Natural Deer Tick Repellent

After seeing so many Arogya patients dealing with Lyme disease over the past 18 years, I admit I get stressed when I visit the woods, even though it should be a calming and relaxing experience.  It’s terrifying how real the threat of tick exposure is- just last year, we pulled them off our daughter Rose’s skin 3 times.  As a result, ticks have become evil in my mind and I’m always researching ways to repel them.

This led me to create a very simple, chemical-free repellent using apple cider vinegar, almond oil, rose geranium, and distilled water. 

Deer Tick Repellent with All-Natural Ingredients

Research has shown that ticks are repelled by the smell and acidic taste of apple cider vinegar.  The same is true of the rose geranium, which has a sweet yet pungent odor (you’ll probably find it quite pleasant!).  Almond oil contains sulfur, which is a natural repellent.  Its scent is also a deterrent.  Distilled water is best to use in place of tap water as it contains far fewer impurities and microorganisms.

Here’s how to make this deer tick repellent:

Ingredients:

Instructions:
  1. In a large jar, mix the water and vinegar.  Add the almond oil and rose geranium oil.  Cover the jar and shake well.
  2. Pour into a spray bottle and apply before going outdoors.  Make sure to apply some to your ankles, arms, and neck/behind the ears.  You can even spray some into your hair.  Reapply every few hours as needed.
  3. Don’t miss your daily tick-check once you come home!

Important Note: While this natural solution repels ticks it is by no means a substitution for daily tick checks in areas where there’s a high occurrence of Lyme disease.  Important areas not to overlook when checking for ticks are ankles, behind the knees, thighs, groin area, upper arms/armpit area, neck, and behind the ears.  FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY.

Additional precautions to take to safeguard against tick bites are:

  • If you have pets that venture outside, check them for ticks when they come into the house.
  • If you’re spending a lot of time in the woods, make an effort to wear light-colored clothing.  This makes ticks easy to see.  Long sleeves and pants tucked into higher socks can provide additional protection.  Also, tie back long loose hair or tuck it under a hat.

For more information on DIY repellents using other essential oils, check out this Arogya blog.

by Wei Bertram