Ticks can literally suck all the fun out of warm summer days and your outdoor activities. Their bites are not only unpleasant - ticks are carriers of serious diseases such as encephalitis and Lyme disease. Therefore, before going into the forest, you MUST stock up on protective spray. This season, the Forest Fairy recommends that you use essential oils against ticks and mosquitoes rather than store-bought repellents. You may not be used to smelling so much, but this natural insect bite repellent really works!
Why is essential oil protection against ticks better than store-bought sprays?
Most commercial repellent sprays contain a dangerous component called diethyltoluamide. A pharmacological study at Duke University found that rats given the average human dose of diethyltoluamide (40 mg/kg body weight) had difficulty performing tasks requiring muscle control, strength, and coordination. It was discovered that because of DEET, neurons actually died in the areas of the brain that are responsible for muscle movement, learning, memory and concentration! (source)
Of course, rats are much smaller than people, but this does not mean that we are out of danger. Children are especially at risk of brain damage because their skin absorbs diethyltoluamide more easily.
Another study found that DEET-based repellents have a good natural alternative: geranium essential oil. In this case, the effect of fragrant pelargonium , which is still produced in very small quantities and is almost inaccessible to the average buyer. But ordinary geranium oil also works well as an aid against ticks. Not only does it smell nice, but it also helps with inflammation and irritation - an ideal choice for people with sensitive skin!
The dangers of Lyme disease
The nymphal tick is the tick most likely to cause Lyme disease. Most experts believe that the tick must be embedded in the skin for at least 24 hours before Lyme disease can be transmitted from ticks to humans.
Lyme disease can cause many debilitating symptoms, including:
- joint pain;
- swelling of large joints such as knees and elbows;
- extreme fatigue;
- heat;
- loss of short-term memory;
- speech problems;
- muscle pain.
Contact your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms.
What other essential oil helps against ticks and mosquitoes?
In addition to Pelargonium graveolens geranium oil, there are a number of essential oils with a variety of scents that were very convincing in tests:
- Cat mint . This repellent essential oil was better at repelling mosquitoes than diethyltoluamide in a 2001 study, and a 2006 study found that it could provide up to 6 hours of protection against insects.
- Citronella oil has been registered in the United States as a plant repellent since 1948. Instead of repelling blood-sucking insects, citronella masks the odors that attract them. Studies have shown that this oil is especially effective in combination with vanillin: it extends the duration of protection up to 3 hours.
- Lemon eucalyptus. An effective mosquito and tick repellent essential oil that evaporates slower than most other essential oils and can protect your skin for several hours.
- Thyme. The effects of this essential oil were studied in the same study as catnip, which showed the same strong effect, but a significantly shorter protection time - only 2 hours.
- Neem essential oil. In the late 1990s, researchers in India found that kerosene lamps containing 1% neem oil reduced the number of bites on volunteers who sat in a room overnight. In another study, a mixture of 2% neem oil and 98% coconut oil applied directly to the skin provided protection against bites from a variety of mosquito species: 96-100% from malaria-carrying mosquitoes and 61-94% from West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes.
- Cedar is a powerful essential oil against ticks, ants, fleas and lice. In tests in 2014, at a maximum dose of 6.3 mg/ml, this product destroyed 100% of ticks. It is also an excellent repellent for dogs, kills fleas and relieves itching.
There are other essential oils that help repel ticks, mosquitoes and other insects, but provide only short-term protection or have been less effective in studies than the ones listed above. However, you can also use them to make an essential oil repellent at home (see recipes below for how to do this):
- Pine;
- Vetiver;
- Bergamot;
- Rosemary – good for lice, flies, mosquitoes and ticks;
- Peppermint and other mints – have a very strong scent and are ideal for spraying around doors and windows to keep flies, mosquitoes, moths, spiders and ants out of your home;
- Tea tree is such a powerful repellent that it is even dangerous to the health of pets and therefore should not be used on dogs;
- Basil;
- Lavender – provides natural protection against fleas and ticks, and soothes areas of skin irritated by bites;
- Lemongrass is an essential oil against mosquitoes, ticks and fleas, often used as an insecticide to kill insects and their eggs;
- Lemon is a powerful antimicrobial and antibacterial agent, an antiseptic that can also deter most mites and is safe when ingested;
- Sage;
- Carnation;
- Eucalyptus.
