How to Make Your Own Natural Tick Repellent

Get Rid of Ticks Naturally

Ticks are small arachnid insects that are considered ectoparasites, because they feed on the blood of humans and animals by staying on the outside of the host's body. Ticks live in trees and in tall grass and will latch onto the host's skin or fur. Ticks are hard to remove from the skin, and some ticks carry disease, such as deer ticks, which can carry Lyme disease. You can purchase tick repellent, or you can make your own at home for a fraction of the cost.

Things You'll Need

• 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
• Shampoo bottle
• 1 tbsp. aloe vera gel
• 25 drops rose geranium essential oil
• 25 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions

1. Pour 2 tbsp. of vegetable oil into a clean, empty shampoo bottle, preferably a travel size. Vegetable oil can be purchased at your local grocery store and does not have to be fancy or expensive. The least expensive vegetable oil will suffice for this recipe.

2. Add 1 tbsp. of aloe vera gel and shake the closed bottle vigorously to mix. Aloe vera gel is thicker than the other ingredients, so shake the bottle for one minute to mix, and shake again before using. You can purchase aloe vera gel at your local drugstore. If you own an aloe plant, you can also scrape the insides of an aloe leaf in order to get 1 tbsp. of aloe gel.

3. Add 25 drops of rose geranium essential oil to the mixture. You can purchase rose geranium essential oil at your local health food store or online (see Resources). Rose geranium essential oil is a natural tick repellant, as they do not like the smell or taste of the oil.

4. Add 25 drops of lavender essential oil to the mixture and shake vigorously for 30 seconds to mix. You can purchase lavender essential oil at your local health food store or online (see Resources). Lavender is another herb that ticks do not like the scent or taste of, and essential oil concentrates this scent and taste into a strong concoction that ticks won't touch.

5. Rub on your body before tick exposure. Squeeze a dime-size amount of the repellent into your hands and rub on any exposed area of your body, including your hands, arms, ankles and neck. Instead of latching onto your skin, the ticks will fall off onto the ground after smelling and tasting the repellent on your body.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply the repellent every few hours to prevent ticks.

• Always check for ticks when you have been in the woods, even if you have used the tick repellent.

References

• Make Your Own Insect Repellent
• Insect Repellent

Resources

• Herbal Tick Repellent for Dogs
• Rose Geranium Essential Oil
• Lavender Essential Oil