Ticks can carry several diseases – not just Lyme. It was believed it took 24-48 hours of attachment for disease to transmit, but we now know that some diseases (such as Powassan virus and Rickettsia rickettsii can transfer in only 10-15 minutes. (1, 2) In fact, the minimum attachment time for disease transfer of Lyme has never been established. (3) The best way to prevent tick-borne disease is to prevent ticks from attaching in the first place.
DEET is commonly use for prevention. Our family has opted to use natural products instead, because DEET is connected with:
– sensitization and allergic reaction (4)
– toxicity when swallowed and should never be applied on the hands, face, or broken skin (5)
– Neurotoxicity in those exposed to Gulf War chemicals (6)
– Encephalopathy and seizures in children (7, 8)
– Seizures when combined with pyridostigmine bromide (9)
We use a salve from Earthley called Pest Aside that contains neem oil and is safe for ages 6 months and up. I have found that this lasts longer than a spray. If you prefer a spray, Quantum Health Buzz Away is an option. It uses cedarwood, geranium, lemongrass, and citronella to repel ticks. Please note it does contain peppermint and wintergreen, which is not safe for infants. Both of these are natural, but they smell strong, so apply them once you’re outdoors.
You can also make your own tick repellent using these instructions from Tisserand.
Our own backyard is where we encounter the most ticks. My daughter has been picked up a tick just from running through our yard to the car. Because of this, we spray our yard every few weeks throughout tick season with Wondercide Flea and Tick Yard Spray. It uses 12% cedarwood oil to kill and repel ticks.
You can also make your yard uninviting to ticks by keeping your lawn trimmed and gardening with plants that repel ticks, such as marigolds, lavender, lemongrass, mint, thyme, catnip, and garlic. (10)
If my kids have been rolling around in the grass, we do a tick-check at the end of the day. It’s just become routine for us. If we’ve been hiking, we do a tick-check before getting in the car and a more thorough check once we get home.
I came across information on an herb called cistus (Mediterranean Rock Rose) that is commonly used in Europe. Cistus has many benefits, from helping with cold and flu symptoms, to breaking down biofilm in diseases like Lyme, to repelling ticks and mosquitoes. Unfortunately, you need to drink about 2 cups of it for 7 days before it makes your skin smell strongly enough to repel ticks. This smell isn’t strong enough to be noticed by humans. A cistus tincture may be easier to take, and capsules are also available. This was hard to find in the United States, but I found a cistus tincture. On many European sites, I found products with dried cistus that could be added to pet food. Many herbs are toxic to cats, but cistus is safe. (11, 12, 13) Cistus teas, tinctures, and sprays may be a decent option, although difficult to find in the States.
Before we moved to rural Missouri, I never saw a tick. Here, I have seen people wrap their shoes with tape inside-out, and the tape is covered in ticks by the end of their hike. Some areas are blessed to have few-to-no ticks while other areas are infested.
There are many ways to repel ticks. If you still find yourself with a tick embedded, make sure you know how to safely remove it and how to decrease your chances of tick-borne disease. Read my post When Ticks Bite to learn more.
Do you have any natural tick repellents your family employs? Let me know if you’ve had success!
Sources:
1. https://danielcameronmd.com/long-take-infected-tick-transmit-lyme-disease/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4278789/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4304077/
5. https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/toolkit/DEET.pdf
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8637057/
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11339626/
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11063364/
9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10416276/
10. https://diyherbgardener.com/plants-that-repel-ticks/
11. https://www.biokoma.com/blogs/blog/rock-rose-herb-cistus-incanus-natural-protection-against-ticks
13. https://oliveandroseessentials.com/how-to-use-cistus-tea-to-repel-ticks
Note: some links are affiliate links. Read my disclaimer to know more.
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