Traditional methods of treatment
When it was not possible to protect the pet, signs of subcutaneous mites are detected, treatment is necessary. Many pets react negatively to drug therapy options, and for some breeds they are generally contraindicated. It is in such cases that folk remedies are used. They are used depending on what type of tick the dog has.
Protection against ixodid ticks
Ixodid ticks appear on your pet's body after a walk; they can be removed by bathing with tar soap or shampoo with the addition of essential oils.
If the tick is deeply ingrained into the dog’s skin, then essential oil in its pure form will help remove the parasite. The problem area is generously lubricated with one of the above oils and the parasite is removed using tweezers in a circular motion.
Subcutaneous mites
These parasites can be eliminated without the use of medications. There are several options:
- An infusion of celandine roots will be irreplaceable; the washed and purified raw materials are poured with sunflower oil in a 1:1 ratio. Maintain at a temperature of 50 degrees for at least 4 hours. The strained infusion is applied to problem areas daily.
- Juniper berries and sour apples are crushed into puree, mixed well and applied to the affected areas.
- Sour cream or kefir with black sulfur also have healing properties; the ingredients are mixed well in a 3:1 ratio.
- Birch tar will cope perfectly with the problem; the product is applied directly to the affected areas daily.
According to reviews, all of the above methods are effective, but before using them you should consult a veterinarian. This will allow you to choose the most suitable treatment option and not harm the dog.
Let's group repellent essential oils:
The Campers Guide to Essential Oil Bug Repellent divides them into the following groups:
| From mosquitoes: | For fleas: | From ticks: |
| Citronella, cedar, lemongrass, mint, eucalyptus, lemon, geranium, basil, lavender, thyme, cloves | Cedar, tea tree, citronella, eucalyptus, lemongrass, orange, lavender, pine | Lavender, lemon, cedar, geranium, eucalyptus |
Ash, smoke from a fire or cigarettes
Anti-mite ashes or ash have a detrimental effect on the parasite.
Cold ash or ash immobilizes the pest and inflicts wounds on it, completely paralyzing it; after a while the parasite dies. Also, the smell of ash repels ticks, preventing them from approaching. One of the disadvantages of this tick repellent is that the ash can stain your clothes.
Ticks cannot tolerate the smell of smoke from a fire or cigarettes, so it is safest to be near a fire. In nature, it is advisable to use several methods of protection: closed clothing and sprays. But still, such measures cannot provide a 100% guarantee and complete protection from tick bites.
How to make tick repellent from essential oil for people at home
Before you make an essential oil anti-mite remedy, it is important to make sure it is right for you. Some essential oils, including citronella, can cause redness and irritation when in contact with the skin. Try applying the finished product on a small area of skin and only after there has been no reaction for an hour, use it on the entire body.
In addition, you should also like the smell, since you will be inhaling it for several hours in a row. Aromas such as mint and lavender have the most beneficial and calming effect on the psyche. In combination with lemon and other citrus fruits, they are even used to relieve headaches. Read more about this in our article Aromatherapy at home .
Read on to learn how to use essential oils for ticks:
Natural water repellent recipe
The water-based product is convenient because it can be sprayed onto the skin or clothing without fear of leaving greasy stains on it.
Ingredients:
- 60 ml. apple cider vinegar or vodka;
- 60 ml. water;
- 20-40 drops of your chosen essential oil (geranium, citronella, lemon eucalyptus, catnip or a mixture of these);
- 1/2 tsp. glycerin - optional (it makes the smell more persistent).
Essential oils do not mix well with water, so they are first added to apple cider vinegar or vodka. Shake well, then add water and pour everything into a glass or PET plastic spray bottle. Please note that essential oils can leach chemicals from some plastics, so the above containers are preferred over all others.
Repellent recipe with base oil
Your protection against ticks with essential oils will last even longer if you mix them with a carrier oil. With it you can apply the product directly to the skin, providing it with additional hydration and care. In addition, the carrier oil will slow down the evaporation of the aroma of essential oils. The best options for this are oils such as:
- Almond;
- From grape seeds;
- Olive;
- Sunflower;
- Argan;
- Soy;
- Jojoba;
- Coconut.
Mix 20-40 drops of essential oil with 100-120 ml of base oil. Use immediately before going outside. If it is more convenient for you to use a home remedy for ticks and mosquitoes as a spray, then add about 100 ml of distilled water and pour everything into a spray bottle.
