There is a lot of talk these days about ticks. The Government of Canada and the Ministry of Health are warning us about ticks. They are posing a risk to our kids, our pets and ourselves. In light of this, we thought it would only make sense to address the issue and how essential oils can kill ticks and make our Summer more pleasurable.
Natural alternatives for pest relief are in great demand. Essential oils are a popular choice, and some can repel ticks even if they don?t kill ticks.
We find the essential oils most commonly promoted as tick repellents include eucalyptus, lavender,lemongrass, lemon, geranium, palmarosa, pennyroyal and cedarwood.
Let?s take a look at each one and how they can assist.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus makes a great repellant, but you must use caution around pets. Try pairing it withcitronella, or using Eucalyptus-Lemon essential oil. As always, if you are using it directly on the skin, ensure you are diluting with a carrier oil. This oil is safe to use in lotions or in a spray with water.
Lavender
Lavender is an all-purpose insect repellent. In recent studies, lavender essential oil has performed well as both a tick deterrent, as well as a method of preventing tick eggs from hatching.
Lavender is safe to use on all ages, including babies. Make sure you are using a pure essential oil and not a fragrant or adulterated oil.
Use topically on your body, on clothing, on camp gear, rugs, etc.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is considered a natural tick repellent. This oil is safe to use to use in soaps, shampoos and lotions. If you are applying directly to the skin, ensure you mix it with a carrier oil.
Lemon
Sprinkle lemon essential oil around the home and on your person, including under cushions and under pet beds, but similar to Pennyroyal, don?t add directly to pet fur. The oil is safe to use in diluted form for sprays and in lotions and soaps, but it may make the skin more vulnerable to UV rays, as lemon oil is photo-toxic.
Geranium
Geranium has been used as an extremely potent repellent for ticks. Geranium can be applied directly to you or your dog?s collar.
Pennyroyal
Pennyroyal is a member of the mint family.
To use, sprinkle pennyroyal essential oil under cushions, rugs and pet beds in the home. Caution must be taken when using this oil, as it is not safe to add to skin lotions and creams. Do not use on pet fur, either.
Cedarwood
Cedarwood essential oil is toxic to ticks, making it a great repellant. It is safe to use on people and pets. Cedarwood oil kills ticks in 6 different ways: death by dehydration, neutralization of bodily fluids, encapsulation and/or emulsification of bodily fats, prevention of breathing, pheromonal interference that interrupts processes necessary to metabolism, movement, reproduction and feeding, and dissolving insect larvae. Cedarwood is definitely a top choice to protect yourself against ticks.
Blends
Making a blend to spray on yourself and your family is easy. Here are some of our favourite blends to repel and/or kill ticks.
Tick Repellant ?1
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of water
- 10 drops geranium essential oil
- 5 drops cedarwood essential oil
- 3 drops lavender essential oil
- 3 drops lemongrass essential oil
Directions:
1. Fill your spray bottle with 1 cup of water. If you are using a smaller bottle, just cut your amounts in half.
2. Add the essential oils, put the top on the bottle and shake.
Application:
Shake the bottle before each use and spray it on your clothes, skins and shoes. The scent will keep ticks away. Use it each time you go outside or into heavily wooded areas.
Tick Repellant ?2
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of water
- 20 drops lemongrass essential oil
- 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Directions:
1. Fill your spray bottle with 1/2 cup of water
2. Add the essential oils, put the top on the bottle and shake.
The directions are always pretty much the same ? shake the bottle before each use and spray it on your clothes, skins and shoes. The scent will keep ticks away. Use it each time you go outside or into heavily wooded areas.
Tick Repellant ?3
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/3 cup water
- 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 20 drops lemongrass essential oil
- 10 drops citronella essential oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
Directions:
1. Add vinegar and water to spray bottle.
2. Add the essential oils, put the top on the bottle and shake.
Again ? shake the bottle before each use and spray it on your clothes, skins and shoes. The scent will keep ticks away. Use it each time you go outside or into heavily wooded areas.
Tick Repellant ?4
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup witch hazel
- 24 drops lavender essential oil
- 24 drops geranium essential oil
Directions:
1. Add witch hazel to spray bottle.
2. Add the essential oils, put the top on the bottle and shake.
Shake the bottle before each use and spray it on your clothes, skins and shoes. The scent will keep ticks away. Use it each time you go outside or into heavily wooded areas.
These blends are safe for adults, kids and pets.
If you or anyone in your family are bitten by a tick, please seek medical attention immediately.
If are not using a blend, and plan to put the essential oil onto your skin, ensure you dilute the oil with a suitable carrier oil such as Grapeseed or Apricot Kernel.
Copyright www.serenityaroma.ca 2017, All rights Reserved.
Marian Simone, Certified Clinical Aromatologist with the Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists, and President of Serenity Aroma which offers pure essential oils, blends and carrier oils.
Visit them at www.serenityaroma.ca. Serenity Aroma ships across Canada and U.S.A.
