If you've ever known Vicks VapoRub as grandma's go-to weapon for colds and stuffy noses, get ready for a revelation that will turn your household life upside down. This legendary blue ointment, with its childhood-y eucalyptus scent, is not only a faithful helper during the cold season, but - believe it or not - also an unexpected superhero against anything that crawls, flies or scurries across the floor.
The internet has been laughing for a while now at the news that Vicks VapoRub successfully repels annoying mosquitoes, house ants, night bugs cockroaches and even mice. While entomologists would probably turn a blind eye (or write a letter to the editor), thousands of users swear that Vicks VapoRub really works. And let's face it - if something can repel mice and relieve a cold at the same time, it deserves at least a chance. Maybe not a Nobel Prize, but certainly a place of honor next to garlic and apple cider vinegar in the "grandma knows best" handbook.
So, how exactly is it supposed to work? Simple – the strong scent of menthol, eucalyptus, and camphor is enough for most animals (and quite a few people) to turn the other way.
The famous Vicks VapoRub: 7 unusual ways to use it
1. Mosquitoes
Why it works: The smell of menthol is more annoying to them than a mosquito is to you at three in the morning.
How to use: Apply it to your wrists, ankles, neck, or behind your ears when you go out. At home, just leave the jar open near your bed – like a night guard, only more fragrant.
2. Ants
Why it works: They hate strong smells. They obviously have more refined tastes than we do.
How to use: Grease window sills, thresholds and any ant highways. Effect: the army turns and the anthill commander cancels the mission.
3. Flies
Why it works: To them, it's like someone turning on death metal in a yoga room.
How to use: Place an open pot near the trash can or the kitchen table - that is, where they like to hold their gourmet parties.
4. Spiders
Why it works: Strong odors confuse their sensory whiskers. Yes, spiders have feelings too – but not towards Vicks.
How to use: Grease the corners, windowsills, and cabinets. Because the last thing you want is a spider waving its eight legs at you from the bathroom.
5. Mice and rats
Why it works: Their noses can detect Vicks light years away – and they prefer to avoid it. Some claim they would turn around even before they got home.
How to use: Lubricate potential entrances – along the edge of the floor, in the pantry, next to pipes. If you see a mouse rubbing its nose, then you are doing something wrong.
6. Cockroaches
Why it works: Camphor and menthol repel them faster than you do when you see a cockroach in the bathroom at midnight.
How to use: Spread it under the sink, along the baseboards, in the corners. The hiding places will become… well, empty.
7. Fruit flies
Why it works: They cover the smell of fruit and leftovers, which means - the end of the little wine-fruit festival in your kitchen.
How to use: Place the pot next to a fruit basket or trash can. And watch as VIP flies miraculously turn into “no shows.”
Mini warnings so you don't say you didn't know:
- Don't expect miracles: This isn't Hogwarts magic - it's a deterrent, not a RAID destroyer. If you have an infestation in your house, call the pros. And don't be ashamed to not have Vicks in your bag.
- Children and pets: Vicks is not for eating. Period. No matter what your dog says.
- The effect fades: The scent fades over time, so it will need to be renewed from time to time. Every victory requires a little effort.
Conclusion: An ointment that deserves more than just a place under your nose
Vicks VapoRub is one of those products we all have at home, but we only use it for one purpose. Now you know that it's actually a multi-tasking hero that will not only make your breathing easier, but also repel anything with more than four legs - or none at all, but still able to fly.
So, the next time you see an ant, a mouse, or a mosquito – don't reach for a racket, but rather a can of Vicks. Who would have thought that one day you'd be defending your fortress with menthol?
Want another trick for naturally repelling uninvited guests? Just kidding!