Note that oil-based repellent can be stored for 2-3 months in a cool, dark place. The use of water reduces this period to 1-2 weeks (judging by the smell).
Recipe 3. Combining essential oils against ticks and mosquitoes
Ingredients:
- 8 drops lemongrass;
- 4 drops of lavender;
- 4 drops peppermint or catnip;
- 4 drops of thyme.
Mix essential oils together and then add to carrier oil or water as recommended in previous recipes.
Recipe 4. Using citronella essential oil
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle (200 ml) base oil;
- 10 drops citronella;
- 10 drops of lemongrass;
- 7 drops of mint;
- 5 drops of tea tree.
First, mix the essential oils, then add them to the base oil.
Recipe 5. Moisturizing repellent oil at home
Ingredients:
- 8 drops tea tree;
- 8 drops of lavender;
- 8 drops lemongrass;
- 6 drops citronella;
- 6 drops eucalyptus;
- 120 ml coconut oil (preferably fractionated).
Mix all the essential oils and then mix them thoroughly with the coconut oil.
Some more ideas for combining different scents of essential oils:
- 10 drops geranium, 5 drops cedar, 3 drops lavender, 3 drops lemongrass;
- 10 drops rosemary, 6 drops cedar, 4 drops cinnamon;
- 8 drops geranium, 5 drops lavender, 5 drops rosemary, 2 drops patchouli;
- 10 drops lavender, 6 drops cedar, 4 drops patchouli;
- 12 drops lemon, 5 drops peppermint, 3 drops eucalyptus.
Also read: How to make perfume from essential oils with your own hands
You are now familiar with the main principles of how to use essential oils against ticks. We can only consider some of the nuances of their use for children and dogs.
Preventive actions
It is advisable to walk your dog in areas without tall grass and bushes. After a walk, you need to carefully examine the animal. Ticks can be found on skin or fur. Particular care should be taken to check the area behind the ears, eyebrows, neck, sides, paws, armpits, stomach and groin. You can comb your pet's fur with a thick comb.
If a tick is found on the skin, it must be carefully removed with tweezers using rotational movements. Under no circumstances should you try to sharply pull out a tick. The parasite must be removed carefully so that the head does not come off. Treat the bite site with iodine or alcohol.
Using folk remedies for ticks for dogs cannot guarantee 100% protection for your pet. Therefore, careful examination and observation of the animal is necessary. The owner should be alert to any changes in the behavior of his four-legged friend. For example, the dog has become restless, itches, and refuses to eat. This may indicate the presence of a tick. Early detection of a blood-sucking parasite and timely measures taken will protect your pet from contracting dangerous infections.
Essential oils against ticks and mosquitoes for children
Are essential oils safe to use on children? First of all, we note that essential oils are 100% natural, made from plants and are definitely safer than commercial repellents with their chemical composition.
However, essential oils are usually so concentrated that just a few drops are enough to repel insects. Therefore, they must be used with caution and in proportion to the child's body, especially if he has sensitive skin or is prone to allergies.
According to Essential Oil Safety, a book by world-renowned essential oil expert Robert Tisserand, essential oils are not recommended for use on infants under 3 months of age.
“Particular care must be taken with infants. Because neonatal skin does not mature until 3 months of age, it is more sensitive and more absorbent of essential oils. In addition, a newborn is less equipped to deal with any side effects than an adult due to the low concentration of enzymes. These precautions also apply to premature infants. It would be wise to avoid the use of essential oils here.”
