The Bottom Line
Exterminators Choice Outdoor Pest Repellent Spray offers a solid plant-based alternative to harsh chemicals, working best as a preventive measure for keeping common pests away from patios and deck areas. While it requires more frequent reapplication than synthetic options, it's a smart choice for families prioritizing safety and eco-friendly pest control.
Product Overview
When you're looking to enjoy your outdoor spaces without dealing with unwanted pests, Exterminators Choice Outdoor Pest Repellent Spray positions itself as a family-friendly solution. This 32-ounce spray bottle contains a blend of essential oils including peppermint, rosemary, and cinnamon that's designed to create an invisible barrier against common outdoor pests like ants, spiders, roaches, and other crawling insects.
Priced around $19.99 on Amazon, the product comes ready-to-use with a standard spray trigger that covers approximately 1,000 square feet per bottle. What caught my attention initially was the promise of effective pest control without the harsh chemical smell or safety concerns that come with traditional synthetic repellents. The formula is marketed as safe for use around children, pets, and plants—a significant selling point for households looking to balance pest control with family safety.
What We Love
- Natural essential oil formula with peppermint and rosemary provides effective deterrence without exposing family and pets to harsh chemicals or toxic residues
- Excellent preventive capabilities when applied regularly to entry points, creating a scent barrier that discourages pests from settling in outdoor living areas
- Simple spray application requires no mixing, traps, or complex setup—just point, spray, and let the essential oils do their work
- Flexible usage control allows you to target specific problem areas like deck railings, shed corners, or patio furniture as often as needed
- Environmentally responsible formula won't harm beneficial insects, contaminate soil, or damage plants when used as directed
Room for Improvement
- Requires frequent reapplication especially in humid climates or after rain, with most users needing to spray every 3-5 days for consistent results
- Limited effectiveness against established infestations—works much better as prevention than as a solution for existing pest problems
- Strong essential oil scent from peppermint and cinnamon can be overwhelming for people sensitive to these fragrances, particularly in enclosed spaces
Real-World Performance
After testing this spray around my deck and patio area for several weeks, I found it performs best when you think of it as a scent-based deterrent rather than a pest killer. The peppermint oil creates a noticeably strong barrier that seems to genuinely discourage ants from their usual trails along my deck railing. I applied it every three days initially, focusing on the corners where my deck meets the house and around the outdoor furniture legs.
Standout Feature
The spray-and-go convenience really shines during routine patio maintenance. Unlike granular repellents or traps, you can quickly treat new problem spots as you notice them, making it perfect for reactive pest management during outdoor entertaining season.
The coverage is decent—one bottle treated my 12x16 deck twice with some left over for spot applications. However, I noticed the effectiveness definitely drops after heavy rain or during particularly humid weeks. The scent fades faster than I'd like, which explains why users in Florida and other high-humidity states report needing to reapply more frequently. For comparison, a synthetic spray I'd used previously lasted about twice as long between applications, though obviously with different safety considerations.
User Experience & Setup
There's virtually no learning curve with this product—it arrives ready to use with a quality spray trigger that produces an even mist. The application process is straightforward: shake the bottle, spray in a sweeping motion along surfaces where pests typically travel, and let it dry. I found the spray pattern covers about 2-3 feet effectively, so you don't need to be super precise with your technique.
"Setup was literally just opening the box and spraying. No mixing chemicals or reading complicated instructions. I had my entire patio treated in about 10 minutes, and the peppermint smell was actually pretty pleasant."
- Sarah from Texas
The biggest user experience consideration is managing the scent intensity. While many people enjoy the fresh peppermint aroma, it can be quite strong immediately after application. I learned to spray in the late afternoon so the scent could settle before evening patio use. The trigger mechanism works smoothly even after multiple uses, though I did need to clean the nozzle once when some residue built up after leaving it unused for a week.
Value Analysis
At roughly $20 for 32 ounces, Exterminators Choice falls into the middle price range for natural pest repellents. The cost per application depends heavily on your coverage area and reapplication frequency, but I calculated about $0.75-$1.00 per treatment for my deck. That adds up when you're spraying twice weekly during peak season, making it more expensive long-term than synthetic alternatives that might cost $12 but last longer between applications.
💡 Compared to Similar Products: Against Wondercide Outdoor Pest Control ($24 for 32oz), this offers similar performance at a lower price point. Compared to Ortho Home Defense ($15), you'll pay more but gain family and environmental safety benefits.
The value equation really depends on your priorities. If you're primarily concerned with cost-effectiveness and don't mind synthetic chemicals, cheaper options exist. However, if you're paying for organic lawn care or buying natural household cleaners anyway, this fits well into that lifestyle investment. The peace of mind factor of letting kids and pets play immediately in treated areas has real value that's hard to quantify in dollars.
Who Should Buy This?
This spray works best for homeowners who prioritize natural solutions and are dealing with preventive pest control rather than major infestations. It's particularly well-suited for people who regularly maintain their outdoor spaces and don't mind incorporating frequent reapplication into their routine. The safety profile makes it ideal for families with young children who play on decks and patios, or pet owners concerned about chemical exposure.
Perfect For:
- Families with young children or pets who need safe pest control around play areas and frequently-used outdoor spaces
- Preventive maintenance enthusiasts who prefer to stop pest problems before they start rather than treat active infestations
- Eco-conscious homeowners who are willing to trade some convenience for environmental responsibility and natural ingredients
Skip If:
- You're dealing with an active, established infestation that needs immediate, aggressive treatment
- You're sensitive to strong essential oil scents or have family members with fragrance allergies
- You want a set-and-forget solution without regular reapplication requirements
"As someone with two toddlers who spend all day on our deck, this gave me a way to keep ants and spiders away without worrying about them touching harmful residue. Worth the extra applications for that peace of mind."
- Michael from Oregon
Final Verdict
Exterminators Choice Outdoor Pest Repellent Spray delivers on its core promise of providing safer, plant-based pest control for outdoor living spaces. While it requires more maintenance than synthetic alternatives and works better for prevention than treatment, it offers genuine value for families prioritizing safety and environmental responsibility. The easy application and immediate usability around children and pets make it a solid choice despite the higher long-term costs.
I recommend it for homeowners who are already committed to natural products and don't mind regular maintenance routines. Just set realistic expectations about reapplication frequency and effectiveness limits, and you'll likely be satisfied with the results.
