How to Make Eucalyptus Tick Repellent

Consumers who are reluctant to use commercial pesticides, such as DEET, on themselves or on their dogs may wish to try homemade eucalyptus tick repellent. Although eucalyptus trees don't grow throughout the world, some supermarkets and natural health stores carry their essence in the form of pure essential oils. Prevention of tick-borne illness requires that you check your pets and yourself for ticks after spending time outdoors, because efficacy of tick repellents may vary.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 15 to 25 eucalyptus leaves
• One quart of water
• Strainer
• Re-usable spray bottle
• Eucalyptus or lemon eucalyptus essential oil (optional)
• Four ounces of distilled water (optional)

Eucalyptus Leaf Repellent

1. Boil 15 to 25 eucalyptus leaves in one quart of water for approximately 10 minutes. The authors of "Dead Snails Leave No Trails" note that you may need to adjust the number of leaves, because the scent's strength may vary between each eucalyptus tree.

2. Cool the contents to room temperature.

3. Pour the cooled water and leaf mixture through a strainer to remove the leaves, and then discard the leaves.

4. Pour the remaining liquid into a spray bottle to use as needed.

Essential Oil Repellent

5. Fill a spray bottle with four ounces of distilled water.

6. Add ten drops of eucalyptus or lemon eucalyptus essential oil, and close the bottle. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy recommends 10 to 15 drops of oil for insect repellent, but you may want to begin with fewer drops and increase it incrementally to suit your tolerance for the scent.

7. Shake the bottle to mix the contents, and use the repellent as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Blend eucalyptus oil with citronella oil for an additional insect-repelling scent. Apply homemade repellents more often than commercial repellents, if needed.
• Do not use essential oils on or around cats---many of them are toxic to felines. Do not apply pure, undiluted essential oils to your skin, as they may cause irritation. Do not ingest essential oils without guidance from a physician, as they may be harmful. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that oil of lemon eucalyptus has not received valid testing as a repellent outside of its use an active ingredient in repellents sold commercially.

References

• Dead Snails Leave No Trails: Natural Pest Control for Home and Garden; Loren Nancarrow and Janet Hogan Taylor; 1996
• National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy: Methods to Apply Essential Oil
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Traveler's Health

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