Ticks are emerging and spreading more widely at this time of year. What therefore can we do to keep these host-seeking bugs away from our family and dogs? One of the most widely used repellents is DEET, although excessive usage of it has been shown to be neurotoxic. Today, the majority of research define excess as utilizing it three to four days in a row. That doesn’t seem excessive to me because I have active children who play outside every day, but according to research, this is the upper limit at which DEET can begin to harm the body. So what natural remedies are accessible to our families?
This summer’s answer to your quest for a quick and efficient tick deterrent is “ROSE” GERANIUM ESSENTIAL OIL. This is the common name, however the Latin binomial name Pelargonium graveolens, often known as Pelargonium X aspen, is better known in the industry. It’s quite perplexing because there are so many articles regarding which “rose” geranium works best. let me set the record straight. Here is what I can say for sure. Although the scent of each rose geranium variety varies slightly, the species’ chemical makeups are quite similar. And to be really honest, depending on weather and environmental variations, the very same essential oil that is grown and distilled in one place can produce a somewhat different product every year, both in terms of scent and chemical makeup. So, in terms of how they combat ticks, do they actually differ from one another? We’ll see.
According to the majority of articles I’ve read, rose geranium’s scent deters ticks for a few different reasons. Whether deciding when to jump onto their host, ticks rely on their sense of smell. The scent of geranium repels ticks and masks the natural smell of CO2 that humans emit, which is a key factor in tick selection. Compared to the traditional, more prevalent Pelagorium gravelons, which has a rosy perfume with a faint note of mint, some kinds of rose geranium (Pelargonium capitatum & Pelargonium radens) have a more flowery, rosy scent. The majority of articles you can find online are written by people who claim that the smell of roses is the secret to keeping these bothersome pests away. However, a study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry in 2013 determined that Pelagorium gravelons (Egypt) was equally or even more efficient than DEET based on the plant’s 10-epi-y-eudesmal chemical makeup. One of the several compounds included in this rose geranium essential oil is the one that was successful in keeping ticks away. Also keep in mind that Pelagorium gravelons is one of the less flowery geranium species and variations.
So, is one superior to the other? Based on the data conducted over the past few years, I would equalize the playing field for all “rose” geranium essential oil variations. Having stated that, I would advise you to select the essential oil that you want. Pelagonium graveolens, which has a rose scent with a trace of mint, and Pelargonium graveolens var. roseum, also known as Geranium Bourbon, are the two most typical varieties you may encounter (highly floral smell). All three would function well.
When your kids and dogs return inside from playing outside, be vigilant about checking them for ticks, whether you’re using DEET or a natural tick repellent.
The tick recipe
the oils we carry
Investigation of Geranium Essential Oils as Natural Tick Repellents Under the Influence of Bioactivity. 2013 ACS PUBLICATIONS Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Which essential oil works best against ticks?
Since 1997, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has registered the commonly used biopesticide oil of citronella as an insect repellant.
Thyme and citronella essential oil together proved to be the most efficient against ticks, according to a study that examined 11 different essential oils.
How to use citronella oil as a tick repellent
Spray over skin or clothing after mixing 10 to 15 drops of citronella oil with 5 drops of thyme oil. A dispersion agent like solubol may be added to help with the ineffective mixing of oil and water. Apply a 4:1 ratio. 1 drop of essential oil should be combined with 4 drops of solubol.
Before using citronella and other essential oils more broadly, be sure to conduct a patch test on a small area of skin because some people have reactions to them.
One of the active components in citronella, geraniol, is also included in goods that are created for sale, such EcoSmart.
Do geranium oil and rose geranium oil differ from one another?
- The Rose Geranium is a member of the botanical Pelargonium family, popularly known as the “Scented Geraniums.”
- Rose geranium essential oil is said to be superior due to the rosy floral note in its scent, although having nearly identical qualities to geranium essential oil.
- Rose geranium essential oil provides a calming sedative effect when used in aromatherapy applications that fosters stronger sensations of relaxation, emotional stability, and optimism. It also aids in bug repelling and deodorizing musty indoor spaces.
- Rose geranium oil is said to balance the skin’s natural oil production, reduce the look of enlarged pores, get rid of bacteria that cause infections or acne, improve circulation, lessen the appearance of cellulite, varicose veins, and dull skin, promote body relaxation, deodorize, hasten the fading of scars and blemishes, soothe itchy skin conditions, and generally rejuvenate the complexion.
- When applied topically, Rose Geranium Oil is said to aid in the body’s detoxification process, ease the discomfort associated with inflammatory skin problems and musculoskeletal disorders, as well as speed up the healing process for cuts and scrapes.
