What to Use for Tick Repellent

Ticks are tiny parasitic creatures that live on the blood of their hosts.

Ticks are small parasitic arthropods that feed on the blood of host organisms, including humans. Some tick species spread serious diseases, such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Living primarily in woody and grassy areas, ticks are a common pest for anyone involved in outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking or even when working or playing in the yard. Several repellents are available that may help reduce the risk of a tick bite.

DEET

The chemical N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, or DEET, has proven to be an effective repellent for ticks. While the specific mechanism of prevention is not well understood, the likelihood is that the chemical masks the wearer, making it impossible for the tick to detect a potential host. DEET is a common ingredient in over-the-counter topical insect repellents and can be applied directly to the skin. This repellent is also persistent on the skin and does not require reapplication.

Permethrin

Several tick repellents contain 0.5 percent of permethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide. Permethrin works not only as a repellent, but also kills ticks. This is not a topical repellent and is specifically designed for light application to clothing only, which should be laundered immediately after wear. Exposure to skin and eyes can cause mild irritation. Permethrin-based repellents are available in pump or spray form.

Picaridin

Another synthetic insect repellent, picaridin is also used against ticks and has a similar effect as DEET. Relatively safe for treating both skin and clothing, picaridin is available in sprays, lotions, aerosols and towelettes. Widely used in both Australia and Europe, this insect repellent is considered safe by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and has been available in the United States since 2005. A true repellent, picaridin does not kill insects, as does permethrin.

Lemon Eucalyptus Oil

Classified by the EPA as a biopesticide repellent, lemon eucalyptus oil is now available in sprays and lotions as a broad-spectrum insect repellent that is effective against ticks. Most preparations contain between 10 and 40 percent p-Menthane-3,8-diol, a naturally occurring chemical and the active ingredient in the oil. The EPA considers lemon eucalyptus oil as safe for both adults and children with a very low level of toxicity.

References

• Centers for Disease Control; Protect Yourself From Tick Bites; October 2010
• The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station; Tick Management Handbook; Kirby C. Stafford III; 2007
• Environmental Protection Agency; The Insect Repellent DEET; March 2007
• Centers for Disease Control: Updated Information Regarding Insect Repellents
• National Pesticide Information Center: Picaridin General Fact Sheet
• Environmental Protection Agency: p-Menthane-3,8-diol (011550) Fact Sheet

Resources

• University of Nebraska; What's the Scoop on Insect Repellents?; Barb Ogg; 2008