Insects that belong to the arachnid (spider) family, ticks are tiny insects that bite humans and other animals. Ticks come in a plethora of colors and patterns. The bacteria and viruses carried by many of them are capable of causing serious illnesses like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease.

Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Aro... Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Around

Ticks can be hard to avoid if you spend time outside in nature. Tick repellent can be extremely beneficial for those who prefer going to the beach, hiking, or visiting parks. Many commercially available tick repellents contain chemicals. In the event that you prefer a more natural approach, there is a wide range of essential oils available that can be used to prevent tick bites.

Citronella is best known to be effective to repel mosquitoes, but it is also effective at repelling fleas. Fleas, ticks, and other insects are repelled by the scent of these lovely flowers, which contain a natural chemical called pyrethrum.

Resistant plants with strong scents such as eucalyptus, lavender, clove, citrus, peppermint, and citronella are effective repellents. The ability of cedar beds to repel fleas is one of the reasons why they are so popular. Fleas are not killed by the scent, but they are effectively deterred by it.

The essential oil of citronella can be applied topically to a dog’s skin to kill ticks that are already present and to prevent new ticks from settling and biting.

Ticks are repelled by citronella oil, and tick eggs are prevented from hatching. The use of citronella oil on your dog’s skin can help to soothe it and prevent infection. To make your dog’s shampoo smell better, add 5-10 drops of undiluted citronella essential oil.

Besides being an annoyance, ticks can also be potentially hazardous to one’s wellbeing. The black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis), which is also known as the deer tick, has been linked to the transmission of Lyme disease; therefore, if you have a tick infestation in your yard, you’ll want to take precautionary measures to keep your family and pets safe from being bitten by a tick.

On top of being registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as an insect repellent, citronella oil has also been found to be effective at repelling ticks, so combining the two will result in a beneficial combination

One thing to keep in mind when using essential oils is that they should never be applied directly to the skin without first being diluted with another substance such as almond oil or water. Make sure to do your research on the oils you intend to use, and it’s always a good idea to spot-test new products on a small section of skin before applying them more liberally. Essential oils are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so consult with your doctor before using them, and make sure to purchase oils from a reputable source at all times.