How to Use Essential Oils to Repel Ticks

Essential oils are a great natural option to ward off pesky bugs and there are some that work better than others for Natural Pest Control. Learn How to Use Essential Oils to Repel Ticks and feel more confident out in nature!

Ticks are fairly common ecto-parasites (organisms that live outside the animal) that pose a great hazard to human health. They can cause direct harmful effects to the skin as well as acting as transmitting vectors for viral, bacterial, fungal and protozoan diseases. Their transmission capacity can only be compared to that of mosquitoes.

Diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease and characteristic skin lesions can be attributed to bites associated by ticks. In some cases it may result to paralysis caused by toxins present in their saliva. These harmful ticks may include the deer tick and the wood tick.

Some of the potential symptoms for tick borne diseases may include red spots, rash near the bite area, stiffness of the neck, headache, muscle and joint pains, general weakness and nausea among others.

How do you prevent ticks from getting on you?

• Use of natural tick repellants. Examples may include the use of Cedar oil which can be described as non-toxic natural tick repellent that can be effective when sprayed directly on the skin or clothing.it not only repels them but also kills them.
• Applying homemade Tick and Insect Repellents.  These Natural Tick Repellents includes the use of Certain Aromatherapy Essential Oils recipes such as eucalyptus oil, Neem oil and apple cider vinegar. 
• Using chemical repellent with DEET, permethrin or picaridin.
• Create a tick barrier around your home  by keeping your lawn well-manicured and eliminate their habitats
• Avoid tick-infested areas.
• Check yourself, your children, and your pets daily for any signs of tick infestation and carefully remove any ticks.
• Use an antibacterial ointment on the area of the bite or treat exposed skin with the repellent of your choice
• If walking or working in suspected tick infested areas, cover as much of your skin and head as possible. 
• Check your skin and scalp for ticks when you return home and remove them immediately.
• Wash your clothing in hot water and dry on a hot setting.

Do any essential oils repel ticks?

Studies have shown that a good number of essential oils are quite potent and effective in killing and repelling ticks. This makes essential oils great alternatives in offering tick protection. Some of these essential oils may include oregano oil, thyme and citronella, and clove bud oils. Ticks also dislike scents of lemon, orange, cinnamon, lavender, peppermint and rose geranium as they will tend to avoid such areas with such scents. Such oil can be gently rubbed onto the skin when diluted with carrier oil to prevent tick attacks.

What essential oils will keep ticks away?

Some of the oils that have shown to have tick repelling properties include:

Lavender Oil 

The lavenders oil scent naturally repels ticks. It also prevents tick eggs from hatching. Lavender oil is extremely soothing and has antibacterial properties that help to prevent infection.

Lemongrass Oil 

Lemongrass oil is another great way to keep ticks off your skin, as ticks hate the scent and will generally stay away from it. The active ingredients, citral and geraniol, are natural repellents. 

Cedar wood Oil 

Cedar wood oil is extremely popular for pest control, as it both repels and kills ticks on both animals and humans. When cedar wood oil is diffused for aromatherapy, it releases anti-parasitic molecules into the air, killing any ticks that may be present in the home.

Oregano oil

Oregano has proved to be quite effective in controlling ticks. It contains cedrol, a chemical component that kills ticks when into contact. 

Rosemary Oil 

Rosemary oil is a natural flea repellent and also helps to heal flea bites. However, rosemary oil is extremely potent, and in some cases, can irritate the skin. Use this oil very sparingly, and watch carefully for any itching or redness on your pet’s skin.

Neem Oil 

Neem oil is a natural remedy with a variety of uses including repelling fleas and ticks. It should be diluted at a ratio of one drop Neem oil to 10 drops carrier oil. 

Rose Geranium Oil 

Rose Geranium oil naturally repels ticks with a good scent!

Clove Oil 

Clove oil is extremely effective at killing and repelling ticks and should only be applied directly on the skin after diluting it with carrier oil. 

Essential oils are easy to use and effective solution to controlling ticks. They are also great alternative in managing allergies and skin irritation caused by tick bites.

Read more about Natural Tick Repellent Recipe and How to Remove a Tick