How To Repel Ticks With A Simple But Overlooked Solution

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

They say that good things come in small packages. Unfortunately, terrible things can too, and ticks are one example. Tick-borne illnesses are on the rise across the globe, affecting both humans and animals with a range of problems. Some illnesses, like Lyme disease, are well known, with the CDC finding that as many a 476,000 people could be diagnosed every year in the United States. Other sicknesses are gaining attention, too, like alpha-gal syndrome, which causes severe allergies to red meat, among other foods. Nobody wants to return home from a leisurely stroll to find they've been bitten by a tick, but it can feel like a balance to find ways to repel ticks that are still safe for the environment, as well as kids and pets. Instead of opting for conventional tick spray or products with questionable chemicals, you may be able to use geranium oil to keep ticks away. 

Before grabbing a vial of geranium essential oil, it's important to understand what this oil is and how it might protect you and your home from ticks. Geranium essential oil comes from plants in the Pelargonium genus. Through a process of steam distillation, the fragrant plant compounds can be extracted and concentrated into those tiny brown bottles you've likely seen on store shelves. One study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry found a geranium oil sample repelled more than 90% of lone star tick nymphs. When studied more closely, one compound from that oil showed tick-repelling power similar to DEET – one of the most powerful current insect repellents. You'll need to dilute geranium oil first with a carrier, though, before using it on skin or clothing.

While geraniums are one long-blooming flower people plant to repel ticks, the essential oil made from this plant is much more concentrated. To create your own tick repellent, add between 10 and 30 drops of rose geranium essential oil to a 4 oz. spray bottle like these Dark Amber Glass Spray Bottles. Next, add 4 tablespoons of witch hazel or 3 tablespoons of water and 1 tablespoon of vodka. As the witch hazel or vodka evaporates, it will help disperse the scent. If you'd like, you can also add other essential oils such as lavender, lemon, cedarwood, or even garlic. Shake the mixture well, then spritz and rub a small amount onto areas like your ankles and lower legs, where ticks tend to hitch a ride. As an added bonus, this spray could also guard against mosquitoes, gnats, and other annoying bugs!

Be sure to test a small spot before spraying all over yourself or your clothing. Some people could have sensitive skin, or you may find that the oil leaves marks on some fabrics. It's also important to remember that while this method may seem pet-friendly, you should never apply any essential oils directly to pets.

Keeping pests like ticks out of your yard can seem impossible when they're so tiny. In addition to using geranium oil on clothes and skin, it's also possible to use a spray in the most suspicious areas around your home. Think tall grass and woodpiles, where ticks are likely to hang out while waiting for a host to pass by. While removing excess brush or wood piles is the ideal solution, spraying diluted geranium oil around these tick-prone areas may offer an extra layer of protection in the interim.