Ticks recently are becoming a serious problem and the number of tick bites and cases of Lyme disease are rising.
It is very advisable to use DEET repellent when going outdoors. These repellents are proven to protect you from tick bits, but they are full of chemicals which makes many people very hesitant to use them. However, there are more natural and eco-friendly options that are available for use on both humans and pets.
Neem oil is one of the major ingredients in homemade tick repellants. It prevents tick from sticking (it will not kill attached tick). You have to use Neem oil repellent within 8 hours otherwise oil will loose its potency.
Neem leave also have tick repellent properties.
Vinegar was also noted to keep ticks away.
Ticks do not live on citrus thus citrus could be used as one of the ingredients of homemade tick repellants.
1. Rose Geranium essential oil is fantastic tick and bug repellent. Just rub it between your hands and apply all over your skin, clothing, shoes and hat. Rub it over your dog (at hard to reach places thus your dog cannot lick it off). If you have sensitive skin, use any carrier oil (for example jojoba, almond, peach kernel, olive, sesame, coconut oil etc) and add 15-20 drops of Rose Geranium essential oil and then apply as described above.
2. Neem oil spray
10 ml of 1% Neem oil
1 L of water
Mix together very well, put into spray bottle and use within 8 hours.
3. One bulb of garlic
2 table spoons of Neem leaves
1 cup of water
1/2 cup of white vinegar
Tea tree essential oil
Lavender essential oil
Peppermint essential oil
Cedarwood essential oil
Bring a cup of water to boil.
Add to boiling water chopped garlic and 2 table spoons of Neem leaves.
Cover your sauce pan, reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.
Let mixture to cool down and strain it through cheese cloth.
Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to strained cool mixture.
Add essential oils, 10 drops each.
Using funnel transfer mixture to a spray bottle.
Use repellent within 24 hours.
Spray on your pets, your clothing, shoes, hats and skin. You can also use this spray on your outdoor gear: backpacks, tents, and even the are around your picnic or/and campsite.
4. The following repellent will assist in removing attached ticks as well as killing fleas on your dog.
1 oz of natural dog shampoo
1 tea spoon of Neem oil
10 drops of Palo Santo essential oil
Mix all together and apply to your dog thoroughly.
5. 1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of vinegar
In case you do not have any fancy ingredients but would like to use some sort of repellent to prevent ticks from sticking, combine water and vinegar together in a spray bottle and spray where needed. Ticks do not like vinegar smell.