Living Lyme

Hope is where it all begins

  • Living Lyme
  • Lyme Basics
    • History of Lyme Disease
    • Lyme Disease Facts
    • What is the Lyme Spirochete
    • Myths and FAQ
    • Controversy
    • Lyme Flyer
  • Prevention
    • Prevention Tips
    • Repellents
    • Pets
    • House and Yard
    • How to Remove Ticks
  • Diagnosis
    • What is an LLMD?
    • Symptoms
    • Testing
    • Co-Infections
  • Treatment
    • Herxheimer Reaction
    • Types of Treatment
      • Allopathic Treatments
      • Naturopathic Treatments
      • Integrative Treatments
      • Natural-Herbal Protocols
      • Essential Oils
      • Other Treatment Options
    • Secondary Support
      • Immune Support
      • Detox
      • Probiotics
      • Supplements
      • Candida & Lyme
      • Heavy Metals & Parasites
    • Therapeutic Support
      • Mind & Body
      • Mental Health & Well-Being
      • Sleep & Relaxation
      • Exercise
      • Assisted Living
    • Environmental Support
      • Water
      • Bath & Body
      • House & Home
    • After Treatment
  • Nutrition
    • Dining With Lyme
    • How Food Works
      • Processed Food
      • Organic Food
      • Dairy
      • Anti-Nutrients
      • Carbohydrates
      • Fatty Acids
      • Enzymes & Amino Acids
      • Vitamins & Minerals
      • Fruits & Vegetables
      • Grains, Legumes, Nuts, & Seeds
    • Elimination Diet
    • What Can I Eat?
    • Substitutes
    • Seasonings
      • Oils, Vinegars, & Citrus
      • Edible Flowers, Seeds, & Spicy Greens
      • Herbs & Spices
    • Recipes
  • Support
    • Explaining Lyme Disease
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  • Success
    • Getting Perspective
    • Success Stories
    • Lyme Expressions
    • My Story
    • Random Ramblings
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Repellents

Repellents are a very personal choice. Some people don’t want to take any chances and use the most potent and toxic product available. However, I would urge you to consider the personal health implications of using these.

On the other hand, there are effective “natural” repellents available that can also have toxic effects if not used in moderation. The biggest difference between the two is the effects it has on pets, livestock, wildlife, soil health, and groundwater. In this arena, natural wins!

I encourage you to do your own research to determine the pros and cons of any product you consider using. Make an educated decision for yourself and your family. If you have children, be sure to read all warning labels and thoroughly research products before using them. Discuss options with your pediatrician. Whatever you choose, please make sure you use a repellent.

Repellents

Here are some great links to get you started:

How to choose Insect Repellent

Deet vs. Permethrin

Insect Repellent Reviews

Tick Repellents

Repellent Warnings

CT.Gov Insect Repellents.

Repellent Clothing

Wearing Repellent Clothing when you spend time outdoors is a great way to protect yourself and insures that you don’t get lazy about prevention. You still need to do tick checks, and throw them in the dryer afterwards. But it helps reduce the risk significantly.

Tick Repellent Clothing

Bugs Away

Insect Shield

LL Bean

REI

Columbia

Gamehide

Tick Block Permethrin ClothingTreatment

Permethrin

Permethrin is the most effective synthetic tick repellent available. It has been proven to cause some problems with toxicity, so it should not be used directly on the skin. It is best used for clothes and yard. It is also toxic to cats, so do not let your cats on your sprayed clothing or outside until it has dried completely and prevent ingestion. For this reason, you should never apply topical dog medications or human sprays on cats.

Sawyer

Feline Permethrin Poisoning

Deet

Deet tends to be less effective than Permethrin mostly because it evaporates quickly. If you prefer Deet, try a time release version.

Ultrathon

MSM/Sulfur

Sulfur works as a tick repellent. It is not toxic to humans, pets, or livestock, so can be used in powder form to sprinkle in the yard. I’m not sure if it will last through rain, etc… or its efficacy.

Repel Ticks with Sulfur

Sulfur Repellent for Ticks

There are MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) supplements that contain sulfur and also help with many of the cognitive and joint symptoms that go along with Lyme. In fact, sulfur is required for proper brain and cell function. And you can get it naturally from leafy greens. It’s win win. The only caution to have is for those with a sulfur sensitivity.

MSM

MSM Q&A

Bluebonnet MSM Powder

Essential Oils

Warning: DO NOT use natural or botanical repellents that contain essential oils IN COMBINATION WITH other synthetic repellents. This can allow toxins to be carried into the blood stream. See the Essential Oils page for more details and precautions.

Natural Insect Repellent Recipes

Natural Tick Control Tested

Cedar Oil (Cedarwood)

Cedar Oil is proven to be one of the most effective Repellents and Pesticides for arthropods. And the best part, it is safe for people, pets, and the environment. Cedarwood Oil used therapeutically gently stimulates the circulatory system (do not use internally).

Note: There is a myth that cedar oil is harmful for rabbits. Studies show that this is not the case. However, frequent Cedar Oil use, use in large amounts, or ingestion by humans or animals can be toxic, so exposure should be limited.

Cedar Oil History/How it Works

You can purchase it here and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Harrisburg Area Lyme Disease Support Group.

Citronella Oil

Citronella is not really very effective. That’s what all those garden candles and tiki torches contain, although it is usually a synthetic version of it. For anyone who has tried this, I feel like it repels me more than it ever repelled a mosquito let alone a tick. Unless you like the smell, I would avoid this option. Plus, it can be toxic in large amounts.

Garlic Oil

Garlic is an effective repellent, but is not good for use on pets. It tends to be more effective on mosquitos than on ticks. I would save this one for yard use. Enjoy your garlic with your food for good health also!

Mosquito Barrier

Lemon Eucalyptus Oil

Lemon Eucalyptus is a specific type of Eucalyptus. It is not a mixture of other Eucalyptus oils and Lemon Oil. It has a strong odor. It can cause skin irritation and does need to be limited to no more than 2 applications per day. Toxicity from Eucalyptus oil can and does occur.

Bugs Be Gone

Repel Lemon Eucalyptus

Lemon Eucalyptus Effectiveness

Neem Oil

Neem oil has proven to be an effective tick and insect repellent. It is also an insecticide. It is believed to be safe for use on the skin.

Neem Oil and its Uses

Effects of Neem Oil on tick infested sheep

Rose Geranium Oil

Rose Geranium is also an effective insect repellent and has shown to be effective against ticks. As with all essential oils, care should be taken to dilute and use sparingly to avoid toxicity.

Rose Geranium for Ticks

Rose Geranium Oil for Tick Control

 

Tick_Repellents
Image courtesy of Simnia at Wikimedia Commons

Repellents are not a replacement for a good old fashioned tick check…

Lyme Disease Prevention Resources

  • Lyme Disease Association/Prevention
  • Lyme Disease.Org/Prevention
  • Lyme Info.net/Prevention
  • Lyme Research Alliance/Prevention
  • Stop Ticks.org
  • TBDA/Prevention
  • The Deer-To Fear or Not to Fear
  • Tick Encounter
  • Tick Identification Chart
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