Not only are ticks in that creepy-crawly category that gives most of us the heebie-jeebies, but they can be downright dangerous. Between Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Alpha-Gal (just to name a few), it’s a smart move to deter ticks from hitching a ride on you (or your dog) as much as possible.
As a Minnesotan (we have LOTS of ticks and mosquitoes!), I grew up using the typical DEET spray and thought nothing of it until I started to notice some odd after-effects.
The plants near my spray site would get bleached-out dots from where DEET touched them. My lips would go numb if it came in contact with my face. It caused damage to materials like leather, plastic, and painted surfaces.
I had to pause for a moment…. If that’s happening to the stuff around me, what is DEET doing to MY skin and body?! The skin is an effective barrier to our outside environment, but is also penetratable to certain substances, including DEET.
Not only is DEET able to be absorbed into our bodies, but only 50% of it is excreted over a span of 5 days. So, it sticks around in our bodies for A LONG time. No, thank you!
Of course, the EPA claims that DEET has “no risks of concern to human health or the environment,” but what do other sources say?
- Exposure to 4 g of DEET weekly can lead to neurotoxicity
- DEET has potential carcinogenic properties
- High use can lead to seizures and Gulf War Syndrome
- The CDC says the risk is low, but later admits that high use can lead to seizures, uncoordinated movements, agitation, aggressive behavior, low blood pressure, and skin irritation
- DEET is making its way into our natural waterways and drinking water, largely from showering it off or excreting it from our bodies.
While the negative effects of DEET are largely tied to high doses, and it has undoubtedly saved lives in terms of tick (and mosquito-related diseases), is there another way?!
After making an effective Essential Oil Mosquito Repellent and applying this to research specific to ticks, I discovered that essential oils can be fairly effective at repelling ticks as long as the right ones are used at the proper concentration and applied at regular intervals. Check out my recipe below!
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to products (including Amazon). I’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my link, at no additional cost to you! Regardless, I only link to products that I personally use on our homestead or believe in.
The Best Essential Oils to Repel Ticks
While DEET is undoubtedly the most effective compound at repelling ticks, I’ve found my homemade essential oil tick repellent works well enough in 95% of situations. It’s pleasant to use and has greatly reduced my overall DEET exposure.
*When I do happen to get a tick bite, I make sure to slather on some of my Homemade Drawing Salve to reduce any potential risks. Thankfully, ticks typically don’t transmit Lyme unless they’ve been attached for 36-48 hours, but it’s still a good idea to use this anytime you get a bite.
Essential oils to repel ticks:
- Citronella – High repellency of 91% when paired with thyme at a 3% dilution (Stefanidesova, 2017)
- Clove (NOT for dogs) – High repellency of 83% at a 3% dilution (Stefanidesova, 2017)
- Geranium – High repellency of 90% (Tabanca, 2013)
- Lavender – High repellency of 85% (Kulma, 2017)
- Oregano – Equivalent effectiveness to 20% DEET when used at a 5% dilution (Soutar, 2019)
- Spearmint (NOT for dogs) – Equivalent effectiveness to 20% DEET when used at a 5% dilution (Soutar, 2019)
- Thyme – High repellency of 91% when paired with citronella at a 3% dilution (Stefanidesova, 2017)
Homemade Tick Repellent Recipe
While many effective essential oils can be used, I love simplicity. I don’t want to have to keep a million ingredients on hand, and I want to be able to whip this up quickly before a hike. However, there appears to be a synergistic benefit of using multiple essential oils, so using at least 2-3 different essential oils is ideal.
This recipe provides a 2% dilution, which is ideal for topical application. It’s fine to omit or add other essential oils (like lavender or clove), just be sure to keep the total to 50 drops for the 4 oz recipe to prevent skin irritation.
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to products (including Amazon). I’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my link, at no additional cost to you! Regardless, I only link to products that I personally use on our homestead or believe in.
Supplies
- Measuring cup
- 4 oz spray bottle– I like amber glass since I often have this bottle outdoors with me (UV light will rapidly degrade the essential oils)
Ingredients
- 4 oz Distilled water
- 20 drops Citronella essential oil
- 20 drops Thyme essential oil
- 10 drops Geranium essential oil
- 50 drops Polysorbate 20 (an essential emulsifier; You can also use 200 drops Solubol as an alternative, if you prefer)
*Be sure to use an essential oil brand that is unadulterated and therapeutic grade. What I have linked above is (based on my research) the best quality, affordable, and accessible. I’m slowly transitioning over to them as my previous supply runs out.
**If you want to experiment with adding clove and/or spearmint, do not use this mixture on your dog as these essential oils can be toxic to them.
How to make it
Step 1: Mix together
Once you have your ingredients gathered, the rest is super easy! Fill the spray bottle with 4 oz of distilled water, then add the 50 drops of Polysorbate 20, followed by 50 drops of assorted essential oils. As discussed above, it’s okay to do some swapping of the essential oils as long as you stick with 50 drops in total for the 4 oz recipe.
