Natural Tick Repellent Recipe

Heather Dessinger

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Natural Tick Repellent - Safe for kids and pregnant/nursing mamas

Ticks can really suck the fun out of a beautiful morning spent planting elderberries, taking a walk by (or rather, through) the creek . .

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Or watching my four year-old swoon over my husband’s newest acquisition.

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And of course I literally mean suck. Because ticks are more than just a nuisance – they can carry serious illnesses like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

As part of our plan to wipe them off the face of the earth create a safe space for my kids to play, my husband and I are in the process of adding diatomaceous earth and garlic spray to their play area. (About 1 pound DE per thousand square feet of yard, in case you were wondering!)

We’re also adding to our flock of tick terminators – aka guineas and chickens – and because there’s no way even two dozen birds will catch every single tick, we’re making good use of our homemade tick spray as well.

Why Not DEET?

N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) is the usual go-to for commercial bug spray. It’s incredibly controversial, and for good reason. Recently Dr. Abou Donia, a Duke University pharmacologist, found that “rats treated with an average human dose of DEET (40 mg/kg body weight) performed far worse than control rats when challenged with physical tasks requiring muscle control, strength and coordination.” (source)

In the same study, Dr. Abou Donia found that DEET caused “neurons to die in regions of the brain that control muscle movement, learning, memory and concentration.” (source) The pharmacologist says that children are at a higher risk for brain changes after DEET exposure because their skin absorbs it more readily.

Fortunately, there’s a natural alternative. This study found that geranium oil works comparably to DEET in repelling ticks. The species used (Pelargonium graveolens) comes from a French island and is only produced in very small quantities, but another species (Pelargonium x asperum) is easy to find and widely regarded by aromatherapists as helpful for repelling ticks.

Additional essential oils that repel ticks

If you search on the EPA’s guide to insect repellents, you’ll find that when you specifically search for repellents for ticks it lists three oils as active ingredients that can be selected –catnip (Nepeta cataria), citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) and lemon eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora).

Is this recipe safe for kids and pregnant/nursing mamas?

Yes, geranium bourbon (Pelargonium x asperum), catnip (Nepeta cataria), citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) and lemon eucalyptus essential oils are kid-friendly and also safe for pregnant and nursing women. However, I will say that catnip is pretty stinky so I’ve never used it. I’ve primarily used geranium bourbon and citronella up to this point, but have also ordered some lemon eucalyptus to try since it was mentioned by the EPA.

For more information, check out this article on safe essential oils for babies and children and this one on safe essential oils for pregnant and breastfeeding moms. Also, leftover citronella oil can also be used to make outdoor candles – here’s how.

Should I mix my essential oils with oil or water?

It’s really up to you. Water-based formulas can be sprayed on skin or clothing without causing oiliness. On the other hand, oil-based formulas require fewer applications than water-based versions because they last longer. Lotion lasts longer than water-based formulas and is less oily than oil-based formulas, but it’s not as easy to apply. I’ve included options for all three below.

TICK SPRAY - Contains an essential oil that one study found to be comparable to DEET in repelling ticks. It's safe for kids over two and pregnant/nursing mamas.

Natural Tick Repellent Recipe

This recipe is targeted specifically toward ticks, but is also helpful with mosquitos. Like my all-purpose homemade bug spray, it’s safe for children over two and pregnant/nursing mamas. (Note: Though I don’t apply this directly to my 16-month olds skin, I do spray his clothes when we are going outside.)

Water-Based Version

Ingredients

To Make

Because essential oils don’t mix well with water, start by adding your geranium oil to the apple cider vinegar, witch hazel or vodka. Add a squirt of castile soap if desired and allow it to sit for a couple of minutes before giving the mixture a stir. This will disperse the essential oil in the liquid. Add water and pour into a spray bottle, preferably one made of glass or PET plastic. (Essential oils can leach chemicals from some plastics, and we don’t want that!)

To Use

Shake well before use. Spray on skin or clothes before going outside.

Lotion-Based Version

Ingredients

To Make

Mix oil and essential oils together and add to a spray bottle, or better yet an oil mister that is less likely to clog. Store in a cool, dark area when not in use. Should last 2-3 months.

To Use

Spray directly on skin before going outdoors.

Oil-Based Version

Ingredients

To Make

Mix oil and essential oils together and add to a spray bottle, or better yet an oil mister that is less likely to clog. Store in a cool, dark area when not in use. Should last 2-3 months.

To Use

Spray directly on skin before going outdoors.

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About HEATHER

Heather is a holistic health educator, herbalist, DIYer, Lyme and mold warrior. Since founding Mommypotamus.com in 2009, Heather has been taking complicated health research and making it easy to understand. She shares tested natural recipes and herbal remedies with millions of naturally minded mamas around the world.