Folk remedies for ticks. How effective are they?

What are ticks afraid of?

Pest activity is observed in the first month of spring. The earth is only warming up to 10 degrees, they can be seen in summer cottages. Often in dachas you can find ixodid ticks, which act as carriers of encephalitis, Lyme disease and other diseases.

Important! A tick bite is sometimes not accompanied by pain, but the dangerous virus enters the bloodstream. Only studying the pest under clinical conditions will make it possible to confidently declare its danger to health.

The effectiveness of essential oils against ticks: fact or fiction

The belief that ticks are afraid of the smell of essential oil is based on the fact that arthropods actually avoid the treated area for the first two hours. But to be fair, it’s not the scent that repels ticks. They are afraid to crawl into fresh oil. And they have a reason for this: it can block their spiracles. The tick can suffocate from lack of air and is therefore afraid to crawl through the oil stain. Once the product dries, the smell will not stop the parasite.

In the same way, wood ash is mistakenly used against ticks, believing that it kills parasites. Arthropods really don’t like ash as much as they like oil, but it doesn’t even scare them away. If necessary, the tick will pass through it. It just sticks to his tactile bristles on his paws and causes inconvenience.

Thus, the effectiveness of aromatic oils as a tick repellent has been greatly exaggerated. They work a little better against mosquitoes. And it is best to use them to protect children from mosquitoes indoors.

Pharmacy products

Even if you follow all safety rules in the forest, there will still be a risk of getting bitten by a parasite. To be absolutely sure, it is necessary to treat clothing and exposed parts of the body with a tick repellent.

Acaricidal agents include the insectoacaricide alphamethrin. The aerosol preparation provokes paralysis in pests, and they simply fall from things. According to reviews, the most effective means are:

• Taiga-Anti-mite spray;
• Milbiol;
• Anti-Tick Picnic;
• Allergof;
• Tornado;
• Reftamide;
• Gardex Extreme.

The drugs are extremely active and harmful, so it is recommended to apply them to clothes, wait until the clothes dry, and only then put them on.

Repellents help prevent contact with pests. Having sensed diethyltoluamide, they crawl away. The drugs will protect against parasites for 5 days. They are not very toxic, so they can be applied to clothing and exposed parts of the body. The most common:

• Extreme;
• Gardex;
• DEFI-taiga;
• Gal-RET;
• Reftamide.

These products can be used to protect yourself not only from ticks, but also from mosquitoes and other harmful insects. They can last more than 7 days.

Insecticidal and repellent components retain the properties of 2 groups:

• Gardex Extreme;
• Medilis-comfort;
• Moskitol Special protection against ticks;
• Kra-Rep;
• Kaput tick.

Tick ​​repellents for humans

The main purpose of the repellent is to repel ticks, preventing their death. For this purpose, formulations are produced that differ in composition and release form. The main chemical component performing this function is considered to be Diethyltolumide. But it can be replaced by other components.

The concentration of the active substance is considered important in the effectiveness of the product. The higher this indicator, the more effective the product is considered. When visiting places where there is a high probability of encountering blood-sucking insects, experts advise using repellents with a concentration of active substance of 30% or more. When determining the best tick repellent for humans, researchers identified products from the following manufacturers.

One of the best repellents is Off Extrim spray. It helps repel ticks and other insects that are dangerous to human health and live in forests. The effectiveness of the action is achieved due to the content of 30% N-diethyltoluamide. The advantage of the composition is considered to be a pleasant aroma for humans, as well as the absence of greasy stains after use.

This spray can be used in several ways. To apply to the body, spray a small amount of product onto the palm of your hand and then apply it to the skin. This action should be performed no more than twice a day. Otherwise, there is a high risk of allergies.

The repellent is also effective on clothing. This procedure is performed from a distance of 15–20 cm from the tissue. And no more than three times a day. According to the manufacturer's instructions, the effect lasts for 5 days after application. This product is not recommended for children. Before use, adults should check their skin for sensitivity to the active substance.

Repellent Deta-Vokko can be used on clothing and exposed skin. But it is necessary to completely prevent its contact with mucous membranes.

In addition to them, there are other, slightly less popular means:

1. The drug Biban-gel is often recommended for the protection of children, since it belongs to toxicity class 3–4. The only limitation to use may be individual intolerance.
2. Raftamide maximum is considered another safe broad-spectrum agent. One of the advantages of the composition is considered to be a pleasant smell for humans, as well as the absence of marks on clothes after drying.
3. Ultramon is considered one of the strongest remedies in this area. Originally created for the needs of the army, this drug has a longer lasting effect and is not washed off with water or sweat. Therefore, it is in demand among geologists, fishermen, foresters and representatives of other professions who spend a lot of time in forests and meadows.

