Natural Tick Repellent

There are substances that are considered to be a natural tick repellent, but most people still think that DEET is the only truly effective solution. However, some people would rather use a natural tick repellent instead of the chemical DEET. If you would like to try a natural tick repellent on yourself or on your dog (but not cat), you could try Rose Geranium or American Penny Royal, which is also called tickweed. Try to get hold of the essential oils of these wild flowers.

Natural Tick Repellent

There are ticks everywhere in the world, but it is fair to say that there are more ticks in some countries than in others and that there are more within some areas within those countries than others as well.

Ticks actually belong to the arachnid or spider family and they normally suck blood from warm-blooded animals and a few reptiles. They can cause Lyme Disease, Q Fever and canine jaundice.

Ticks are present all over the world and in almost every environment although the prefer long grass. A tick will attach itself to a host either by grabbing hold with its mandibles as the host walks past or by launching itself onto the host. It will then look for a spot to nestle. It is uncommon for the host to realize that a tick is present, so it is thought that the tick injects an analgaesia.

The Ichneumon wasp has been investigated for a very long time for its possible potential to control certain tick populations. This wasp lays its eggs in the ticks and the young larval wasps eat their host - the tick. Justice, many would say.

A surprising but incredibly voracious predator or ticks is the guinea fowl. It has been estimated that just two birds can destroy the population of ticks in 8,000 square metres of land in just one year!

The main fear of having a tick on you is Lyme's Disease, but there is little chance of contracting that if you get the tick off you within 24 hours. Therefore, you should check yourself or (more fun) have yourself checked after you e spent any time in long grass or bushes.

Some people reckon that eating large quantities of garlic deters ticks, but it has not been substantiated. Some people, especially garlic growers, attribute all sorts of magical qualities to garlic besides warding off vampires.

The best way of stopping ticks is to cover your lower body area. This means wearing shoes and socks and long trousers and tuck your trousers into your socks. Likewise, tuck your shirt into your trousers. This is not guaranteed protection, but the ticks will have to work harder to bite you.

A further precaution is to wear light-coloured clothing, because most ticks are dark and slow-moving. This will give you or your friends more chance of spotting them. The back of the neck seems to be a favourite spot, so check or have that area checked regularly.

If your problem is ticks in the yard, then keeping the grass short will almost certainly solve your tick problem.

The only natural tick repellent that I have any faith in myself is the following:

Put 2 tbsp. of any vegetable oil into a clean container. Add 1 tbsp. of aloe vera gel and shake well. Then add 25 drops of rose geranium oil. Then add 25 drops of lavender oil .

Shake this up vigorously and apply it to your clothes and your skin or your dog's coat sparingly.