Can Tea Tree Oil Be Used to Get Rid Of Flies?

I need to get rid of flies around our porch, and someone told me about tea tree oil helping.

Editors Reply:

Good Question. I have had several nursery and horticulture companies call me to find high quality tea tree oil to use as an additive to insect repellent that they were making for use around their greenhouses.

They told me that they were mixing the tea tree oil to make a solution with 5% or 10% tea tree oil and insecticidal soap.

You can make a homemade version of the same thing and perhaps it will help. It should be safe to use to help get rid of aphids or gnats from your bushes as well.

Go to the pharmacy or your local animal feed store and pick up some green soap. If they don't have that, get Sal Suds from Dr Bronners.

Mix a tablespoon of the soap, a teaspoon of tea tree oil, and a tablespoon of either rubbing alcohol or vodka into a one quart spray bottle. stir it around, and then fill to the top with water.

For added insect chasing ability, try adding Neem Oil as well. It is being used in some of the organic vegetable bug sprays marketed in some garden centers.

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