Keep Ticks From Following You Into The House With This Popular Essential Oil

Ticks cannot fly or jump, and their easiest way into your home is if they hitch a ride on one of its residents, whether that be a person or their beloved furry pets. Fortunately, there is a way to stop this problem before the tick even has a chance to attach to you. Just a bit of peppermint oil on your clothing will serve as the ultimate do-it-yourself repellent to keep ticks away from you and your home.

If you spend a lot of time outdoors, whether it's hiking deep in the woods or tending to your backyard garden, there's a good chance that you've had to pull a tick or two off of your body. Many ticks carry bacteria that lead to serious diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Certain types, like the American dog tick and brown dog tick, are more commonly found latched to a pet's skin below their fur. Unfortunately, though, peppermint oil isn't a suitable remedy for cats or dogs.

To initiate this hack, you will need water, an empty spray bottle, and peppermint oil. Many people use peppermint oil medicinally for symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches, and joint pain. But, if you don't already have peppermint oil in your bathroom medicine cabinet, you can find a small bottle at Walmart for only $15 and a spray bottle for less than $1.

Once you have all of your materials, pour four tablespoons of water into the spray bottle followed by an equal amount or more of the peppermint oil. Keep in mind during this process that the more essential oil you use, the stronger the tick repellent will be. Secure the lid on the spray bottle and shake it until the two are fully combined. Finally, spray it on the outer layer of your clothes and exposed skin to instantly start repelling ticks looking to hitchhike their way into your home.

Ticks despise the scent of peppermint and the pungent oil works as a highly efficient do-it-yourself deterrent. That being said, it doesn't come without a few caveats. Firstly, this hack can become costly if used daily. Since the scent fades and goes away after washing your clothes, it will need to be reapplied for each use. To cut down on the overall cost over time, focus mainly on spraying your arms, legs, and areas that may come in direct contact with outdoor surroundings. As mentioned earlier, ticks cannot jump or fly, so they must travel from the ground or trees onto their targets.

Pets are also highly susceptible to tick tag-a-longs, however, peppermint oil is toxic to pets if it comes in contact with their skin or if ingested, so don't be tempted to use it on their neck or collar. Only use this hack on yourself and your clothing and avoid any contact between pets and peppermint oil. That being said, you should still protect your pet with tick repellents such as store-bought sprays and medicine provided by their veterinarian.