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Natural Tick Repellents For You and Your Pets
Posted on May 28, 2026
These are a couple of natural tick repellents, including one without essential oils that is safe for use on pets. Please share these with your family and friends. We need to stick together and stay healthy. This season is the worst tick season out there. It is pretty bad. And, Lyme Disease is not the only concern. With Lone Star ticks and others carrying alpha-gal, Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), which can make you allergic to red meat, dairy, and more, it’s important to be careful.
We want everyone to be safe. This is personal for Zephyr Thomas, since one of the owners has had Chronic Lyme Disease for a very long time. It is a devastating disease if not caught early. In our owner’s case, it took years before she was able to begin treatment for Lyme, and the search for a cure or relief still continues.
Prevention is near and dear to our hearts. There are several repellents available, including some natural remedies you can DIY. Here are some natural remedies you can try for tick repellent:
1. Witch Hazel and Essential Oils
In a 2 oz. bottle, combine:
• 1.2 oz. Witch Hazel
• .5 oz. Distilled Water
• .02 oz. Jojoba Oil (this helps it stick to the skin)
• 10 drops Cedarwood Essential Oil
• 4 drops Geranium Oil
• 2 drops Lemongrass Oil(great for repelling mosquitoes)
Make sure you shake up the bottle every time you use it.
FYI, Cedarwood affects a tick’s ability to function. It disrupts a tick’s nervous system. Acts as a repellent and affects the tick’s ability to attach.
Geranium oil is a tick repellent, which confuses a bug’s sense of smell, so it’s harder for them to find you. However, this is mostly for other bugs because ticks are attracted to the heat from your body as well.
Ticks are allergic to Peppermint essential oil. There is a company that sells Terra Shield, which seems to work well mixed with these other oils.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar and Essential Oils
For this tick repellent recipe, you will need:
• 2 oz Apple Cider Vinegar
• A splash of Jojoba Oil or liquid Coconut Oil
• 10 drops of Lemongrass Essential Oil
• 6 drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil
• 6 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
• 6 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil
There are a lot of options that can work well. Here is a list of essential oils that ticks hate and most bugs, too:
• Cedarwood
• Citronella
• Tea Tree
• Peppermint
• Eucalyptus
• Lavender
• Geranium
• Cinnamon
• Orange
• Lemon
Make up your own version using any of these or all these essential oils. Spray a little on the skin as a testing area to see if you have an allergic reaction to the oils. Be careful with anything citrus-based in the sun, as there can be a reaction with the UV, and you may sunburn more easily than you normally do. Also, everyone is different and has different health concerns, so make sure you ask your doctor before using any natural method.
3. A Tick Repellent For Pets
Your pets need protection, too. Even if you’re using preventatives, it’s not a bad idea to have a repellent you can use for them if you’ll be going on a hike with your dog or walking near wooded areas, or areas with tall grass, or even just out in your own yard. However, most essential oils are not good for pets. Here is a tick repellent recipe you can use for them:
Add the following to a small pot/pan:
• 2 cups of water
• 2 TB Dried Rosemary
• 2 TB Dried Thyme
• 1 TB Dried Basil
Then:
1. Bring to a boil.
2. Turn to exceptionally low heat.
3. Steep for 30 minutes.
4. Cool.
5. Then strain the liquid (you can use a strainer, coffee filter, etc.).
6. Put it in a spray bottle.
7. Shake before use, and spray your pet.
If you do find a tick on yourself or other family members after being outside, you should contact a healthcare provider immediately if:
• You are unable to completely remove the tick.
• The tick was likely a deer tick, and you live in or travel to an area with high rates of Lyme disease (common throughout Pennsylvania).
• You suspect the tick had been attached for 36 hours or more.
In these cases, a doctor may prescribe a single preventative dose of antibiotics, like doxycycline. A lot of people say that this is not enough, and that you need 6 to 8 weeks on an antibiotic.
The best thing you can do is protect yourself and prevent a bite as much as you can. In our area, the tick population has grown. Please apply repellents before going out, even in your garden or your front lawn.