Step 2: Shake well
Shake the mixture well to ensure that all of the essential oils are well-incorporated and you receive a true 2% dilution before spraying it onto yourself or your dog. The Polysorbate 20 is a great emulsifier to get the oils and water to mix properly, but it won’t hold the solution in suspension forever, so be sure to shake it before each application.
Step 3: Label
I know what you’re thinking: “Oh, I’ll remember what this is.” Trust me, you won’t! Always, always label your homemade goods with at least the name of what it is and the date you prepared it. If there’s room, I like to list out the ingredients as well. You can use cute labels, or if you’re basic like me, a strip of masking tape works just fine.
Step 4: Store
Store the bottle in a cool, dark location for 6 months. I make a fresh bottle every spring when the ticks start appearing and then refill as needed until the season is over.
How to Use My Homemade Tick Repellent
Give it a shake and then mist a light layer over your skin and clothing. Avoid your eyes and mouth. Start with a small part of your body (like your forearm) to ensure that you don’t react to any of the essential oils before committing to your whole body. If you plan to use this on your dog, make sure to do a test area on your furry friend as well!
One thing that makes this homemade tick repellent different from DEET is the frequency of application. You may find that it wears off in an hour or two, so keep the bottle handy for reapplication if you’re outdoors for extended periods of time.
If you do happen to get a tick bite (which still happens on our homestead despite using my repellent – it won’t provide 100% protection!), be sure to slather on some of my Homemade Drawing Salve to reduce the risk of any disease transmission.
Controlling Ticks on the Homestead
Living in the northwoods of Minnesota, we have a LOT of ticks. We also strive to keep things toxin-free, so we don’t jump for treatments like insecticides. Thankfully, there are still a few organic options that make a difference for us!
Mowing
This one makes the biggest impact for us! While we still have some fields that we like to keep long for natural habitat and wildflower growth, keeping our immediate yard area and walking trails mowed regularly really helps keep the tick numbers down.
Keep chickens and guineas
If you need yet another reason to raise some chickens and guineas, this is a great one! They are both excellent at eating ticks. We hardly ever pick up ticks when we spend time in the chicken yard. One chicken can eat an average of 81 ticks in just a 30-60 min time period, and guineas do an even better job!
Plant tick-repellent plants
There are certain plants that ticks just can’t stand to be around, such as lavender, marigolds, and lemon balm. Try planting a few of these around your home, garden, or wherever you spend your time, and you might notice a drop in the tick population nearby. Worst case scenario, you still have some lovely flowers to enjoy.
Nightly tick check
While you can do everything in your power to deter ticks, it seems like there’s always a few sneaky buggers that still find a way to latch on. During tick season, always be sure to do a thorough tick check every night before you go to bed! Don’t forget your pups, too!
Other Recipes You’ll Love:
- Essential Oil Mosquito Repellent Recipe
- Soothing Chickweed Salve Recipe
- Homemade Drawing Salve (Bites, Stings & Slivers)
Essential Oil Tick Repellent Recipe (Dog-Safe!)
Equipment
- Measuring cup
Ingredients
- 4 oz Distilled water
- 20 drops Citronella essential oil
- 20 drops Thyme essential oil
- 10 drops Geranium essential oil
- 50 drops Polysorbate 20 an essential emulsifier. You can also use 200 drops of Solubol as an laternative.
Instructions
- COMBINE - Fill the spray bottle with 4 oz of distilled water, then add the 50 drops of Polysorbate 20, followed by the 50 drops of assorted essential oils. It’s okay to do some swapping of the essential oils as long as you stick with 50 drops in total for the 4 oz recipe.
- SHAKE - Shake the mixture well to ensure that all of the essential oils are well-incorporated and you receive a true 2% dilution when sprayed onto your skin. The Polysorbate 20 is a great emulsifier to get the oils and water to mix properly, but it won’t hold the solution in suspension forever, so be sure to shake it before each application.
- LABEL - Always, always label your homemade goods with at least the name of what it is and the date you prepared it. If there’s room, I like to list out the ingredients as well. You can use cute labels, or if you’re basic like me, a strip of masking tape works just fine.
- USE - Simply, give it a shake and then mist a light layer over your skin and clothing. Avoid your eyes and mouth. Start with a small part of your body (like your forearm) to ensure that you don’t react to any of the essential oils before committing to your whole body. If you plan to use this on your dog, make sure to do a test area on your furry friend as well!|One thing that makes this homemade tick repellent different from DEET is the frequency of application. You may find that it wears off in an hour or two, so keep the bottle handy for reapplication if you’re outdoors for extended periods of time.
- STORE - Store the bottle in a cool, dark location for 6 months. I make a fresh bottle every spring when the ticks start appearing and then refill as needed until the season is over.
Notes
Achieve Your Best Harvest Yet!
Grab your own FREE copy of my Garden Growing Guide. It’s fully customizable to your growing zone and can be printed or used digitally. Happy Gardening!