Essential Oils We Tried And Would Not Recommend
We tried out six popular essential-oil repellents, and with all of them it was impossible to know how much repellency to expect, and for how long. Testing them also gave us insight into another potential drawback : They have extremely strong odors. As Zwiebel put it, you end up smelling like a rotten fruit basket. We much prefer the nearly odorless picaridin formulas that weve tested. Mosquitoes arent the only ones who rely on olfactory cues when deciding who to hang out with.
DoTerras TerraShield takes ambiguous labeling to a new level. The words bug, insect, and repellent are oddly absent from the and the label. Instead, you can find vague references to outdoor protection and environmental annoyances. There is no indication of how much to apply, how often, or even if the substance is a repellent at all . Customer reviews tell a different story: Nearly all of them describe its efficacy against mosquitoes and other insects, and at least one says, I would recommend this to anyone looking for a DEET alternative.
The Amazon page for Mexitans Skedattle All Natural Anti-Bug Spray states that the formula is 16 TIMES AS EFFECTIVE as DEET bug repellents. What does that even mean? That it lasts 16 times as long? That it blocks 16 times the number of receptors? Its likely well never know. We reached out to the company multiple times via email and did not get a response.
Why Essential Oils Lack Of Epa Oversight Matters
Any insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin must undergo extensive, consistent testing under the EPA’s product-performance test guidelines, the result of which is a legally binding label on the bottle. That label includes the ingredients, the time of protection, toxicity information, and specific instructions on use and disposal. The tests give you a clear understanding of the repellent, as well as an underlying assurance that its safe for use on adults, children, or animals. The EPA categorizes essential oils as a minimum risk pesticide, so they dont undergo this testing. Without it, you cant confirm whats in the bottle, whether its safe for use, or how effective it is. This also leaves the door open for misleading marketing claims. As Zwiebel told us, I am very concerned about the lack of regulatory oversight and the ability to disinform or in some cases completely misinform consumers. There is a lot of mayhem out there in the field.
People think they are being protected from biting insects and ticks with these products and they are not protected. Leslie Vosshall, professor of neurobiology at The Rockefeller University
Does Tea Tree Oil Kill Fleas
Veronika Viskova / Getty Images
There are many “all-natural” remedies that are touted as being effective in killing fleas and essential oils are often posed as alternatives to medications. Fleas are bothersome, bite you and your pets, and carry diseases, so it’s good to prevent them and kill them if you find them. But not all treatments are safe and effective. Many pet owners used tea tree oil to treat fleas, but it’s important to know whether this oil is going to actually work and not cause harm to your pet.
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Can I Safely Use A Tea Tree Solution On All Of My Pets
The answer is no. The popularity of this oil has resulted in almost all households having a bottle handy on a shelf. However, just because it has useful properties have been extolled through the media and via anecdotal evidence, it does not mean that it is safe to use on all your pets.
Improper use of tea tree oil does have the potential of causing real harm to your family and your pets. That being said, provided you follow the following safety precautions, it is very good solution for fleas on dogs, people and in the home.
Speaking of storage, you should keep it in a safe place and preferably in the dark, as it can have its potency reduced if exposed to sunlight. Lastly, although it is unlikely, if you have any skin irritation please discontinue use immediately.
Use the correct concentration: Even though tea tree oil is safe for topical use on dogs and people, this only applies if you are using it in the correct strength. If you use too much, it will still kill or repel fleas, but you will also setting yourself up for potential health risks. This is serious, please dont ignore this warning because it is a natural product.
Do not use on or around cats: There are commercial shampoos and sprays available for cats that contain tea tree oil, and this may make you believe that its possible to just whip up a concoction at home. The truth is that the dilution ratio for topical application is very low .
How Do You Make A Tick Repellent From Tea Tree Oil
Despite the lack of solid evidence or studies completed on tea tree oils ability to repel ticks, there will be some who prefer to use this natural remedy as opposed to a product containing DEET. Be sure to follow a few guidelines to create the most effective and safe tick repellent.
It is important to remember that tea tree oil, while natural, can be toxic or irritate the skin. Do not apply tea tree oil directly to the skin. If you are putting a drop directly on a bug bite, this should be fine but for more general uses it needs to be diluted with a skin-friendly oil as your base, like coconut or jojoba oil. To make a rub-on tick repellent add two parts of the base oil of your choice to one part of water. Then add two ounces of tea tree oil to the substance for every liter of liquid.
If you prefer a repellent that will spray well, use 2 cups of vinegar, 1 cup of distilled water, and 10 drops of tea tree oil. This can be added to a spray bottle and used as a natural bug repellent. While some sources will tell you to put a drop of tea tree oil on a tick that is feeding on your skin, never do this. The oil could send the tick into shock and cause it to release bacteria-filled saliva into the wound.
