This month has been all about preparing for summer, hasn't it? That wouldn't be complete without one more topic: ticks! I absolutely LOVE that my essential oils can help protect me, my family and my animals from disease-carrying ticks. There are several essential oils that ticks especially dislike. Make sure to have them on hand (and USE THEM) any time you will be in tick habitat.
First, some advice from backwoods experts on how to avoid offering ticks a free ride!
How to AVOID Ticks
Wear panty hose under pants
Don't walk in high grass
Keep your grass cut
Don't sit on logs -- sitting on a log for only 5 minutes increases your risk of ticks by 30%!
Wear a hat when walking in the woods
Wear tight braids, pony talks or bun (not loose)
Wear clothing that covers the skin and has elastic on the wrist and ankles
Wear footwear that can be tightened at the ankles
Tuck your pants into your socks.
Walk in the centre of nature trails.
Shower within 2 hours of returning indoors.
You can see why these experts are not renowned for fashion advice! But, joking aside, some of these tips are easy to follow (keep grass cut, don't sit on logs, wear a hat in the woods), but other tips are not. I am unlikely to wear panty hose under pants or shorts, and I am just as unlikely to tuck my pants into my socks! Thank GOODNESS we have some really effective essential oils that ticks HATE!
Keep Ticks Away
The insect repellent recipes that I shared last week are a good start. But, there are some specific oils that are particularly good at repelling ticks. Those are Geranium, Cedarwood and Vetiver. Below you will find a recipe for a MASTER BLEND of these oils, as well as instructions for diluting the blend into a topical ointment or spray.
Master Tick Blend
Add to an empty 15 mL bottle: 125 drops Geranium, 125 drops Cedarwood 60 drops Vetiver
Close the bottle (remember to use an orifice reducer or a medicine dropper top), and shake well to combine all the oils.
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Make an Ointment
This is for exposed skin. 90% Fractionated Coconut Oil 10% Master Tick Blend
For example, if you want to make a 15 mL bottle, add 30 drops of the Master Blend and then fill the rest of the bottle with FCO
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Make a Spray
Use the spray for clothing, shoes and hats. 25% grain alcohol 72% distilled water 3% Master Blend
For example, if you want to make a 100 mL spray bottle, add 3 drops of the Master Blend, then add 25 mL grain alcohol and 72 mL water.
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Note: don't get too worked up about exact measurements. Approximations are fine.
Be creative if you don't have all three oils! Use whichever ones you have to create your blend. If you only have one of them, use that one to create your ointment or spray.