Ticks will hang from blades of grass and are found in thick shrubs and under leaves.

As we approach the time of year when everyone goes out to enjoy the weather, concern over lyme and other tick born diseases comes to mind. We have been looking into some natural repellents and have a few good suggestions.

First thing to be aware of is how the ticks get on you in the first place. Ticks crawl. They do not fall from branches and are easily deterred by clothing barriers. They are found most often in unmown areas of tall grass, leaf debris and shrubs where they wait to attach to a passing animal or person.

To avoid being bitten if a tick decides to crawl up your leg, tuck your clothing in to create a barrier for your skin. Wear long pants. Tuck your shirt into your pants. Tuck your pants into your socks.

Unless you are laying on the ground or have your body touching the grass, leaves or shrubs the ticks will climb up your legs.  I wear a pair of smooth boots which the ticks cannot hold onto to climb onto my body.  If a ring of carrier oil containing –drops of rose geranium essential oil around the boot,  ticks will not cross the barrier. As an alternative, If you apply a ring of petroleum jelly  or all natural Waxalene, Ticks will not be able to climb onto your body from your boots.

As a further precaution the following is a good all natural tick oil which can safely be applied to skin or clothing.

Tick repellent oil

• 10-25 drops essential oil. Try lavender, rose geranium (for ticks), coriander seeds, peppermint, cajeput and citronella
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon aloevera gel (optional)
• Combine the ingredients in a glass jar; stir to blend. Dab a few drops on your skin or clothing

Tick repellent oil for dogs

• Rose geranium essential oil

Dogs can tolerate a small exposure to non-toxic essential oils.  Rose geranium essential oil is basically non-toxic. Place a drop on your dogs collar each week.

Ticks hate rose geranium.  This should help deter them from attaching to your dog.

I would apply this oil on the collar as well as spraying with one of the following solutions.

Tick repellent spray for people and dogs

Peppermint is great to repel ticks. The smell is refreshing to people but ticks hate it.  A spray repellent can be made by mixing 10 drops of peppermint essential oil to 8 ozs of water.  Mix well. Spray onto clothing, pets and if you would like around your deck or patio. You could also brew a pot of peppermint tea, strain into a spray bottle and use this if you do not have the essential oil available.  Make sure the tea is organic.

I use the essential oil spray to repel mosquitoes and so far it has worked really well.  You have to frequently re-apply but it will not harm you or your dog.