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But Can Tea Tree Oil Kill And Repel Fleas
When diluted and used safely, tea tree oil can kill and repel fleas. But it is among the herbal treatments listed as especially risky in the Merck Veterinary Manual. This is because tea tree oil is difficult to dilute properly in home kitchens.
Commercially available formulas for pets contain only 0.1 to 1 percent tea tree oil. Even if you measure everything precisely and shake the bottle before spraying it on your dogs coat, it is easy to apply more than intended. If your cat or dog licks the oil off, which pets tend to do as they groom, your pet could get very sick.
Store-bought shampoos containing tea tree oil have very small amounts of tea tree oil. The product is formulated so that the oil is evenly distributed, reducing the toxic risk to pets.
What Is The Best Natural Tick Repellent
Tick repellents made from natural ingredients
- Essential oil blends
- garlic oil, for example. Garlic oil repellents make use of essential oils obtained from garlic plants to keep insects at bay. Metarhizium brunneum or Metarhizium anisopliae are fungi that grow in the soil. There are several types of fungus that grow in soil and have the ability to repel or kill ticks.
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Cons Of Using Peppermint Oil To Repel Ticks
- Peppermint oil can be irritating to some people
- It needs to be reapplied more frequently than repellants containing DEET, usually around every 30 minutes
A word of caution. Do not attempt to use peppermint oil to remove a tick that has latched on to you. This may cause them to release more bacteria causing saliva, which could lead to illness.
What Are Some Safer Alternatives For Repelling Fleas
One home remedy that may be safer than tea tree oil is diatomaceous earth. This is a long name for fossilized algae. It works by creating holes in bugs like cockroaches, snails, fleas, and even some kinds of worms. Diatomaceous earth has long been used around vegetable gardens to keep bugs out and is often fed to horses and livestock to help treat intestinal worms. Since it is safe to consume in specific quantities , it is much safer to use on your pet than something like tea tree oil, which is toxic when ingested even in small quantities.
If you choose to administer a home treatment like diluted tea tree oil, please consult your veterinarian first. Your doctor not only knows the science but also is familiar with your pet and your lifestyle, and can help you make the best choice for your family.
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Tea Tree Oil For Tick Control
The best part about essential oils is that they arent toxic and are environmentally friendly. This article seeks to find out if one of the essential oils tea tree oil repels and kills ticks. Tick issues have become a growing concern for many households.
As organic solutions to tick problems grow, several essential oils are being considered.
The Properties Of Tea Tree Oil
The oil that is extracted from the tea tree plant is translucent. Furthermore, its known for its characteristic aroma, along with the multiple chemical components that give it antibiotic and antiseptic properties.
It has toxic effects if its ingested, however, so internal use for humans or pets is not recommended. However, the intense scent of this oil will repel fleas and ticks from the skin of your pets. Youll be able to observe them on the floor either instantly or within a few minutes.
- Firstly, apply a few drops of this oil to a cup of warm water. Then, add this mixture to your pets regular shampoo.
- Finally, this will create an effective natural tonic. Use it when you bathe your pet and youll watch the fleas and ticks fall off!
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Different Kinds Of Ticks
Here is quite a long list of ticks around the country that you may encounter.
American Dog TickThe American dog tick has a dark brown body that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever. They are located east of the Rocky Mountains, throughout the East and Gulf Coast, along the Pacific Coast, into Canada and parts of Alaska.
Blacklegged Deer TickThis tick is most easily identified by its reddish-orange body, black shield and dark black legs and they are known to carry lyme disease. This seems to be the most common tick in the United States. These ticks do not only surface during the warm months but in any weather that is above freezing. They are located anywhere animals might be but usually they transfer to humans that are in contact with grass, brush, leaves, logs or pets that have been roaming the outdoors.
Brown Dog TickThe brown dog tick is a reddish brown with a narrow shape in comparison to other ticks that can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever to humans. They can also transmit several diseases specific to dogs.
Groundhog TickThe groundhog tick, also known as woodchuck tick, has a light brown or blond color. They normally attack wild animals but can bite humans and domestic pets as well.
Lone Star TickThis tick is reddish-brown in color with the adult female having a white dot or lone star on her back. These ticks are very common in the south but can be located in the east as well and are notoriously aggressive biters.
If you do happen to get bit by a tick,
Tea Tree Oil Dog Spray Recipe
Tea tree oil essential oil tick repellent is another way to repels parasites including fleas and ticks. Tea tree oil can also help eliminate worms and fungal infections such as ringworm. Mix a few drops of tea tree with water and spray your dog daily to keep away ticks and fleas.
**Ask your vet before using tea tree oil on cats!**
There are so many tea tree oil uses and fleas and ticks are just one!
