Will peppermint oil repel ticks completely? Here is comparing the myth to scientific findings.

A whole lot of remedies are applied for tick treatment. You want to repel these parasites as effectively as you can.

While this is important, success entirely depends on the use of a remedy that works.

Peppermint Tick Control

One commonly mentioned tick remedy is peppermint oil.

Does it have any repellent effect on ticks? This is what we seek to find out.

Peppermint is rumored to keep ticks at bay through its strong scent which they hate. These pests include ants, aphids, mice, boxelder bugs, roaches, bed bugs, spiders, wasps, gnats, moths, and head lice.

Others are spiders, stink bugs, fruit flies, and fleas.

Using Peppermint Oil For Ticks

Essential oils easily come to mind as natural repellent products for a wide range of insect pests.

So, can the same be said for peppermint oil on ticks?

Does it have any repellent effect? If you conduct an online search, you’re likely to find many claims confirming the efficacy of peppermint oil on ticks.

However, most of such claims only rely on anecdotal evidence with little scientific proof confirming its repellent effect. So, which do you believe?

While seeking to keep ticks at bay, you’re only interested in what works and how best to apply it.

Peppermint May Repel Ticks

With no definite confirmation on its efficacy, it’s safe to say that peppermint oil may solve your tick problem.

But why use something that isn’t proven when several other essential oils have been tested to provide the repellent effect you need?

Alternatives To Peppermint Oil

Based on available studies, several essential oils are effective tick repellents. These range from a combo of citronella and thyme, cedar, oregano, red thyme, tea tree, clove bud, neem seed, and lemon eucalyptus.

So, how do these work and how are they used?

You’ll want to stick around to find out.

  • Combo of Citronella and Thyme Essential Oils

In a bid to find answers, none confirms the efficacy of citronella oils as an insect repellent better than the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval of it.

Thyme oil is a potent inclusion making this combination an effective tick repellent.

To apply this to your surroundings, you’ll need to make your remedy consisting of 5 drops of thyme oil and 12 to 15 drops of citronella oil to water. This solution is shaken or mixed before application on the skin.

Now, there’s a tendency to find the solution not properly mixed as it consists of oil and water.

You’ll need to add some soluble which serves as a dispersing agent. If you feel this method will be stressful to prepare, simply find a carrier oil and have it mixed with these essential oils before applying it to the skin.

The repellent effect you seek will be noticeable within a short time.

  • Oregano Essential Oil

Oregano oil is one other essential oil that gives you the needed repellent effect against ticks than peppermint oil. It can be applied on the skin with significant results noticed in little time.

However, you’ll need to be cautious in your usage of this oil. Some people react adversely to essential oils due to irritations.

You’ll need to apply to a small area or patch on your skin first. This gives you an idea of what the effects will be like when applied to all parts of your skin.

Caution must be exercised not to apply concentrated oregano oil on the skin. Rather have it diluted in a carrier oil.

  • Red Thyme Essential Oil

This is an essential oil you should try out in place of peppermint oil. Red thyme oil contains an active ingredient known as carvacrol, known to give it its repellent effect.

To make your tick repellent, you’ll need to add a few drops (about 3 to 5 drops) to any carrier oil of your choice. The volume of the carrier oil should be about 2 cups.

  • Clove Bud Essential Oil

Another alternative to peppermint is clove bud oil.

This has been used with impressive results showing it actually does work as a tick repellent. Like most essential oil repellents, you’ll have to prepare them in readiness for application.

What you need is an ounce of water, soluble as a dispersing agent, and about 11 to 15 drops of clove bud oil. When added, the ingredients are mixed and can be sprayed around tick-infested areas.

Another alternative way to use is by applying it directly to the skin.

You’ll need to use a carrier oil of your choice to help dilute or reduce its strength before applying it to the skin. As always, there’s a need to test for skin irritations.

As such, first, apply onto a small patch and observe for a few minutes before applying to your body.

  • Neem Seed Essential Oil

A lot of times, neem seed oil has been used with great results on ticks found on livestock. To prepare this repellant, you’ll need to mix equal parts of the carrier oil of your choice and neem.

In cases where the tick is seen on the skin, you won’t need to dilute this essential oil.

Rather have it applied directly around the affected area. Before long, you should be able to easily dislodge them from their feeding spots on the skin.

  • Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil

There’s also lemon eucalyptus oil to try out. Like other ones listed above, this essential oil dislodges ticks from the skin, thus serving as an effective repellent.

However, it isn’t advisable to apply directly to the skin without diluting with a carrier oil. Get about 4 ounces of water into which 15 to 20 drops of this essential oil are added.

To avoid phase separations, you’ll need to add about 4 drops solubol to every drop of lemon eucalyptus oil used.

These Methods Should Serve Your Needs

We’ve seen that there’s no strong evidence backing the efficacy of peppermint essential oil as a tick repellent. In its place, we’ve provided a list of alternative oils that have been proven to get the job done.

With such options, you have the freedom of using whichever you want.

Now that you know, you can easily combat your tick problems through the natural methods listed above.

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