When choosing a repellent, several conditions must be taken into account. First of all, these are age and health characteristics. For children, pregnant and lactating women, and people with sensitive skin, it is worth choosing a product based on natural ingredients with minimal toxic effects. It is also worth considering the time spent in nature. The higher the risk of a tick getting on your skin or clothing, the more intense the protection should be.

Preparations for application to clothing

There are a large number of tick repellents. The traveler needs to choose directly liquid formulations - aerosols, sprays and concentrates, since they are sprayed onto clothing. In pest control, this is extremely important: ticks penetrate a person at approximately the level of the grass, then crawl upward along clothing - this is where they need to be caught. Creams and lotions will stain clothes; they can only be applied to the skin, but such protection will not be enough.

Bay leaf decoction

Bay leaves contain a large amount of essential oils that provoke an extremely negative reaction in ticks. You can use essential concentrated bay oil. It must be added in the amount of 2 drops to clothes. Ticks will not dare to attack.

Tar

Each folk method is based on a general principle: a pungent odor that is repugnant to ticks. Such “flavors” include tar. A few drops of birch tar are added inside the container for spraying plants with a spray bottle. Clothes are treated with this composition before each outing.

Geranium infusion

To prepare the tincture you will need:

1. Take 3 tbsp. l. crushed plant leaves.
2. Pour 0.5 tbsp. vodka (40% alcohol).
3. Leave for a week at room temperature.
4. Strain.

The product is sprayed on clothing to protect against pest bites. Used along with lavender and eucalyptus oils. It is a safe alternative to chemical treatments for ticks. It is allowed to be used in children when it is established that there is no allergic reaction to geranium.

Making your own repellents

Among the recipes for home remedies for ticks, there is often advice to mix essential oil with water. This is possible, but we must remember that water and oil are immiscible fractions. Before each use of such a product, you need to shake it well, although it will still be difficult to achieve uniform distribution of the product over the sprayed surface.

It is much more effective to use emulsifiers, that is, substances that can dissolve oil:

• ethanol;
• vinegar;
• cheap vegetable oil.

Vinegar slightly enhances the effect of the anti-tick agent, but does not help for long: about 10 minutes until it dries.

Clove oil, as it is very strong, can be mixed with baby cream at the rate of 20-30 drops per 1 tube. In this form, the smell will last longer than when sprayed with an aqueous emulsion, since rubbing the cream into the skin increases the time of evaporation of essential substances. The cream should be odorless.

How to make alcohol sprays

For an alcohol solution against ticks, you need to take 2 teaspoons of any essential oil and dilute them in a small amount of alcohol. Add a glass of water to the resulting solution and pour everything into a spray bottle. Instead of alcohol, you can use vodka, but then you will need more of it and less water.

Treat clothes with such sprays before going into the forest. The resulting composition can theoretically be used to treat the territory, but its cost will ultimately be much higher than industrial products based on synthetic insectoacaricides.

Vinegar based spray

This spray is more convenient to use on the skin. Dilute 15 drops of aromatic oil in 4 tsp. vinegar and add 2 tbsp. l. water. Pour the composition into an eau de toilette bottle. It should be applied in the neck area, making sure that the spray does not get into the eyes. The spray can be stored in a hermetically sealed bottle for up to 6 months.

Oil based composition

2 tbsp. l. any purified vegetable oil plus 15 drops of essential oil. The resulting composition is often used to treat smooth surfaces of window frames, mosquito nets, etc. To protect against ticks, lubricate shoes and hands. But we must take into account that oil leaves greasy marks on things.

How to dress for ticks in the forest?

Even when it is extremely hot outside, when going to a forest area, it is optimal to wear closed clothing. Such a measure will provide an opportunity to escape not only from ticks, but also from other harmful insects. In summer trousers and a shirt you will not feel the heat, but will provide protection from ticks.

Socks with a tight elastic band are chosen, pants are tucked into boots, and outerwear is tucked into trousers. The cuffs and collar fit snugly to the body. A hood or scarf is put on the head, and the hair is tucked under the headdress.

For those who like to be in the forest, or their professional activities involve prolonged exposure to nature, there are special encephalitis suits. Their characteristic feature will be the strength of the material, which the tick will not be able to bite through. Some varieties of such suits are additionally treated with agents that repel pests. This will help protect against bites.

Contraindications to the use of folk remedies

Despite the fact that all folk recipes consist of natural ingredients, they can be dangerous to human health due to individual intolerance.

