Tick season is coming – are you ready? Make this effective homemade tick repellent with simple ingredients that is safe for the whole family!
This Homemade Tick Repellent is….
- Quick
- Simple
- Chemical-free
- Smells great!
- Safe for whole family (pets included!)
Ticks are a plentiful during the summertime, when people and pets are outdoors enjoying the beautiful weather. Though most tick bites are harmless, some can lead to serious infections and diseases, such as spotted fever and Lyme disease. If you are venturing out during tick season, take a bottle of homemade tick repellent to keep those buggies at bay!
Most store-bought tick repellent is chock full of chemicals that are sprayed directly onto skin. Whether you are experiencing skin issues or would prefer to limit your exposure to synthetic particles, a homemade tick repellent is the perfect solution to offer safe and clean protection.
There are two types of homemade tick repellent you can make: one for you and one for your pet! Essential oils may not react well with your pet’s skin, so it is best to avoid applying them. However, when diluted, essential oils have many helpful properties for humans.
Choose essential oils that are herbal, floral, or citrusy – everything a tick hates! They also dislike the strong aroma of garlic essential oil. For our topical homemade tick repellent, we chose peppermint because we love the smell. Try mixing different oils together to come up with your signature scent.
If you feel discomfort or irritation after applying the homemade tick repellent, wash the area with warm soapy water and do not reapply. Consult your healthcare provider before further use.
Ingredients
Water – The base of most repellents, including store-bought ones, is water! It is one of the most versatile substances on earth. Water is the perfect carrier for the potent essential oils to showcase their repelling power. You can also switch out 1/4 cup water for witch hazel for a soothing effect.
Apple cider vinegar – Ticks do not like the acidity of apple cider vinegar, both from smell and taste. Mixing it with water helps disperse it at a wider range and prevents irritation when it comes in contact with your or your pet’s skin.
Essential Oils – Essential oils are concentrations of different plants, distilled into a liquid. They are used for their powers of aromatherapy, general wellness, and cleaning, to name a few. Essential oils are used according to their individual qualities. Since ticks are repulsed by herbal, citrus, and floral scents, those are the ones I use in my homemade tick repellent for an extra fighting boost.
How to make homemade tick repellent
Topical Use (Humans Only!)
Step One: Measure ¼ cup water into a 5oz spray bottle.
Step Two: Add ¼ cup apple cider vinegar into the bottle. If using essential oils, add 10 drops each after the vinegar and shake to combine.
Step Three: Spray onto skin and clothes, avoiding the facial area. Reapply every hour while adventuring through tick territory.
For Outdoor Areas & Pets
Step One: Measure 1 cup water into a 16oz spray bottle.
Step Two: Add 1 cup apple cider vinegar into the bottle. Shake to combine.
Step Three: Spray onto around outdoor areas and on pets (avoiding eye, nose, and mouth area). Reapply every hour while out of doors. If skin irritation occurs on pets, stop use immediately.
Storing your homemade tick repellent
You want to make sure to store your tick repellent in a closed container to keep it fresh. (My two cents? A glass bottle like in the picture above – that way you can just put a spray nozzle on it whenever you’re going to use it.)
If you then store that closed container in a cool, dark place away from sunlight (think a cabinet or a pantry), then it should keep for up to a year. Of course, if mold or other buildup occurs inside the bottle, discard immediately.
*Note – Store homemade tick repellent in a cool, dark cabinet for up to a year. If mold or other buildup occurs inside the bottle, discard immediately.
Variations
Flowery – Add 10 drops of your favorite floral essential oil, (lavender, rosemary, geranium), to the spray bottle.
Citrus – Add 10 drops of your favorite citrus essential oil, (lemon, lime, grapefruit), to the spray bottle.
Savory – Add 10 drops garlic oil to the spray bottle. You’ll keep both the ticks and vampires away!
FAQ
Essential oils are excellent tick repellents. Simply dilute a few drops of essential oil in a small spray bottle filled with distilled water, then spray around your body and clothes.
For repellent to use on your body, mix distilled water, apple cider vinegar, and essential oils in a small spray bottle. For use in an outdoor area or on pets, mix distilled water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and use accordingly.
Ticks do not like herbal or citrus scents, such as lavender, rosemary, mint, and lemon. They are also repelled by garlic oil!
Yes! Apple cider vinegar can repel ticks from your pet or garden area because they dislike the scent and acidic nature of the vinegar.
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PrintHomemade Tick Repellent
Tick season is coming – are you ready? Make this effective homemade tick repellent with simple ingredients that is safe for the whole family!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
Topical Use (Humans Only)
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
10 drops essential oil
Outdoor & Pet Use
1 cup water
1 cup apple cider vinegar
Instructions
Topical Use (Humans Only)
Measure ¼ cup water into a 5oz spray bottle.
Add ¼ cup apple cider vinegar into the bottle. If using essential oils, add 10 drops each after the vinegar and shake to combine.
Spray onto skin and clothes, avoiding the facial area. Reapply every hour while adventuring through tick territory. If skin irritation occurs, stop use immediately.
For Outdoor Areas & Pets
Measure 1 cup water into a 16oz spray bottle.
Add 1 cup apple cider vinegar into the bottle. Shake to combine.
Spray around outdoor areas and on pets (avoiding eye, nose, and mouth area). Reapply every hour while out of doors. If skin irritation occurs on pets, stop use immediately.
Notes
Store homemade tick repellent in a cool, dark cabinet for up to a year. If mold or other buildup occurs inside the bottle, discard immediately.
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