Perhaps one of the worst signs that summer is here is a tick infestation.
Whether you have pets or are an avid hiker or gardener, prevention is absolutely essential to protect your health, as even the slightest bite from these pesky pests can cause serious damage. But how can you prevent them without spraying chemicals?
We spoke to pest control experts to find out more about the natural methods they use to ward off mites in the garden, and discovered the three best recipes for DIYing your own tick repellent at home.
How to make a tick repellent
The best way to avoid tick bites is, of course, to Killing mites in the gardenUse Tick ​​repellent plants To keep ticks at bay, make sure to cover any exposed skin when walking through long grass or shrubs, but it never hurts to add an extra line of defense in the form of a DIY tick repellent spray to keep these little blood-sucking bugs from bothering you.
1. Mix the garlic solution
Garlic is said to ward off bloodsuckers, and while we can't vouch for its effectiveness, it certainly works on other small blood-sucking bugs such as ticks.
Garlic is one of the most commonly used aromas. Homemade bug sprayIt's equally effective at repelling ticks, explains operations director Brett Bennett. PURCOR Pest Control SolutionsThis may not be surprising, given that eating too many of them can have a repelling effect on people – their strong smell certainly does.
“I always recommend garlic oil as one of the best all-natural DIY tick repellents. Garlic oil is easy to make at home by simmering garlic in olive oil, or you can buy it pre-made.”
“Ticks hate garlic, so applying garlic oil to your skin or clothes will help keep the pests away. It's safe to use in the garden, and simply planting garlic or other onions will help repel ticks naturally.”
2. Use flowers with strong fragrances
If you don't want to smell like garlic bread, there are also sweeter-smelling DIY tick repellent options that use stronger-smelling flowers like rose geranium and lavender. Alan Bothell“These compounds make it difficult for the mites to sense their environment, making it more difficult for them to find and attach to a host,” explains the pest control expert and operations specialist at BBE Bed Bug Exterminator.
“The first step is to decide whether you want to use a carrier oil or an alcohol base. Witch hazel is a popular choice for an alcohol base because it evaporates quickly, leaving the active ingredients on the skin.”
“Then, add about 10 drops of your essential oil of choice for every 2 tablespoons of your base of choice (carrier oil or witch hazel). These essential oils are strong, so use with caution,” he warns.
“Put all the ingredients together in a small dish and mix well. Make sure the essential oils are evenly mixed throughout the mixture. Carefully pour the mixture into a spray bottle so you can easily apply it to your skin or clothes when you're out and about.”
“Before you start using the product on more parts of your body, test it on a small area of ​​skin first to make sure you don't experience any adverse reactions. If there are no problems, apply the repellent liberally to exposed skin and clothing, especially around the ankles and lower legs where ticks tend to attach.”
Equate Witch Hazel Astringent, 16 fl oz
Rose Geranium Essential Oil
Verona Lavender Essential Oil
3. Get rid of mites with eucalyptus oil
Another great scent Natural Pest Control Methods and eucalyptus oil, CEO Jeremy Yamaguchi added. Lawn Love.
“My favorite homemade tick repellent is diluted eucalyptus oil. Add 20-25 drops of eucalyptus oil to 8 tablespoons of water in a spray bottle and spray all over clothes, skin and pets. Eucalyptus oil not only repels ticks, but also kills them.”
“Make sure you dilute it or it's not safe to use on you or your pets,” he warns.
Olaprima Eucalyptus Essential Oil
FAQ
How can I keep my yard tick-free?
There are a number of ways to keep ticks out of your garden, including using natural repellents such as plants that ticks dislike, and keeping animals out of the garden with a sturdy fence. You can also help keep tick populations down by avoiding overgrown areas where ticks can hide, and by attracting natural predators such as birds and hedgehogs into your garden.
What attracts mites?
Ticks are naturally drawn to areas with overgrown grass or thick shrubs where they can hide. Ticks also love heat and are naturally attracted to carbon monoxide, which is why they cling to us and our pets as we walk by. We can't stop breathing or sweating, which underscores the importance of using repellents and covering your skin when you're in areas where ticks may be present.
If you are bitten by a tick, it is important to see a specialist, who will help you remove the tick from your skin without leaving behind debris that can later become infected. Do not scratch or rub the area until you have treated it, and keep the area clean to prevent complications.