Rose Geranium oil for Ticks

[MinotBob]

I read somewhere that Rose Geranium essential oil can be used to ward off ticks.

Has anyone tried this and if so any suggestions?

[theresehirko]

Supposedly it keeps the ticks off of dogs, but i have never tried it. you put a drop or two on their collar and it is supposed to work. If you are using this for a human, I would suggest you mix it with something like olive oil and rub it into your skin. With Lyme disease so prevalent down here and virulent, I'm more partial to good old DEET. I have a colleague that went camping and was infected with Lyme disease and had to have an injection port put in because the shots were so painful and so often. Good luck.

[CarolAnn]

MinotBob - I've tried several different essential oils to ward off ticks, including rose geranium, helychrysum and pennyroyal. What I found is that perhaps they don't bite where the oil is - they simply walk to the spot you've missed and bite you there. :P

No matter what repellant you use, please do a thorough tick check when you come in, and also check your clothing over carefully. I keep a roll of "tick tape" handy to stick to any of the critters I find. (Any kind of sticky tape will do.) Fold the tape over and throw it away. They can't get loose and you don't have to worry about them getting on you again later!