Can my dog be treated with rose geranium oil?
Can we safely apply rose geranium oil to our dogs and cats, you might wonder? Yes, it is the answer. It is effective, but you need dilute it before using it on your dogs. Additionally, this organic substance is entirely non-toxic. Therefore, it’s beneficial for our dogs as well! Learn more by reading on.
Rose geranium essential oil is frequently used in aromatherapy for pets because it effectively repels ticks from both people and animals. Its abilities to deter ticks are equivalent to those of DEET, and it also has a pleasant scent. Rose geranium oil works best on cats and dogs to get rid of ticks, while certain essential oils may have traces of the nasty pesticide.
Your pets can be effectively and naturally protected from ticks by using rose geranium oil. The rose Pelargonium graveolens is used to produce this essential oil. Ticks find the rose aroma to be extremely repulsive, which stops them from biting. Additionally, geranium oil has anti-fungal properties and can be used to combat fungi like yeast.
Consider rose geranium oil if you’re thinking about using essential oils on your dog or cat. The perfume of this essential oil is rose, sweet, and spicy. Additionally, it has a reputation for warding off fungus and ticks. Although you shouldn’t use it as a shampoo, you can saturate your pet’s fur with it by combining it with olive oil.
Cat and dog ticks can be effectively treated with rose geranium oil to keep your pets safe from these pesky insects. Due to its ability to disguise the fragrance of the pet, this essential oil is very good at keeping ticks away. Your pet is safe to use this natural remedy, but you should be sure to appropriately dilute it in a carrier oil. Two or three drops of rose geranium can be added to a teaspoon of diluted olive or coconut oil if the aroma bothers you. Another choice is to apply it topically to your pet’s body and neck as a shampoo. This approach is particularly helpful if you take your dog for walks along grassy trails.
Do geraniums appeal to ticks?
Herbs are useful for more than just cooking. Some herbs are insect-repellent. Here are a few plants that can ward off those nasty and feared ticks!
There are numerous types of lavender. Lavender is a perennial plant with lovely flowers and a pleasant scent. Another excellent feature of this plant is its lovely blossoms. Ticks, moths, mice, the bothersome black fly, mosquitoes, and fleas are also claimed to be repelled by it!
Apparently, lemongrass keeps ticks away.
Lavender and lemon grass are excellent gardening partners. Lemongrass can be consumed. Lemongrass does smell like lemons. Some individuals believe it has a faint ginger flavor, while others believe it has a faint lemon flavor.
Not all cats and dogs will automatically avoid plants that are poisonous to them. So exercise caution.
Ticks are supposedly repelled by geraniums, particularly the Rose variety. If you are concerned that a cat will enter your garden and devour your geraniums, you can plant Rue to assist deter cats from doing so. Fleas can be repelled by the plant rue.
Ticks are supposed to be repelled by sage, catnip, and mints. Catnip and all mint kinds are safe to use around pets, which is another appealing feature. To help ward off ticks and fleas, dry out these plants and distribute them around your home and in your pets’ bedding. It won’t harm your pet if they consume some of the plant. It’s crucial to keep in mind that all mints are invasive, therefore it’s better to grow them in containers. They grow swiftly in the ground if you plant them there.
Is rose geranium oil effective against ticks?
Tick repulsion properties of the essential oil Rose Geranium (Pelargonium capitatum x radens) are widely known. However, it’s crucial to be aware that there are two types of rose geranium oil.
How is rose geranium spray made?
Recipe for Homemade Tick Spray
- 1 tablespoon of witch hazel or vodka.
- 40 drops of the essential oil of rose geranium (I’ve been using THIS one).
- one-third cup of distilled water
Try Cedar Oil Spray
Natural, non-toxic insect and tick repellents include cedar oil. It is sprayable straight onto skin and clothing. Use on both people and animals is safe. Ticks and other bothersome insects are not only repelled by cedar oil but are also killed by it. Online, at the majority of pet stores, and at big-box stores, cedar oil spray is available for purchase.
Homemade Tick and Insect Repellent
Try out this easy recipe. Just combine, then use on exposed skin before going outside:
- Citronella essential oil, 9 drops
- Tea Tree essential oil, 6 drops
- 6 drops of essential peppermint oils
- 1 tablespoon of jojoba or almond oil
Eucalyptus Oil
Ticks are known to be effectively repelled and killed by eucalyptus oil. Simply add 20 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to a small spray container with 4 ounces of filtered or distilled water. Spray over skin, shoe laces, and pant cuffs after shaking the container. It’s okay to use on dogs (eucalyptus oil must be diluted with the water before application on dogs).
