Well, it's that time of the year... Tick season. Of course, if you're me then all year is tick season, but for the general population they usually begin worrying about ticks in the spring when they start spending time outdoors. Every year the tick problem gets worst and worst and this year is NO exception. I have talked to my friends who have all pulled multiple ticks off their dogs from spending very little time outdoors in the grass. You can never be too careful, ticks can be incredibly small and look just like a small freckle or mole. People seem to think ticks are always large and very obvious. In most cases yes, but they can also be painfully small when they are newly hatched larvae (see photo)
That my friends is why taking steps to prevent getting ticks in the first place is crucial. Now most commercial insect and tick sprays include DEET which is a toxic chemical. It's been shown in studies to cause irreparable damage to cells, and if you are using it often then it will build up in the system. People often forget that the skin is our largest organ, and whatever you place on the skin will soak into the blood stream and get into our entire bodies. Just because it's not being ingested doesn't mean it's not causing harm!
With that being said, the commercials sprays without DEET are not that effective against ticks (only mainly mosquitoes). So, what can you do? Well, there are a few chemical and DEET free options which I love. 3 of them can be ordered online, and one is a do-it-yourself at home using essential oils. For all of the insect repellents listed below they all use essential oils as the primary deterrent. So, without further adieu, let's jump into these!
With that being said, the commercials sprays without DEET are not that effective against ticks (only mainly mosquitoes). So, what can you do? Well, there are a few chemical and DEET free options which I love. 3 of them can be ordered online, and one is a do-it-yourself at home using essential oils. For all of the insect repellents listed below they all use essential oils as the primary deterrent. So, without further adieu, let's jump into these!
Naturally Northwoods 'Go Away Tick & Mosquito Spray"
This spray comes from an Etsy shop of a lady I know. I met her through my twitter, and she is very kind. She makes the tick spray homemade and uses only 8 essential oils to provide protection. She is a Lyme warrior herself, with her family members being effected by this horrible disease too. So, she spared nothing to make sure this was absolutely perfect. This spray has been sold for 5 years now and has nothing but great reviews! I bought it last year myself and I absolutely love it! She has a buy 2 get 1 free deal going on now!
The oils used are:
Citronella, Lavender, Lemongrass, Cedarwood, Geranium, Tea Tree Oil, Eucalyptus & Water.
This spray comes from an Etsy shop of a lady I know. I met her through my twitter, and she is very kind. She makes the tick spray homemade and uses only 8 essential oils to provide protection. She is a Lyme warrior herself, with her family members being effected by this horrible disease too. So, she spared nothing to make sure this was absolutely perfect. This spray has been sold for 5 years now and has nothing but great reviews! I bought it last year myself and I absolutely love it! She has a buy 2 get 1 free deal going on now!
The oils used are:
Citronella, Lavender, Lemongrass, Cedarwood, Geranium, Tea Tree Oil, Eucalyptus & Water.
Dr. Mercola Bug Spray
This bug spray has actually been put to the test with a study to prove its effectiveness. It contains Vanillin, Citronella, Lemongrass & Peppermint essential oils.
" An Independent study showed Bug Spray to be more effective than a product containing 100% DEET.
According to the lab results, unprotected subjects received an average of 16 bites per hour. Subjects using products containing DEET received an average of 2.78 bites per hour, while the Bug Spray test subjects received less than one bite per hour (approximately 1/5 of one bite per hour).
The test, conducted by BassFan Lab (operated by BassFan LLC), involved three successive test periods over 72 hours.
When tested in rainy conditions, the DEET-based products had to be re-applied to remain effective (re-exposing people to even greater amounts of DEET). But the Bug Spray formulation stayed effective without reapplication."
This bug spray has actually been put to the test with a study to prove its effectiveness. It contains Vanillin, Citronella, Lemongrass & Peppermint essential oils.
" An Independent study showed Bug Spray to be more effective than a product containing 100% DEET.
According to the lab results, unprotected subjects received an average of 16 bites per hour. Subjects using products containing DEET received an average of 2.78 bites per hour, while the Bug Spray test subjects received less than one bite per hour (approximately 1/5 of one bite per hour).
The test, conducted by BassFan Lab (operated by BassFan LLC), involved three successive test periods over 72 hours.
When tested in rainy conditions, the DEET-based products had to be re-applied to remain effective (re-exposing people to even greater amounts of DEET). But the Bug Spray formulation stayed effective without reapplication."
The Honest Company Bug Spray
I love the Honest Company in general, I use all their products because they are chemical free and free of anything harmful. I am in love with the detergent, soaps, dishwashing liquid etc. A great company all around. Their bug spray smells like Lemon and also uses a blend of essential oils.
I love the Honest Company in general, I use all their products because they are chemical free and free of anything harmful. I am in love with the detergent, soaps, dishwashing liquid etc. A great company all around. Their bug spray smells like Lemon and also uses a blend of essential oils.
- Formulated with only the purest & safest certified organic essentials oils to naturally repel insects
- Lab tested for proven efficacy against mosquitoes and stable flies — deters up to 4 hours
- DEET-free, absolutely no harsh, synthetic, or petroleum-based ingredients!
- Pleasant aroma of Rosemary, Citronella, and Wintergreen organic essentials oils
- Hypoallergenic / Non-irritating / Vegan / Biodegradable
Either way you go, I hope that everyone is ready and protected for all the outside activities. Mosquitoes are always lurking, especially in the evening time, and it's easy to not even realize you are getting bites all over! Having a spray that is natural, smells good, and you can feel comfortable putting on multiple times throughout the day if needed comes with a peace of mind.
xoxo,
Christina
I have not been paid or endorsed by any of the companies listed above. Opinions are all my own entirely.
xoxo,
Christina
I have not been paid or endorsed by any of the companies listed above. Opinions are all my own entirely.
RSS Feed