter of your bed legs and under the bed.
This creates a scent barrier that bed bugs struggle to cross.
9. Eliminate Silverfish
Bathrooms are a hot spot for silverfish due to moisture.
Try this spray:
- Mix 1 teaspoon of the ointment with 1 liter of hot water.
- Pour into a spray bottle.
- Lightly spray around sinks, under tubs, behind toilets, and inside cabinets.
10. Stop Moth Infestations
To prevent moths from laying eggs in your closet or drawers:
- Rub small amounts of the ointment on cotton balls.
- Place the cotton balls in closets, drawers, and storage boxes.
- Refresh the cotton balls every couple of weeks to maintain effectiveness.
11. Protect Against Beetles
Beetles can sneak in through windows and doors. Apply the ointment around:
- Windowsills
- Door frames
- Cracks and crevices in the walls
Repeat weekly for continuous protection.
12. Keep Earwigs Out of the Garden
To protect your plants:
- Rub the ointment on the stems of plants.
- Apply it to wooden stakes in flower beds or around garden borders.
- The strong scent keeps earwigs away from your garden naturally.
13. Repel Wasps
Prevent wasps from nesting near your home by applying the ointment:
- On porch railings, outdoor furniture, or under eaves.
- Around windows and entrances.
- Reapply after rain or cleaning to maintain the barrier.
14. Deter Fleas Indoors
While you should never apply this ointment directly to your pets, you can:
- Rub small amounts onto their collars (not on the skin).
- Dab it onto corners of pet bedding or nearby rugs.
- Maintain cleanliness and vacuum regularly to enhance flea control.
Precautions and Safety Tips
While this multipurpose ointment is generally safe for topical use, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions:
- Do not ingest or apply to broken or irritated skin.
- Avoid eye contact and other sensitive areas.
- Not recommended for children under 2 without medical guidance.
- Keep out of reach of pets and always wash hands after use.
This humble mentholated ointment is more than just a remedy for colds and aches—it’s a surprisingly effective tool in your natural pest control arsenal. With consistent use and a bit of strategic placement, you can protect your home from dozens of pests without harsh chemicals or expensive treatments.
A little goes a long way—so stock up, stay safe, and keep those bugs and rodents out the natural way.Inspired by this? Share the article with your friends!