Neem Oil
Ticks can be repelled and removed naturally by applying need oil. Add a few drops to your hand’s palm before applying to exposed skin. Additionally, it may be thinned and combined with almond or another clear carrier oil. Dogs can use it safely when diluted. Applying a few drops of neem oil directly to a tick can cause it to immediately extract itself.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Once more, apple cider vinegar comes to the rescue! This great organic treatment aids in tick deterrence. The following solution can be sprayed on skin that is exposed, lawn furniture, and clothing. In a spray bottle, mix the following ingredients:
- 2 glasses of water
- Apple cider vinegar, 4 tablespoons
- two tablespoons of natural neem oil
Certain Aromatherapy Essential Oils
They not only have a wonderful scent but are also considered to be effective tick deterrents. Ticks will stay away from anything that smells like lemon, orange, cinnamon, lavender, peppermint, and rose geranium because they detest the scent of such plants. Any of them, individually or in combination, can be used to make DIY sprays, or they can be mixed with almond oil and applied to exposed skin. Any of the aforementioned concoctions should be made using 100% organic essential oils, which are available online at PennHerb products.
Eat Garlic!
We may now add one more benefit to the long list of advantages garlic provides for our health. Regular garlic ingestion or the use of garlic supplements lowers the risk of tick bites. Garlic causes the body to produce an unpleasant odor.
*Cautions:
- Please with your veterinarian before feeding garlic to your pet.
- It is not advised to use essential oils on cats. For advice on how to effectively treat cats for fleas and ticks, speak to your veterinarian.
What causes ticks to leave the skin?
When I first saw a tick, I felt both fascination and dread. It occurred at Alma Lake in north-central Wisconsin during my lone and only summer camp experience. A large, fat tick was found embedded in the flesh of one of my cabin mates’ tummy. We all said in unison, “Gross,” and kept gazing. The possibilities for getting rid of the tick whirled quickly. The best option was to light a match, extinguish it, then touch the hot tip to the tick’s back end. Cooler heads won out, and the child went to the nurse for a more successful method of tick removal as we frantically searched for matches.
Anyone who spends time outside or takes care of someone who does can benefit from learning how to remove ticks. It is less probable that a tick may transmit the bacteria that cause Lyme disease or other tick-borne disorders the sooner it is correctly removed.
Don’t fall for the myths
There are various traditional methods for getting rid of a tick. One popular method is to touch it with a hot match. Others include freezing it off or suffocating it theoretically by covering it in petroleum jelly or nail polish. All of these are designed to cause the tick to naturally “back out” of the skin. However, they frequently have the opposite effect, causing the tick to latch on more firmly, dig deeper, and perhaps deposit more of its disease-carrying fluids into the wound, increasing the likelihood of infection.
Which method gets rid of ticks the best? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise the following: The tick should be seized using a pair of fine-tipped tweezers as close to the skin as you can. After that, pull it out slowly. Cleanse the skin with soap and water after the tick has been removed. Put the tick, which is probably still alive, in alcohol or flush it down the toilet to get rid of it.
Most tick bites result in removal, which puts an end to the ordeal. But for some people, it’s just getting started.
Tick-borne diseases
The most prevalent illness carried by ticks in the US is Lyme disease. It is brought on by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which is spread to people by infected blacklegged ticks, also referred to as deer ticks. The bite of an immature deer tick, which is roughly the size of a poppy seed, causes the majority of Lyme disease infections. Although adult deer ticks are larger and more likely to be noticed and removed before they have a chance to infect a human, they are still capable of transmitting Borrelia burgdorferi.
Lyme disease is currently present in most states and is still spreading throughout the Northeast and upper Midwest. An interactive map created by the CDC displays its spread from 2001 to 2011.
Soon after the tick bite, infection with Borrelia burgdorferi frequently but not always results in a rash that resembles a red bull’s eye. Usually, receiving antibiotic treatment will stop any short- or long-term effects. Joints, the heart, and the nerves could all experience issues as a result of the infection if it is not addressed. A tick bite can also result in arthritis that lasts for months or years.
Despite traditional antibody tests being negative, some Lyme disease patients and some general practitioners have contended that Borrelia burgdorferi can somehow resist antibiotic treatments and develop into a chronic illness that requires long-term antibiotic treatment. In addition to a number of other issues, chronic Lyme disease has been linked to pain, exhaustion, muscular aches, memory loss, and cognitive decline.
The majority of Lyme disease specialists do not think that an active infection lasts after antibiotic therapy and after blood testing for antibodies are negative. They have criticized what they believe to be faulty infection diagnostics and unnecessary, potentially hazardous, long-term antibiotic medication.
The Boston Globe recently ran a front-page piece highlighting the debate around Lyme disease and its management.