I just saw this this am, and it sounds great. For those with IC, I would spray this on clothes, not your skin though:
It's summer! Time for camping, hiking and getting outside to play. Don't let those pesky annoying ticks stop you. Here's how with a simple homemade solution!
Repellent for your pets:
For pets, add 1 cup of water to a spray bottle, followed by 2 cups of distilled white vinegar. Ticks hate the smell and taste of vinegar, and will be easily be repelled by this ingredient alone. Then, add two spoonfuls of vegetable or almond oil, which both contain sulfur (another natural tick repellent).
To make a repellent that will also deter fleas, mix in a few spoonfuls of lemon juice, citrus oil, or peppermint oil, any of which will repel ticks and fleas while also creating a nicely scented repellent. Spray onto the pet's dry coat, staying away from sensitive areas including eyes, nose, mouth, and genitals. When outdoors for an extended period, spray this solution on two to three times per day.
For you and your family:
In a spray bottle, mix 2 cups of distilled white vinegar and 1 cup of water. To make a scented solution so you do not smell like bitter vinegar all day, add 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. (I WOULD USE LAVENDER FOR THOSE WITH IC)
Eucalyptus oil is a calm, soothing scent that also works as a tick repellent, while peppermint and citrus oils give off a strong crisp scent that also repel ticks.
After mixing the solution, spray onto clothing, skin, and hair before going outdoors. Reapply every four hours to keep ticks at bay, and examine your skin and hair when back inside to make sure no ticks are on the body.
Comments
Thanks for this. I have been
Thanks for this. I have been freaking out about ticks ever since I thought I had Lyme and the percentage of ticks carrying Lyme or other mean beasties in the MD/VA area is so scary. I feel totally naked without repellant and have been wondering what to do, and haven't been walking in the woods as much as I'd like for that reason. Now I'll be able to go walking without feeling so paranoid.
Also, if it works on my cats it will save me a TON of money. So I'm very grateful for this information :)
Thank you Dr. Brizman!! Would
Thank you Dr. Brizman!! Would this also be acceptable for pets and pet bedding and shoes-especially for my family members that want to take our new puppy out where the deer walk?
It is from Dr. Mercola's veternary expert:
Here are the natural Brazilian oils and ingredients found in Natural Flea & Tick Defense:
There’s one very important point I want to make about these ingredients … it’s not the individual elements that make Natural Flea & Tick Defense so effective, it’s the expert blending and balancing of the Brazilian oils with the pure water. This is what distinguishes a natural effective product from just a natural ingredient.
Results from a 2006 study did show how the Natural Flea & Tick Defense formulation was well tolerated by cats. This is a very important distinction for this product. I’ve seen my share of kitties in my practice that were injured through the improper use of an essential oil their owner thought couldn’t possibly harm them.
http://shop.mercola.com/product/natural-flea-and-tick-defense-8-oz-per-b...
If we don't excel at health, the only other option is disease.
I would put it around their
I would put it around their bedding instead of in their bedding so they dont lick the essential oils, which, could make them sick.
Dr. M,
Dr. M,
Any suggestions for mosquitos?
Heather
catnip essential oil on the
catnip essential oil on the socks or citronella essential oil on the socks. IT should be plenty to keep the mosquitos away and far enough away from your nose to not effect you. But, pay attention and make sure.
Dr. M, Thank you for the
Dr. M, Thank you for the reply about the mosquitos!!!