Ticks, who doesn’t hate them? I mean, I hear some people like them, but I don’t. There’s just nothing appealing about these little bloodsucking creatures. So, when a friend asked me which natural tick repellent was the best to purchase, I had to give her some feedback. Ticks are the worst. They latch themselves onto you and suck your blood until they’re about their size, then fall off of you, and live for a few days until they die. It’s no wonder that many people want to know the best natural tick repellent for humans. If you’re one of them, read on to learn all that there is to know about ticks and how to keep them from attaching to you in the first place. I invested a lot of time into finding the best natural tick repellent for humans. I’ve tried all the commercial ones, both on my own skin and on my dog. The most effective one I’ve found is called Tick Off. It’s a blend of essential oils that repel ticks by attacking the senses which ticks rely on when trying to track their victims down.

Best Natural Tick Repellent For Humans

Introduction

Essential oil spray.

• To make this tick repellent spray:
• Add 1 cup of water to a spray bottle.
• Add 20 drops each of essential oils lemon eucalyptus and lemongrass oil. (Don’t worry, these are not the only options! You can add any combination of essential oils you like.)
• Shake well to combine the ingredients. Apply liberally to your clothes and skin before heading outdoors. You should reapply every few hours if you’re going to be outside for a long time, or after swimming or bathing because chlorine in pools and showers can wash away repellents on your skin. Don’t apply this mixture directly to your eyes or mouth, but if you do get it in those areas accidentally, use soap and water as soon as possible afterward. Store this mixture at room temperature out of direct sunlight; don’t keep it longer than three months since some essential oils lose their potency over time.* If you get bitten by a tick (and find out about it), remove the tick carefully with tweezers (don’t scratch). Use soap and water right away afterward because infected ticks can spread disease if they’re left on too long.*

Garlic juice detergent.

If you’re a fan of the taste of garlic, then this repellent option won’t be a problem. It’s commonly used in natural tick repellents because it is effective at keeping ticks away from humans and animals alike. A study published by the University of Florida showed that using garlic juice as a repellent on dogs can reduce tick populations by up to 90%.

• Safe for humans and animals
• Safe for plants

Essential oils.

Essential oils are natural, safe and effective against ticks. They don’t harm humans or pets, the environment, wildlife or other animals. You can use them in many different ways to repel ticks on yourself, your children or even your pet!

Essential oils have been used for centuries as a way to protect people from ticks and they work great at doing so without causing any harmful side effects. There are many different types of essential oils that you can use but some of our favorites include lemongrass oil (if you want something citrusy), eucalyptus oil (if you prefer something minty), peppermint oil (if you want something spicy), cedarwood oil (which smells like Christmas tree balls) and lavender oil which is most commonly used because it smells so good!

There are health risks associated with many commercial tick repellents

There are many commercial tick repellents on the market, but there’s one thing they have in common: they’re not natural. In fact, many of them may contain chemicals that can be dangerous to humans and animals alike. While it might seem like a good idea to use a product with a high concentration of DEET (the most common active ingredient in commercial tick repellents) or permethrin (an insecticide used for lice and flea control), these chemicals come with their own set of health risks.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends avoiding any insect repellent containing more than 30% DEET if you’re applying it directly to your skin or putting it on children under age 2. The EPA also warns that this chemical has been shown to cause neurological damage at high concentrations. Permethrin poses additional risks because it needs several hours after application before you can wash your clothes or bathe safely (and even longer if you’re pregnant). Picaridin is another problematic ingredient; although considered one of the safest options by many experts, some studies suggest there could be an association between picaridin use and skin cancer risk. IR3535 has also been linked with some mild side effects such as eye irritation and headaches when used in high concentrations over long periods of time (though these symptoms are usually temporary).

Conclusion

As this article explored, there’s no single best way to repel ticks. However, it should be clear by now that there are plenty of excellent natural remedies out there—all you have to do is find the right one for you. The first step is probably the easiest: just do your research and figure out what’s going in each repellent. At that point, the choice is pretty easy: if you don’t mind some extra effort or a little DIY action, go for a homemade solution; if not, buy something commercial and pour it on! Either way, we hope that this article has cleared up any confusion about what ingredients are safe (and unsafe) to use when making your own repellent—and that you feel confident tackling your tick problem head-on! Good luck!