You must have a little jar of Vaseline at home for topical application, but do you know that you can use it in your yard too? Check out some beneficial Vaseline Uses and Hacks that will come quite handy in the garden!
Have a look at some amazing uses of vinegar in the garden here
Vaseline Uses and Hacks
1. Keep Your Tools Rust Free
Keep garden tools in top-notch condition by using Vaseline. Apply a layer of vaseline on blades and edges after working with tools to protect them from rust.
2. Get Rid of Ants
Vaseline works well in controlling ants and other insects like them due to its thick and sticky texture. So, if you’re facing the ant invasion in your home or garden–dab some Vaseline on their entry points, hideouts, and trails.
Check out our article to get rid of ants naturally here
3. Keep Squirrels Away from Bird Feeders and Birdhouses
One of the coolest Vaseline uses in this list. It is a chemical-free, safe, and natural trick to keep squirrels away from bird feeders or anywhere you don’t want them to be–coat the bird feeder pole with petroleum jelly.
This will create a slippery surface for them, and they’ll stay away from bird feeders.
Repel chipmunks and squirrels with these ideas here
4. Apply Vaseline on Your Hands after Gardening
Apply Vaseline on your hands after working with soil in the garden to moisturize them. Dermatologists recommend Vaseline for dry skin and eczema. It is safe from chemicals and inexpensive.
A clinical study published in 1993 (click here) found that it seals the moisture in your skin and repairs the fat cells impaired by dry skin. Visit How Stuff Works for more information.
5. Make Fake Plants Clean and Shiny
Rubbing vaseline on the leaves of real plants can be detrimental. However, you can make your fake plants look shiny and natural by rubbing a little vaseline!
6. Discourage Insects from Climbing up on Trees
Vaseline can be of great help if you want to discourage insects climbing up on plants and trees in your garden, especially ants that are notorious for their aphid and mealybug farming. P
Coat a thick band like Vaseline layer around the tree trunk, stem, or plant stalk (avoid smearing Vaseline on plant leaves). This will trap the ants and stop their traffic.
Note: You’ll need to reapply Vaseline after 3-4 days!
Watch this video for more information
7. Fix Squeaking Doors or Swing in the Yard
Apply a layer of vaseline on the squeaking hinges of doors or swings in the yard to eliminate the unwanted noise.
- Soothe Bug Bites
Got a mosquito bite, bad wasp sting, or a case of poison ivy while gardening all day? Rub some vaseline jelly on the affected spot for quick relief.
9. Repel Slugs and Snails
Slugs and Snails are not very fond of crawling on surfaces that are slimy and slippery. Applying a coat of vaseline mixed with salt on the surface, where they frequent the most, will keep them at bay.
10. Vaseline to Get Rid of Flea Beetles and Aphids
Though it is not proven still, you can try it. All you have to do is coat a yellow-colored cup with a layer of a sticky substance like vaseline over a foot or two long stick and put it near your plants.
Yellow color attracts pests like aphids, fungus gnats, whiteflies, and flea beetles. And vaseline works really well to restrict them on the sticky surface. Learn more about this here!
- Donna Dawson
- September 18, 2018 At 10:04 am
- I thought Vaseline’s only use was on my skin. I have been using it that way for a long time now. The new ways on how to use Vaseline in this post is quite refreshing. Thanks so much!
- Reply
- Suzanne Henrich
- April 29, 2019 At 10:11 am
- Apply Vaseline on the pole and entire humming bird feeder to keep ants away it works for the whole summer
- Reply
- Gail
- August 13, 2019 At 5:41 am
- I’ve applied Vaseline to my bird feeder poles for years! Works every year!
- Gail
- Reply
- Philesha
- September 4, 2019 At 11:14 am
- Do not apply Vaseline to plants. I applied Vaseline to the trunks of my okra plants to prevent ants. The trunks became discolored, weak, deformed, and some snapped in two where the Vaseline was applied. I planted 2 doz. plants and still got a decent crop, but would have done so much better had I not used Vaseline.
- Reply
- enki
- September 20, 2019 At 1:32 pm
- Vaseline is made from petrol. Not good for plant or for anyone really. But you can use if to control ants and clean tools
- Reply
- Susan
- July 26, 2020 At 2:22 pm
- What, no chemicals???? It’s petroleum based. I wouldn’t use it on my skin or plants.
- Reply
- Marja
- September 27, 2022 At 2:43 am
- Please Help me.
- I rubbed vaseline on the stem of my Camelia Japonica 3 weeks ago before going away. On my return the plant looks close to death – all leaves are brown and curling down on the edges. How can I remove the vaseline and MAYBE save the plant?
- Reply
I thought Vaseline’s only use was on my skin. I have been using it that way for a long time now. The new ways on how to use Vaseline in this post is quite refreshing. Thanks so much!
Apply Vaseline on the pole and entire humming bird feeder to keep ants away it works for the whole summer
I’ve applied Vaseline to my bird feeder poles for years! Works every year! Gail
Do not apply Vaseline to plants. I applied Vaseline to the trunks of my okra plants to prevent ants. The trunks became discolored, weak, deformed, and some snapped in two where the Vaseline was applied. I planted 2 doz. plants and still got a decent crop, but would have done so much better had I not used Vaseline.
Vaseline is made from petrol. Not good for plant or for anyone really. But you can use if to control ants and clean tools
What, no chemicals???? It’s petroleum based. I wouldn’t use it on my skin or plants.
Please Help me. I rubbed vaseline on the stem of my Camelia Japonica 3 weeks ago before going away. On my return the plant looks close to death – all leaves are brown and curling down on the edges. How can I remove the vaseline and MAYBE save the plant?
LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
