Ticks are parasites that feed on the blood of animals and humans. They are very minute and do not fly or jump. They differ in size and color depending on whether it is a male or female and on many other things. Tick bites can make humans ill because some ticks contain toxins in their saliva and when they bite, the toxins enter the body.

Sometimes, it can lead to ailments like Lyme disease. There are several products available in the market that repel ticks as well as other blood sucking pests such as mosquitoes and fleas, but these products are costly and no more effectual than the simple home remedies. Discussed below are a few effectual home remedies to repel ticks.

Various Home Remedies To Repel Ticks

White Vinegar

White vinegar is an effective natural tick repellant. Make a solution of white vinegar (two cups), water (one cup) and any essential oil preferably peppermint and eucalyptus oil. Fill this mixture in a spray-bottle.

You can spray this mixture on your hair and body before going to an outdoor area, which might have ticks. Make sure to re-apply once in few hours because the scent of the solution may diminish. Keep the vinegar mixture away from eyes, nose and mouth.

Protective Clothing

It is important to wear protective clothing, whenever you explore areas like parks or woods, where there are plenty of bushes, trees and tall grasses. Always choose to wear long pants and insert the cuffs in the long socks. A long-sleeve shirt tucked in your pants and secured by belt would be ideal clothing.

Also, try wearing light-colored clothing, so that it is easy to spot ticks in case they cling onto them. It is also advisable to wear tightly woven clothes because it will be difficult for them to hang onto them.

Neem Oil

Neem oil is widely used in the traditional Ayurvedic treatments. It is obtained from an evergreen tree and can be effectively used as a repellent for ticks.

You can use a few droplets of the oil directly on the skin, which will repel the ticks. You can buy this oil from online or any health food store.

Garlic Pills

This works wonders and deters ticks naturally. The garlic smell wards off the ticks and they scram away once the ticks catch a whiff of garlic odor. However, this remedy puts off many people due to the all-day garlic smell in their breath.

To avoid this problem, you can take odorless pills, which will still repel ticks whilst keeping the smell to minimum. You can pick these pills at the supermarket, local pharmacy or health food store.

Natural Insect Repellent

Try using effective repellents. Squeeze sufficient amount of sunscreen and blend it well with eucalyptus oil (10 drops). Apply this paste on the skin. The eucalyptus oil smell deters ticks and hence a potent repellent that works against them. Besides, citrus scents are one of the time-honored insect repellants.

You can prepare this natural repellant by boiling lemon and orange peels in water. Once it is cooled, you can fill it in spray bottle. Spray this mixture on your clothing, tents, sleeping bags, knapsacks and shoes/boots. These natural repellants will not only give protection against ticks, but also other insects like mites, mosquitoes and chiggers.

Home Remedies to Repel Ticks