How To Make An All-Natural Tick Repellent Spray
June 4, 2020
source: YouTube/Kelly from Primally Inspired
Although there are many wonderful things about summer, the one big downside is dealing with insects – especially ticks. You don’t want a tick biting you for multiple reasons, the main one being the possibility of contracting Lyme disease. And Lyme-carrying ticks aren’t just found deep in the backwoods. They can be found at your local park, in any field with long grass, and even in your own backyard. That’s why it’s important to protect ourselves and our families from ticks in any way we can.
Fortunately, making a tick repellent spray (and one that’s all natural) is pretty simple. Ticks absolutely despise the smell of cedar. And cedar is commonly found in essential oil form. To make a DIY tick repellent spray, mix together 15 to 20 drops of cedar essential oil, 1/2 cup of water, and a splash of witch hazel. Transfer the solution to a spray bottle and spray on your clothes and skin prior to spending time outdoors.
Please note that the majority of essential oils are extremely harmful to pets, and can even be fatal. This spray should not be used on any animals. For an animal-friendly tick repellent, you should consult your veterinarian. Additionally, note that since ticks are usually found at ground-level, they commonly attach themselves to people’s feet, ankles, and legs. If you are venturing out somewhere that you think ticks may be, it’s always a safe bet to wear socks, close-toed shoes, and long pants.
When coming inside from being outdoors, you should always check your skin closely for ticks. If you do find that a tick has bitten you, click here for detailed instructions on how to safely remove it. You should also put the tick in a sealed Ziploc bag and bring it to your family doctor, who will be able to test the tick for Lyme disease. By taking the appropriate precautions, we can all do our best to protect ourselves from potentially harmful ticks this summer!