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HWN Suggests

The Least Toxic Ways to Protect Yourself from Ticks

When it comes to keeping away creatures that creep and crawl, the U.S. doesn’t mess around. More than 198 million Americans used insect repellent last year, a figure that is expected to top 200 million this year. Much of that is to ward off ticks, which are technically arachnids and carry more than a dozen diseases.

But the repellents themselves can present concerns of their own with their pungent smells, occasional irritation, and labels full of mystifying chemicals most people have never heard of...

The question is, do natural alternatives to chemical repellents even exist, and if they do, how effective are they? Here’s what to know about tick repellants.

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 Tick Repellents

To start out, let’s begin with stating that the only repellents that we wholeheartedly believe in (after doing much research) are: Permethrin (for clothing), Picaridin, and DEET (20-30%). Permethrin is a direct-contact insecticide, and DEET being a repellent that temporarily blocks the neuron receptors that detect CO2.

Articles of Interest

Tick Off: The Most Effective Tick Repellents

DEET may work at repelling ticks, but Mather advises it only as a second line of defense. His top recommendation: Wear tick-repellent clothing treated with permethrin, which kills ticks after only five to 30 seconds of exposure. “Permethrin is dried into your clothes,” Mather explains, “and if you purchase treated clothing or have it commercially treated, it can last 70 washings.” (Insect Shield, which produces its own line of insect-repellent apparel, will treat clothing for $8 to $10 an item.) Alternatively, you can treat clothing yourself, though home treatments last for only about four to five washings, Mather says.

DIY Tick Repellants

As you enjoy the great outdoors this summer, don’t forget to protect yourself against bug bites and ticks! Our friends at Wyndmere Naturals have provided us with three easy-to-prepare, effective tick repellent recipes that you can make at home, using pure essential oils.

The 8 Best Tick Repellents of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Keep ticks away with these effective sprays and lotions.

The Best Tick Repellent for Humans

Our go-to active ingredients for tick protection on safari and every day is DEET or citriodiol. In our experience on safari and every day, the most effective tick repellents contain these actives. Look for formulations with a DEET percentage of 50% or lower to get the best balance of safety and effectiveness. For a natural tick repellent, citriodiol provides an equal level of protection to DEET and synthetic bug sprays.

The Best Tick Repellents Keep You Bite-Free All Summer Long

Use these sprays to keep ticks away, along with all the diseases they carry.

The Best Tick Repellents of 2023

Before you tear through the woods this spring make sure you have the best tick repellent, so you can spend less time checking for ticks and more time outdoors.

The Best Tick Repellents to Ward Off Those Annoying Pests

The main reason why people get tick repellent is to, well, repel ticks. Ticks can end up on your skin without you knowing, and if you’re hiking in some woods or walking on grassy fields, you’re very likely to end up with a tick or two if you’ve got exposed skin. Of course, covering up isn’t always a good idea when hiking, especially if it’ll result in you just feeling dehydrated and hot, so you’ll need something else to stop the ticks. Thanks to tick repellents, you can keep those ticks at bay without having to wear thick pants and a hoodie whenever you go out. They’re easy to put on and often come in spray bottles, so you just need a few seconds to coat yourself in the stuff.

Top 8 Best Tick Repellent for Humans

When it comes to choosing the best tick repellent for humans, there are several factors to consider. First, you need to decide which type of repellent you prefer. There are two main categories: chemical and natural. Chemical repellents contain ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, or permethrin, while natural repellents use essential oils like citronella, lemongrass, or peppermint.