How to Make Tick Repellent

You can make your own tick repellent for use on dogs, cats, farm animals and yourself. This tick repellent uses Neem oil as the active ingredient. A scientific study published in the South African Journal of Animal Science showed that Neem was an effective tick repellent when used on goats. Neem has also been successfully used in dog, cat and human tick repellents, as well as being a natural nontoxic agricultural insecticide. An added benefit for using neem in a tick repellent is that it also repels fleas and mosquitoes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Funnel
• 10 oz. organic jojoba oil or aloe vera gel
• 12 oz. or larger spray bottle
• 1/2 oz. organic neem oil

1. Place a funnel into the top of a 12-ounce or larger bottle.

2. Pour 10 oz. of organic jojoba oil or organic aloe vera gel through the funnel into the bottle. The jojoba oil or aloe vera gel serves as a base to dilute the neem oil. The oil is more effective at making the natural tick repellent stick to the skin or fur, but some people find the oil to be too greasy. If you prefer, substitute the jojoba oil for a different base oil, such as almond or olive oil.

3. Pour 1/2 oz. of organic neem oil through the funnel into the bottle.

4. Fasten the spray nozzle lid onto the bottle and shake the bottle for five minutes to combine the ingredients.

5. Shake the natural neem tick repellent before each use. Spray it lightly onto the fur of pets, avoiding the face, once every two weeks. Apply the neem oil liberally onto your skin before hiking or going into wooded areas.

Tips & Warnings

• Make smaller or larger amounts of the natural neem tick repellent by doubling or halving the recipe.
• Avoid getting the neem tick repellent in the eyes, ears, nose or genitals. If the repellent accidentally gets on the face or genitals, thoroughly rinse the areas with generous amounts of cool water until the burning or irritation subsides. Wash the neem tick repellent off using soap and water if a rash or irritation develops.

References

• South African Journal of Animal Science 33 (2); The Efficacy of a 10% Aqueous Neem (Azadirachta indica) Seed Extract for Tick Control in Small East African and Toggenburg Female Goat kids in Tanzania; L.M.J. Schwalbach, J.P.C. Greyling and M. David; 2003

Resources

• USDA Plant Profile - Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.)

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