Recently we shared our DIY Flea Repellent that is not only great for your dogs, but also for humans when going outdoors this summer. We wanted to expand on that recipe by sharing our DIY Natural Tick Repellent. Getting outdoors with your family for a hike or camping trip is a wonderful way to bond and enjoy God’s creation. Keeping your family safe from outdoor pests that cause lyme disease is imperative while avoiding toxins found in over-the-counter products.
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Note About Proper Tick Removal
It’s important to remember that this DIY natural tick repellent recipe is for tick prevention, NOT tick removal. If you’re currently treating an infestation, first properly remove the tick (1) and be sure not to apply essential oils until after it is extracted. Otherwise, the tick may get aggravated and regurgitate toxins into your body.
Homemade Tick Repellent Body Spray
Keep this simple body oil on hand to apply on exposed skin whenever tick exposure will be high. Hikers, campers, and others who enjoy outdoor activity that will take them into the woods should be considered at risk. Remember that these oils for a natural tick repellent are powerful, so you should keep them away from your eyes and mouth.
Homemade Tick Repellent Clothing Spray
A 2019 study evaluating natural tick repellent discovered that that creating a 5% dilution of oregano and spearmint and spraying the mixture on clothes had the same effect as DEET (2). This is what that looks like…
- 2 oz glass spray bottle
- Carrier oil*
- 12 drops clove
- 12 drops orange
- 12 drops vetiver
- 12 drops ylang ylang
- Add your essential oil drops directly to your glass spray bottle.
- Fill the remaining 2oz spray bottle with carrier oil of your choice.
- Shake well.
- Spray periodically to ankles, arms and any other exposed skin to repel ticks.
This tick repellent is suitable for ages 2+. For ages younger than 2, substitute the clove and ylang ylang essential oils in your master blend with atlas cedarwood, catnip, or geranium essential oils. Dilute 12 drops of this younger child version of the Tick-Repelling blend in your 2oz spray bottle.TIP: Using Neem Oil as a part of the carrier oil base can help boost the effectiveness of your repellent.
- 2 oz glass spray bottle
- 190 proof grain alcohol (or the highest proof alcohol you can get)*
- 30 drops oregano
- 30 drops of spearmint
- Add your essential oil drops directly to your glass spray bottle.
- Fill the remaining 2oz spray bottle with alcohol
- Shake well.
- Spray periodically to clothes to repel ticks.
- This doubles-up as a nifty hand sanitizer as well. 😉
