10 Natural Tick Repellents and Their Effectiveness Explained

Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus

All the experts I spoke to agreed that it’s safest to stick with EPA-approved skin-applied tick repellent products, as they are proven effective and safe when used as directed. One natural tick repellent idea that fits this bill is pre-mixed Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (30%).

David Price, Associate Certified Entomologist and Vice President of Strategic Growth at Mosquito Joe, explains that OLE repels ticks for up to 6 hours in most situations. “However, it isn’t recommended for children under the age of three,” he says.

Craig Sansig, Associate Certified Entomologist and Public Health Entomologist and Service Director of Viking Pest Control, points out that it also contains low doses of a compound called PMD (para-Menthane-3,8-diol), which nursing mothers should avoid.

Sansig also cautions against relying on OLE or other natural tick repellents in areas with high incidences of tick-borne illness, such as the northeast with Lyme disease. “I would recommend utilizing DEET or Picaridin due to their proven effectiveness, improved durability, and long history of use with minimal adverse reactions,” he says.

Metarhizium Brunneum

Metarhizium brunneum or Metarhizium anisopliae fungus is a natural tick repellent for use in the environment rather than on your skin. While you could sprinkle the granules around your yard, be aware that this is not an EPA-approved product. “Studies of its effectiveness have had mixed results both in the laboratory and in field trials,” Kait Chapman, an Extension Educator of Urban Entomology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, says.

Garlic Oil

Garlic oil has shown some repellency to ticks. However, Chapman points out that it only offers protection for less than an hour, so you would need to reapply frequently, and it is not EPA-registered. Also, Price explains that it repels but doesn’t kill ticks. “This allows reproduction and greater risk for increased disease transmission,” he says.

Catnip Oil

Some studies suggest that catnip essential oil can be an effective skin-applied tick repellent, and it is also EPA-registered. However, you might not want to slather this type of homemade bug repellent on your skin if you are hiking in cougar country, as the scent has also been shown to attract wild cats.

Other Essential Oil Blends

“A blend of essential oil[s] has proven effective with ingredients of cinnamon oil, clove oil, 2-Phenylethyl Propionate and geraniol,” Price says. “However, most of the time, the blend isn’t correct or a person or pet will have an allergic reaction.”

Sansig cautions that he would be suspicious of many plant essential oil-derived repellants. “Due to decreased regulation on the manufacture of EPA-exempt plant oils, there is very little oversight of the products’ manufacturing, and no proof of effectiveness is required to sell these materials in most states,” he says. “If you do decide to utilize a plant essential-oil-based products, I would stick with those manufactured by well-known brands if at all possible.”

Mowing and Pruning

Mowing your lawn regularly and trimming back small trees, tall grass and shrubs is an effective natural tick repellent idea. Doing this as part of an integrated pest management system (alongside other natural strategies) can help prevent a tick explosion in your yard. “This will help by reducing something for the ticks to grasp while awaiting a host to walk by and latch onto,” Price says.

This is a more effective strategy than introducing tick-repellent plants. “Most plantings will not protect homeowners as the ticks will simply move to other nearby plants that don’t repel them,” Sansig says.

Using Mulch or Gravel Borders

Price recommends creating a 3-foot band of mulch or gravel between your lawn and any surrounding tick-filled woodland. “This will help in reducing migration of ticks to the apron of the wood line,” he says.

Keeping Rodents at Bay

Taking steps to keep rodents away from your home and yard is another way to keep ticks at bay. “Field mice and small rodents are a tick’s first host and typically carry borrelia burgdorferi, which is the pathogen that carries Lyme disease,” Price says. He recommends stacking wood neatly and in a dry place to discourage field mice harborage, and Sansig suggests controlling weeds in your yard, as the seeds are a food source for mice.

Don’t Encourage Wildlife in Your Yard

You will add another effective natural step to your integrated tick-preventing pest management strategy by simply not feeding wildlife in your yard. “Deer, foxes, raccoons, and opossums become the second [tick] host, and denying them access will reduce a migration in your yard,” Price says.

The Right Clothing and Regular Inspections

When spending time in tick-prone areas outdoors, Chapman recommends wearing long pants tucked into long white socks to prevent ticks from latching onto legs. The white socks will allow you to spot any ticks and remove them before they find another access spot. “Placing clothing into a dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes can kill any ticks lingering on clothing,” she says.

She also points out that “nothing is a better substitute for preventing tick bites and tick-borne disease than regular, full-body tick checks after spending time outdoors.” That includes inspecting your pets and immediately safely removing ticks—even if you have been proactive about using preventative treatments. “Many people get ticks when pets are allowed on furniture and beds, where they become dislodged only to then utilize people as a host,” Sansig says.

About the Experts

• Kait Chapman is an Extension Educator of Urban Entomology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Insect Science and Master’s in Entomology at the University; email interview, 5. May, 2025.

• David Price is the Associate Certified Entomologist and Vice President of Strategic Growth at Mosquito Joe, a Neighborly company; email interview, 5. May, 2025.

• Craig Sansig is an Associate Certified Entomologist and Public Health Entomologist and Service Director of Viking Pest Control; email interview, 6. May, 2025.

The post 10 Natural Tick Repellents and Their Effectiveness Explained appeared first on Family Handyman.

For top-notch cleaning services, look no further than mj cleaning services, where quality and customer satisfaction are our top priorities. Whether you're in need of a one-time cleaning or ongoing maintenance, m j cleaning services offers a wide range of options to suit your requirements. With a reputation for excellence, m.j. cleaning services delivers professional and reliable cleaning solutions to ensure your home or office stays pristine and welcoming.