This table was prepared based on materials from the book “Essential Oil Safety”:
| Essential oils and their dosage | |
| Safe to spray near or apply to the skin of children under 2 years of age | Basil, black pepper, catnip , cedar , chamomile, cinnamon, citronella, coriander , cypress, dill, fir, frankincense, geranium, ginger lavender , grapefruit, cumin, juniper, lemon , lime, lemon eucalyptus , mandarin, marjoram, orange , neroli, palmarosa, patchouli (Maximum concentration = 0.25% or 1 drop per 4 tsp carrier oil) |
| Safe only for spraying near children under 2 years of age | Jasmine Lemongrass Ylang-ylang |
| Use with caution in children under 3 years of age (may adversely affect temperature receptors in children's lungs and slow breathing) | Eucalyptus (up to 1-2 drops in a diffuser or at a concentration of up to 0.5% on the skin (2 drops per 4 tsp carrier oil)) |
| Safe for children from 2 to 6 years old | All previous ones (at a concentration of 1% or up to 1 drop per teaspoon of carrier oil) + Jasmine (0.7% or up to 4 drops per 2 tbsp carrier oil) + Lemongrass (0.6% up to 7 drops per 4 tbsp.) + Ylang-ylang (0.8% or up to 5 drops per 2 tbsp.) |
| Use with caution for children over 3 years of age | Peppermint (0.5% or 2 drops per 4 tsp carrier oil) Eucalyptus (1% or 4 drops per 4 tsp oil) |
| Safe for children from 6 to 10 years old | The same (with a dilution factor of 1.5% or 1 drop per 1 teaspoon of carrier oil) + Peppermint + Eucalyptus + Rosemary |
Some ideas for mixing essential oils for ticks and mosquitoes for children:
- 10 drops lavender + 10 drops citronella;
- 8 drops lavender + 5 drops geranium + 7 drops cedar;
- 10 drops lemon eucalyptus + 10 drops lavender;
- 5 drops lavender + 5 drops geranium + 2 drops patchouli + 8 drops mint;
- 5 drops geranium + 5 drops citronella + 2 drops patchouli + 3 drops lemon eucalyptus + 3 drops lavender + 3 drops mint;
- 10 drops citronella + 5 drops lemon eucalyptus + 3 drops patchouli + 3 drops lavender.
What to do if a tick is crawling on you?
If you notice a tick on your skin but it does not bite you, quickly remove it with tweezers or a gloved hand. If it's on your clothes, brush it off.
If the tick has already burrowed into your skin, use sharp-tipped tweezers to grab the tick as close to the surface of the skin as possible.
Try to remove the tick by the head, not the body, to remove the mouth part. In a quick motion, pull it upward with steady, even pressure.
Apply antibacterial ointment to the bite site.
If you suspect a tick has been on your skin for several hours or longer, contact your doctor after removing the tick for a blood test. This is especially important if you notice redness, swelling, or a rash, such as the bull rash associated with Lyme disease.
If you want to keep the tick to show a healthcare professional, place it in a jar with a lid.
How to Use Anti-Tick Essential Oils for Dogs
As with children, essential oils should be used very carefully on pets. Not only do they have sensitive noses, but their organs are smaller than ours. Instead of spraying the prepared spray directly on your furry friend, spray it on your hands first and then lightly pet your pet, trying to stay away from the face.
To protect your dog from ticks with essential oils, you can use lavender, lemon, citronella, sage, bergamot, cedarwood, lemon eucalyptus, lemongrass, peppermint, rosemary and geranium. According to the book Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals, it is best to avoid using the following oils on dogs:
- Anise;
- Sagebrush;
- Birch;
- Mustard;
- Almond;
- Oregano;
- Thyme;
- Camphor;
- Carnation;
- Savory;
- Garlic;
- Quinoa;
- Thuja;
- Horseradish;
- Juniper;
- Yarrow and others.
The easiest way to use essential oils against ticks for dogs is to mix a few drops of essential oil with aloe vera gel, which has a soothing and antiseptic effect. Read more about the beneficial qualities of aloe in our article How to use aloe vera at home . You can also prepare repellents based on vodka or carrier oil, as is done for people using the examples given above.
You and your pet may enjoy combinations of lemon and lavender, lemon and eucalyptus, lemon and citronella, peppermint and pine, and cedar, lavender and lemongrass.
Recipe for repellent with essential oils against ticks and fleas for dogs:
- ¼ tbsp. aloe vera gel;
- ¼ tsp. base oil (neem oil was used in the original version);
- 3 drops of cedar;
- 3 drops of lavender;
- 3 drops lemongrass.
After mixing all the ingredients, your product should have the consistency of hair conditioner. To achieve this, you can mix the mixture with ¼ cup of water. Rub a small amount of repellent into your dog's fur every few days. Pay special attention to places where pests usually accumulate: between the legs, in the abdomen, around the ears, etc.
Enjoy nature without thinking about ticks and mosquitoes!
Dangers of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial infection transmitted by the bite of an infected tick. Symptoms include vomiting and high fever, as well as muscle and abdominal pain.
If you become infected with RMSF, you may see a rash with small red spots on your arms and legs within 5 days. You may also see a second purplish-red rash, which indicates progression of the disease.
RMSF is a serious disease that, if left untreated, can cause serious organ damage or death. Contact your doctor immediately if you suspect you have RMSF.