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What Kind Of Bugs Does Tea Tree Oil Repel
Essential oil extracted from tea tree Tea tree oil is a multipurpose oil that is recognized for its antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory characteristics.Additionally, studies have shown that it is an efficient insect repellent, which adds to the oils long list of useful attributes.The product is most effective against mosquitoes, bed bugs, dust mites, lice, ticks, bees, ants, and spiders.
Diseases Transmitted By Fleas And Ticks
These insects are ectoparasites that are very small and tend to live in colonies. They feed mainly on the blood of the host, where they stick to the skin and leave small pustules at the site of their bite.
These parasites are capable of causing inflammation and itching at the site of the bite in humans. Having these parasites in the home can also lead to the risk of contracting certain diseases that can be very harmful to your health.
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How Does Tea Tree Oil Work
Terpenes are specific components of tea tree oil that have been found to be beneficial. One terpene found in tea tree oil is called terpinen-4-ol and it is known to have antibacterial and antifungal effects in people through the activation of white blood cells. 1,8-cineole is another type of terpene found in tea tree oil that has shown to be relatively effective in killing various types of parasites, and limonene, yet another type of terpene, has been found to specifically kill Ctenocephalides felis, the species of flea most commonly found on pets.
Different types of terpenes are found in various plants and are also responsible for the way a plant smells. This means terpenes are responsible for essential oils having strong scents but they also work in the endocannabinoid system within the body. The endocannabinoid system helps regulate many bodily functions but research is ongoing to fully understand exactly how this system works. The terpenes are why tea tree oil may be an effective alternative remedy.
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Mosquito Repellent
- 10ml of the lemon eucalyptus oil
- 90ml of olive oil or coconut oil
Procedure
- Take a bottle of 100ml and mix the 10 ml of lemon eucalyptus oil and add the 90ml of carrier oil and mix well.
- Apply the mixture directly to any exposed area. Reapply the mixture periodically, especially when going outside.
Lemon eucalyptus oil has a strong PMD, p-menthane 3 and citronellal compounds that work effectively in keeping mosquitoes away.
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Tea Tree Oil Against Fleas And Ticks
Written by
25 May, 2022
Domestic animals provide an atmosphere of peace and happiness to all members of the household. However, they sometimes harbor fleas and ticks. Well tell you how to use the benefits of tea tree oil to fight this problem.
Flea and tick infestations are quite common if you dont maintain proper hygiene for your pets. Even when you keep them very clean or indoors, however, these annoying parasites can still appear.
During the summer season, high temperatures cause fleas and ticks to reproduce.
What Is The Best Homemade Mosquito Repellent
Cinnamon oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, catnip oil, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, neem oil, lemongrass oil, soybean oil, tea tree oil, geranium oil, thyme oil, and rosemary oil are some of the natural essential oils that can be used as a mosquito repellent. Other natural essential oils that can be used as a mosquito repellent include tea tree oil, geranium oil, thy
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Arent Topical Flea Products More Toxic Than Tea Tree Oil
Most topical flea products recommended by veterinarians use a type of chemical that targets molecules found in the body of insects that are not found in mammals. Thats what makes them safe to use on our pets and good at killing fleas quickly in the small doses applied to skin or ingested.
There is another category of chemicals that are toxic to some mammals but not others. For example, some tick products contain a class of chemical called permethrins that are safe to use on dogs but are toxic to cats. Tea tree oil falls into this category: it can be toxic to our pets and fleas, even though it is likely safe for most humans when used on the skin. The dose required to kill all of the fleas might be fatal to your cat.
Another reason commercially available flea treatments are preferred over essential oils like tea tree is that some contain chemicals that actually stop the development of the next generation of fleas. That means any eggs a female lays before she is killed by the flea treatment will not be able to hatch. No adults + no eggs = no more fleas.
Can I Use Tea Tree Oil On My Dog For Ticks
4.8/5Thetea tree oilthedoesticksfull answer
If you choose to use it, remember to never administer tea tree oil orally. When you use tea tree oil on your dog’s skin, dilute it with a lot of water. Take caution with the amount of oil used. As mentioned earlier, the recommended and safest ratio is 0.1-1% strength.
Similarly, how does Tea Tree Oil remove ticks? Freeze it, don’t squeeze it!Don’t reach for the nearest pair of household tweezers, pull at it with your fingers or start dabbing it with tea tree oil, methylated spirits, nail polish remover or any other home remedy.
Keeping this in consideration, what essential oils are safe for dogs for ticks?
Many of the essential oils most frequently advertised in flea and tick productseucalyptus, peppermint, lavender, lemongrass, tea tree oil, etc.
What home remedy kills ticks on dogs?
To remove a tick, apply a drop or two of neem oil directly on the tick and it will extract itself quickly. Apple Cider Vinegar Apple cider vinegar to the rescue once again! This wonderful natural remedy also helps to remove and kill ticks.
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