Peppermint oil is a great pest repellent and is generally known as a weed controller. However, some herbicides are effective on certain species of weeds while others may not.
Knowing which category peppermint oil falls under and if it is safe to use on grass will guide you better when using peppermint oil or products containing peppermint oil in your garden or lawn.
Therefore, let’s delve in to find out if Peppermint oil is safe for use on grass.
Peppermint oil is not safe for grass when used in excess quantities. It is mainly due to the high concentration of essential oil, which produces a toxic and harmful effect on weeds. Peppermint oil, when diluted properly, has a reduced harmful effect and can be successfully sprayed on plants and grass.
Is it Safe to Apply Peppermint Oil on Grass?
In excess quantities, peppermint oil is quite harmful to grass. Peppermint oil is a natural weed killer. Including clove oil and vinegar.
Peppermint is also a great pest repellent. The scent is toxic to rodents and insects. Peppermint’s toxic smell confuses insects such as Aphids by masking the smell of pheromones.
It has the same effect on Flea beetles, Squash bugs, cabbage loopers, and white flies. Peppermint oil is a cheaper and less toxic alternative to expensive chemical bug repellents.
You can even make them on your own. A safer but less effective option for peppermint oil is vinegar.
Vinegar doesn’t kill the roots of established grass; it may only burn the blades. Although, seedlings less than two weeks old will die.
Vinegar is, therefore, a much safer alternative compared to peppermint oil. What vinegar does is rupture the cell membrane of the weed or grass.
As the water slowly evaporates, the areas on the plant applied with vinegar begin to die off.
Vinegar solely affects the leaves and blades of plants. It becomes ineffective when it flows down to the roots and deep in the soil.
It is a good thing and can also be quite disturbing. It may not be the most potent form if you intend to use vinegar as a herbicide. Peppermint oil is far better.
However, vinegar is a great preventive measure you can effectively use if you wish to eliminate week-old grass seedlings or young sprouts to avoid grass overgrowth on your lawn or garden.
Grass and grass seedlings still tend to grow back after spraying vinegar on them. Although this may take some weeks after the chemical’s effect has worn off.
Broad-leaved grasses are most susceptible to dying back to the ground. But, since the plant’s roots were not affected, it will spring back up after a couple of weeks or a month at best.
It is important to note that vinegar does not kill grasses permanently. It only discolors the leaf blades and destroys budding young sprouts and grass seedlings.
Grass areas treated with vinegar usually begin to wilt within 24 hours. In excessive amounts, peppermint oil is not safe for grass.
It is an effective pest control when diluted properly. However, in higher concentrations, it can do damage to both crops and weeds.
Vinegar solution is less potent but quite effective in regulating grass overgrowth. If you want to maintain your lawn and counter the overgrowth of grasses, vinegar is preferable to peppermint oil.
How Often Should You Spray Peppermint Oil on Grass?
Spraying peppermint oil on grass should solely be for repelling insects. And it has to be properly diluted not to have harmful effects on the grass.
However, if you wish to use peppermint oil as a weed controller, you can apply it once every 14 days.
Ensure the peppermint oil concentration is high so it can be very effective. Usually, peppermint oil in gardens is for repelling insects.
The oil, or its solution, is sprayed on the leaves of crops to kill fungi and emit the essential oil’s natural odor that is toxic to insects like aphids and squash bugs.
For this procedure to be effective, the gardener must follow a strict schedule. Spray peppermint oil routinely, once every 5-7 days.
It is safe to spray around the crops and on the soil. You can also conduct a safety test before spraying peppermint oil, especially if you use peppermint oil in your garden for the first time.
Spray the solution on a few selected crops and grasses, then wait 48 hours to see the damage.
This test will help you verify the concentration of your peppermint oil solution to ensure it doesn’t harm your crops instead of protecting them.
Is it Safe to Spray Peppermint Oil Around the House?
Many people find peppermint’s strong smell irritating. Therefore, having it around the house can be quite uncomfortable. However, the oil itself is not harmful to humans or habitable surroundings.
Peppermint oil is great for the environment as It helps to repel insects and rodents such as mice, fleas, flies, roaches, etc.
Peppermint oil has successfully eradicated infestations within surroundings permanently. Peppermint oil is also safe for use inside the home and around pets and children.
The essential oil is proven to be medicinal and is a favorite ingredient in medicinal home first aid. Peppermint oil may be hazardous when sprayed incorrectly or without proper guidance.
Below is a detailed step on mixing and using peppermint oil before spraying it around the house.
- Fill a spray bottle with warm water. Pour a tablespoon of peppermint oil into the bottle. Leave at least a 2-inch space between the water line and the brim of the spray bottle. Tighten the bottle, then shake vigorously.
- It is best to spray peppermint areas where pest infestation is significantly disturbing around the house. Spray on windowsills and doorways.
- Proceeding outdoors, spray the solution on flowers, cracks underneath the foundation, and cover bushes.
- Reapply the peppermint solution at least once a month in this same sequence. When you experience long stretches of rain, it is best to continually reapply after rainfall and allow for about 5-7 days.
Below is a table of other essential oils that are equally as beneficial as peppermint oil:
| Oil | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Clove oil | Clove oil breaks down easily and is safe for the environment. It repels pests and kills fungi on leaves. However, clove oil in excessive quantities can kill plants. |
| Basil oil | Basil oil is an antifungal and pest repellent. It is safe to use on crops. |
| Lavender oil | Lavender oil is one of the best essential oils for crops. It stimulates pollination by attracting butterflies and other natural pollinators drawn to its scent. At the same time, it repels pests such as Aphids and bugs. |
Can you Spray Peppermint Oil on Tomato Plants?
Peppermint oil, when diluted properly, is not harmful to tomato plants. The solution may have a lingering scent on the fruits, but this quickly dissipates after a while.
Peppermint oil is beneficial to tomato plants when applied in the right amount and concentration.
It helps repel aphids, flea beetles, and whiteflies. Before spraying, shake the bottle containing your peppermint oil solution vigorously.
It will allow the essential oil to diffuse properly into the warm water. You can then begin to spray the peppermint oil solution on your tomatoes.
You do not need to be bothered about wearing protective clothing when spraying. Peppermint oil is not harmful to humans. Especially diluted solutions of peppermint oil.
How do you Spray your Yard with Peppermint Oil?
Correctly spraying peppermint oil will help enhance its effectiveness and reduce the irritability of its smell around the house.
Below are the steps you should follow.
#1. Step 1
Put one tablespoon into a spray bottle filled with warm water.
#2. Step 2
Ensure the spray bottle doesn’t fill to the brim. Leave about 2-inch spacing between the water level and the rim of the spray bottle.
#3. Step 3
Shake the spray bottle vigorously to ensure the essential oil diffuses thoroughly.
#4. Step 4
Start with the edges around the yard. Then proceed to flowers and grasses.
#5. Step 5
You should also spray peppermint oil inside cracks or crevices in the house foundation.
Spraying peppermint oil inside cracks and crevices ensures the smell gets into hiding places where pests mostly breed.
Conclusion
Peppermint oil in excess quantities is not safe for grass or crops. Properly diluted solutions, rather, are safe and usable.
Peppermint oil is more of a pest repellent. The solution must also be thoroughly diluted to repel pests properly and effectively.
Concentrated formulas can harm plants and fruits. Remember to always shake the peppermint solution thoroughly before spraying.