What does Vicks repel?

Author: Margarette Borer  |  Last update: Saturday, December 27, 2025

Repel Mosquitoes Mosquitoes don't like the scent of camphor oil and menthol, two of the key ingredients in the cough medicine. They're likely to try to stay away from you if you smear a small amount of Vicks on your wrists or ankles before heading outside.

What does Vicks get rid of?

A: Vicks VapoRub temporarily relieves cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation associated with the common cold. It can also be used to temporarily relieve minor aches and pains of muscles and joints.

What bugs hate the smell of Vicks?

Vicks VapoRub scents can repel bed bugs, and keep them from biting you. You can apply Vicks to your skin or Put a little bit of it on the bottom and inside seams of mattresses and nearby cracks. Also target any areas you found these annoying creatures crawl about at night!

What does putting Vicks on your feet do?

Vicks VapoRub works best when used on the chest. There's no evidence that it helps cold symptoms if you put it on your feet. But Vicks VapoRub on the bottom of your feet may help relieve mild muscle aches, neuropathic foot pain, and moisturize dry skin.

What else is Vicks VapoRub good for?

Off-Label Uses for Vicks VapoRub
  • Athlete's foot.
  • Toenail fungus.
  • Stretch marks.
  • Mosquito bites.
  • Rough skin.
  • Acne spots.
  • Headaches.

How to Get Rid of Pests with Vicks Vaporub - Bedbugs, Mosquitoes, Flies, Ants, Spiders, Mice, Rats..

What happens if you put Vicks on your eyelids?

When placed on the skin, camphor can be absorbed through mucous membranes or broken skin. This also can be toxic. That's why you should never put VapoRub in or around the nostrils — especially a small child's nostrils. And if VapoRub gets in the eyes, it can injure the clear outer layer, called the cornea.

What does Vicks VapoRub repel?

Repel Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes don't like the scent of camphor oil and menthol, two of the key ingredients in the cough medicine. They're likely to try to stay away from you if you smear a small amount of Vicks on your wrists or ankles before heading outside.

Will Vicks keep ants away?

Last week, we shared a tip from an anonymous Cheapster who discovered Vicks VapoRub – that smelly ointment meant to relieve cough symptoms – is also pretty good at keeping ants out of her house. That tip prompted a call from Lucy Tucker in Sellersville, who discovered yet one more use for Vicks.

What smell do mosquitoes hate the most?

Mosquitoes are turned off by several natural scents, including citronella, peppermint, cedar, catnip, patchouli, lemongrass, lavender and more. You can add some of these plants to your landscaping to fend them off.

Does Vicks keep spiders away?

Strangely, it does! The eucalyptus and menthol in Vicks VapoRub are also scents spiders hate. You can rub Vicks straight onto your chest, in the corners of your room, under your bed, and around your windows and doors to reap the benefits of unblocked airways and a spider-free zone.

What scent kills bed bugs instantly?

Blood Orange Oil

This essential oil is proven to be one of the most effective solutions when bed bugs are the matter as it can kill the pest successfully.

What does Vicks do to bed bugs?

While some people believe that the strong smell of VapoRub might repel bed bugs, there is no reliable data to support this claim.

Why does Vicks help with everything?

The menthol and camphor in VapoRub work as topical analgesics, which means they can relieve minor aches and pains of the musculoskeletal system through the skin. They've been used that way for hundreds of years, and the benefits are backed by some medical research.

How to knock out a cold fast?

The Do's and Don'ts of Easing Cold Symptoms
  1. Stay hydrated. ...
  2. Gargle with salt water. ...
  3. Over-the-counter medications : Over-the-counter decongestants, antihistamines and pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can reduce some cold symptoms. ...
  4. Humidify the air .

What smell do ants absolutely hate?

Household items like citrus fruits, black pepper, peppermint oil, cayenne, thyme, and lavender can create natural ant repellents. Great for avoiding pesticides or conventional ant traps! Mixing parts of these substances with water in a bottle and spraying the solution around the house can keep ants at bay.

Does Vicks repel ticks?

Vicks VapoRub - The smell of menthol and camphor in this ointment can effectively repel ticks when applied to skin, clothing, shoes and outdoor gear.

Will Vicks vapor rub repel mice?

Absolutely repels rodents, snakes and other crawley things.

Where not to put Vicks?

It contains camphor which is toxic if swallowed or absorbed into the body and the manufacturers do in fact warn that VapoRub should not be applied in or near the nostrils and not used on children under 2 years of age.

How do you use Vicks as insect repellent?

As well as being used to get rid of headaches, soothe achy muscles, and help to prevent cats from scratching the furniture, Vicks can also be used as a mosquito repellent! Apply a small amount of the product to your skin or clothes to deter the pests.

Why Vicks on feet with socks?

Advocates of this remedy suggest that applying Vicks to the feet allows the active ingredients to be absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly than if applied to other areas. Additionally, the warmth created by wearing socks may enhance the absorption process.

What happens when you put Vicks on your eyebrows?

What Can Vicks Vaporub Do For Eyebrows? Menthol is a compound known to clear pores of irritants so that hair can grow easily while eucalyptus and camphor are both essential oil that stimulate the hair follicles and improve circulation when applied topically.

Why put Vaseline on eyelids?

Vaseline can help with a number of dry eyelid conditions. People who notice that their skin is dry or irritated during the dry, cold winter months can use it to prevent moisture loss from the eyelids. Some people also use it as a moisturizer to reduce the risk of wrinkles, or as a supplement to traditional eye creams.

Is it okay to put Vicks in your ears?

Vicks VapoRub should not be used in the ear.

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