Peppermint Oil Spray For Spiders

[katali]

I've heard that a peppermint oil works as a deterrent to spiders, and really want to use it in my greenhouse, as it's full of them, but where I read it also said about it deterring mice, so I'm worried it might upset the guinea pigs as well? Anyone know? It wouldn't be sprayed on the guinea pigs, just around the greenhouse, but that's where their undercover run will be.

 

[Elwickcavies]

I've not had experience with Peppermint oil, but I would have thought that if it is a strong enough smell to deter mice, then it may well affect pigs too. How often would you spray and how frequently? If it is pretty infrequent you could do it when the pigs won't be there for a while. Hopefully somone will have better advice.

 

[Katherine]

I used peppermint oil to try and deter ants that were coming in round the window frame in our dining room (get this problem every year) and I must say, it was rather effective. The ants went absolutely beserk at the smell of the oil, only problem was, they went the wrong way - not outside, but swarming further in!

Our guineas live in the lounge, which adjoins the dining room, sort of open plan, but not quite. One reason why I wanted to use peppermint oil rather than any ant spray / powder was thinking it would be harmless for the guinea pigs. I don't have anything to back that up, it was just what I thought, based on the fact that the peppermint lives in the kitchen cupboard, and not the garden shed. Also, I didn't actually spray it around, I just put a few drops on a kitchen towel, and put it on the windowsill. The guineas' cages would be about 20 feet away from there, maybe.

Personally, I wouldn't spray anything into the air where the guinea pigs are, as I imagine it would irritate their airways, even if it wasn't actually harmful as such. Better safe than sorry.

 

[GPTV]

I didn't know about peppermint oil deterring spiders, I would assume it can't do guineas too much harm as they can eat mint &its in my Burgess excel,allegedly to aid digestion.
But I'm no expert &I guess its all according what else is added to the oil,that may be harmful or irritating to guineas.

However I have had a reasonable success rate with placing horse chestnut conKers on my bedroom window sill OUT OF REACH OF GUINEAS-NOT TO BE EATEN. Just make sure there is a hole or split in the casing of the conKer to let the aroma come out. Ive not noticed any smell to them myself but spiders hate it apparently.
But again I'm not sure if guineas
would be affected.

Think I would try putting a few drops of mint oil on a cloth away from the cage for about 30mins & see if it has any effect. It can easily be removed if they dont like the smell&no cleaning up involved
Xx

 

[sport_billy]

I will be deploying Ordinance from the air to deal with spiders this year

On a serious note I have read it can upset rodents so would not use it round piggies just in case, I can't see it working anyway to be honest... I just use a Tupperware and a magazine to catch them and I do have a serious fear of them but Rach is just as bad so have got better over the years.

A friend used Conkers last years and the spiders just ignored them she was well annoyed...

 

[katali]

Lol, I'm not sure it ever stops! Just now you get the big ones in the house. Maybe they're running away from all the conkers? Oir greenhouse and dining room window appear to have a false widow infestation, I counted 11 on our small window, let alone the millions hiding in the nooks and crannies of the greenhouse glazing!