Fed up with ticks this season? Read on for my DIY Tick Repellent Spray using essential oils!
If you live in the New England area, or anywhere where ticks are heavily populated, you might notice we seem to be having a bit of a “tick overload” this season. Where we live in Connecticut, we’re surrounded by the woods. And while we always have had our fair share of ticks, this year is seriously out of control. Never have I had live ticks walking around inside of my house ::: shudders::: Yes. I’m serious. My little Avery goes on ‘tick hunts’ throughout the house. He’s actually gotten quite good at finding them. He will call me over and then we flush “Mr. Tick.” While this does sound pretty funny, he’s actually gotten to be deathly afraid of them. My poor baby.
I knew I had to do something. We were all constantly scanning the house for those little buggers, and they really creep me out! I have a few different essential oils in my house, so I did some research in an attempt to create our very own Tick Repellent Spray.
DIY Tick Repellent Spray
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 oz amber glass spray bottles
- Plastic pipette droppers
- Peppermint essential oil
- Eucalyptus essential oil
- Lemongrass essential oil
Directions
- Place 7 drops each of the peppermint, lemongrass, and eucalyptus essential oils into your amber glass bottles using the plastic pipette droppers.
- Fill the remainder of bottle up with water.
- Download and print bottle labels.
- Cut out labels and adhere to bottle with tape.
- Shake well before use.
- Spray tick repellent on clothing (especially shoes) before going outside.
- This spray is safe to use on dogs, however, cats might be too sensitive.
You can adjust this recipe based on the size of your glass bottles, using more or less of the essential oils. I was really impressed with the fragrance of this spray. It’s very light and not too overpowering.
Because both Lincoln and Avery are very aware of the ticks this season, I included them in making this little concoction. Once we were finished, I gave both boys a bottle and let them spray the outside of our door frame and patio area — hoping to keep the ticks outside.
So, now the big question. Does it work? While I still am finding the occasional tick inside of our house, it’s usually already dead. I don’t know if it’s necessarily the spray that’s keeping them out or not…but it certainly can’t make any worse than it already was!
How are you protecting your family against ticks this season?
Want to have the BEST SUMMER EVER?! Check out this Printable Summer Bucket List, featuring 100 FUN ideas for families!
UGH! FINALLY, I can do something about all of these ticks! Sometimes, it hurts when you pluck them.
Oh I can’t wait to make this and try it! Thanks for sharing! I have pinned it!
I agree about the over abundance of ticks this year. I live in northern New Hampshire and I am also finding them everywhere. Thank you for the tick repellent recipe. I will get a lot of use from it because we are big hikers.
I will definitely try this. Thank you for sharing.