Summers are the most active time for ticks to go around with their business, so whether it’s you or your pets, almost everyone at home is at risk of getting a tick bite. Though a number of over-the-counter medications are available to get rid of ticks, they are both expensive and not always skin friendly or healthy. But you don’t have to go through any of that trouble as a number of proven medications made from normal home ingredients exist to get rid of those nasty little blood suckers. The remedies are effective for both ticks on humans as well on pets.
The major causes that lead to tick bite
The cause for tick bites are nothing but the small spider like parasites called ticks. The major causes for ticks are
- Accumulated dust, hair and dirt in carpets, rugs and in unreachable corners.
- Humid, shady regions in the house that do not get any sunlight or fresh air, as they are perfect environments for ticks to thrive.
- Travelling to exotic locations, zoos and other places known to be inhabited by tick carriers such as deer.
- Not washing up with an antibacterial soap after visiting gardens and farms.
- Exposing too much skin for ticks to infest by not wearing protective clothing
- Improper care for pets and not spraying them with water after they have comeback playing outside.
- Not getting rid of ticks in wall fences, ticks in dog ears, exterior walls of buildings and other popular tick hideouts, regularly.
Easy home remedies to complete removal of ticks
Usually tick bites are harmless and most importantly painless as well; it’s the pathogens that get transmitted through a tick bite that cause most of the trouble. Since, people do not feel the prick as the tick bites in to the skin; it becomes increasingly hard to get rid of them earlier. But any signs of vomiting, nausea, swelling, numbness, joint pain, fever, or general uneasiness can be related to ticks. So the first step would be to completely analyze the person’s body to locate the region of tick bite.
Once you have located the tick, do not try to pry it out using nails, tweezers or anything else, as it will only make the tick dig in deeper and release more of its toxic fluids into the body. Instead try these simple home remedies that will peel the tick out of the skin like smooth wax paper.
1. Citrus
The health benefits citrus has on skin are innumerable; and one of it, is its ability to get the nasty ticks out. To prepare the portion, simple take peels of lemons or oranges or any fruit that has citrus in it and boil them. Simple apply the cooled peels over the tick to easily remove them out of the skin.
2. Witch Hazel
The astringent effects of Witch hazel can be used to remove ticks naturally. Mix about 10 parts of witch hazel in 1 part of eucalyptus oil to create an effective tick remover in seconds. Also witch hazel can be used to create a tick repellent spray to get rid of ticks in house by simply mixing witch hazel in eight ounces of water, and adding about 40 drops of essential oil.
3. Mint
Apart from giving cooling sensation, mint is also very effective remedy in getting rid of ticks on humans. Blend two lemons with 10 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and around 10 mint leaves in warm water and let the mix settle. Apply the extract on the tick to extract it.
4. The alcohol magic
Usually rubbing alcohol is the preferred deterrent in case of ticks, but not all skin types are tolerant to it. So create a milder yet effective blend by mixing equal portions of eucalyptus oil, lavender oil and lemon tree oil in a 1:2 blend of pure alcohol and water. Simply spray the mix on the skin for instant tick removal.
5. Rose geranium essential oil
The fragrant rose geranium oil has positive effects on skin and is also effective home remedy in getting out ticks out and repelling them when used in combination with almonds. The advised mix involves twenty drops of rose geranium essential oil in 3 tablespoons of almond oil.
6. Vaseline
Petroleum and other synthetic oils irritate the skin further, but Vaseline on the other hand nurtures it and suffocates ticks to death when applied on them. Also Vaseline is the safest remedy to remove ticks in dog ears and other tender regions.
7. Brewer’s yeast
Yeast and garlic is the perfect combination to get rid of not just ticks but most of the parasites in the body. Simply take 3 tablespoon of natural yeast and add sufficient amount of garlic cloves, or garlic powder and consume internally, to keep ticks at bay.
8. Coconut oil
Apart from its numerous internal health benefits, coconut oil also acts as effective repellent of mites, fleas and generally all sorts of insects. Simple apply coconut oil in purest form over the tick bite, to see the tick fall off immediately leaving behind no rashes or infection. Coconut oil is also safe home remedy for use to get rid of ticks in dog ears.
9. Baking soda and salt
To remove the ticks in house, using expensive ingredients such as oils can be a bit too expensive. But instead give your house a good spring clean with a mixture of salt and baking soda to effectively kill and repel all ticks, fleas and other parasites.
10. Dish wash detergent
This is one of the easiest things you can find in the household. Just pour the detergent liquid in to a bowl and add some water to dilute it lightly. Apply the solution to the tick bite to instantly get rid of the tick. Mouthwashes can be used in the same way too.
11. Cinnamon oil
Cinnamon bark oil is very effective in getting rid of ticks, and its powers can be improved by adding garlic to it. The ideal recipe would be to mix 80 drops of cinnamon oil with 1 ounce of water and sufficient amount of garlic.
12. Neem leaves and oil
The medicinal properties of neem need no introduction; the antibacterial properties of neem can not only get rid of ticks but also other hazardous bacterium, parasites and insects. Create a blend by mixing neem oil with lemon extracts for a storable tick repellent.
13. Apple cider vinegar
Beneficial, both when consumed internally applied on to skin, apple cider vinegar is the only repellent you will ever need to fight off ticks. Simply dilute the ACV in water or apply it directly on to the skin to instantly remove ticks.
14. Rosemary
The common herb, found in almost every household, can be used to effectively repel ticks as well. Boil the rosemary leave in water along with few lemon peels, and rub the extract on the tick bite to remove it. The portion is also safe for removing ticks in dog skin as well.
15. Cloves
Cloves either in oil form or diluted form can be used to kill ticks on human body as well. Crush cloves to powder form and boil it in water to obtain extracts that can be sprayed indoors to get rid of ticks in home as well.
Things to keep in mind when trying the ticks remedies
- Do not apply citrus or vinegar based remedies on open or wounded skin; in such cases go for oils.
- Test the remedy on a small patch of skin before applying it completely on the tick bite to check for allergies.
- Never try to pour or apply hot oils or portion to increase effectiveness; it will only worsen the tick bite.
- Once the tick dies, try to pull it off the skin completely with a single good pull without splitting it apart.
- When using home remedies either to get rid of ticks on humans or on pets, go from lower concentration to higher, to prevent allergies and side reactions.
- When spraying home remedies to get rid of ticks in house, make sure the place is ventilated and receives ample light.