1. Before using any of these products, it is advisable to do a sensitivity test. To do this, apply a little product to the inside of the wrist or elbow. If after a day a red spot, irritation, itching, or acne appears on the skin, it is better not to use it.
2. Pregnant women and young children should not use products with a strong odor that contain alcohol or vinegar.
3. Products containing oils or vinegar can damage clothing made of synthetic fabrics or parts and leave stains. It is better to give preference to things made from natural fabrics and not to spray mixtures on them.
4. Avoid contact with mucous membranes, do not give to children.

With the help of folk recipes it is impossible to protect yourself one hundred percent; with their help, the risk of contracting encephalitis is significantly reduced. But we must remember that periodic inspections and closed clothing are also effective measures to protect against ticks.

Folk remedies for animals

Pets are no less susceptible to tick attacks. In thick fur it is difficult to find a pest that can jump onto a person. In fact, every method that is used for preventive purposes in relation to humans is also suitable for animals. It is not recommended to use vinegar-based products on pets, as they will lick their own fur.

Important! Folk remedies for pests will quickly disappear, so during a long walk it is recommended to apply protective tinctures and sprays after 3 hours.

Vanilla-based tincture

It is necessary to combine 100 g of alcohol or high-quality vodka with 2 g of vanillin. The product is infused for 7 days in a closed container. Before going outside, the product is rubbed into the pet’s abdomen, paws and withers.

For preventive purposes against pest bites, vanilla is sometimes used in its natural form - the animal should be sprinkled with powder on all sides, rubbed into the fur. The protection will remain until swimming.

Scented collar

In addition, it is possible to protect the animal with the help of a scented collar. Products used directly for walking outside must be smeared with tea tree oil. It is not recommended to wear such a collar all the time.

Garlic cologne

This method is useful for pets who roam around the countryside. You will need the following components:

• peeled large clove of garlic (or 3 small ones);
• water – 2 l.

The product is being prepared:

1. The head of garlic is grated (to chop, you can use a garlic clove).
2. A similar mass is added to water and infused in a dark and dry place for at least 8 hours.
3. Next, the solution is filtered and 2 liters of water are added.

You can lubricate the pet’s collar or fur with the product in question (only in inaccessible areas where he cannot reach on his own, for example, on the back or at the withers) and spray the dacha area.

Onions can be considered an alternative to garlic; the effect will be similar.

Pyrethrum spray

Pyrethrum is a pest control powder that is popular due to its natural ingredients. It is not toxic to animals. It is noted to be highly effective against mites. No chemicals are used in the preparation process; the composition is entirely made from ingredients of natural origin.

To prepare the mixture, you will need 6 tbsp. l. Dilute the product in 1 liter of water. The insecticide can also be used as a powder. For example, when ticks enter a tent through the entrance, it is possible to sprinkle powder near it.

Pyrethrum is a contact insecticide. After the active ingredient penetrates the tick’s shell, it enters the body, causing deviations:

• the functioning of all internal organs will be disrupted (the action is determined by impaired transmission of impulses);
• paralysis will occur, the remedy will deprive the pests of the ability to move.

In view of this, the number of adult insects will significantly decrease, and the surviving individuals will lose their reproductive function.

Wormwood infusion

To prepare the product in question, you will need:

1. Pour 50 g of wormwood leaves into 0.4 liters of water, boil and then cool.
2. Filter. Pour into a spray bottle.
3. Spray the animal if necessary.

Natural remedies that are aimed at preventing tick bites in pets have a number of requirements. When creating them, it is prohibited to use alcohol, cologne and vinegar.

The use of modern protective equipment will make it possible to prevent tick attacks. According to their own action, they include substances that are poisonous to pests or repel them (sometimes both actions are used at once). Now there is a large selection of chemical preparations for ticks, which have different uses and different costs.

The basis of folk remedies for ticks

Most often, the basis of a folk remedy for ticks for people and pets is one of the following elements:

1. Birch tar – has a pungent odor that repels ticks.

2. Vanillin – a harmless natural preparation against blood-sucking parasites. Its smell is almost unnoticeable to humans, but it effectively fights attacks by blood-sucking insects.

3. Essential oils – have a strong odor and are used in deterrents. The essential oils of eucalyptus, geranium, palmarosa, lavender, mint, rosemary, thyme, basil, and tea tree have a pronounced scent.

4. Garlic – insects and ticks, and some people cannot stand its smell. Mixtures with added garlic will protect your body. But you should not use it for rubbing in its pure form, this can lead to burns.