Ticks are tiny parasitic creatures that live on the blood of their hosts.
Ticks are small parasitic arthropods that feed on the blood of host organisms, including humans. Some tick species spread serious diseases, such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Living primarily in woody and grassy areas, ticks are a common pest for anyone involved in outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking or even when working or playing in the yard. Several repellents are available that may help reduce the risk of a tick bite. Does this Spark an idea?
DEET
The chemical N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, or DEET, has proven to be an effective repellent for ticks. While the specific mechanism of prevention is not well understood, the likelihood is that the chemical masks the wearer, making it impossible for the tick to detect a potential host. DEET is a common ingredient in over-the-counter topical insect repellents and can be applied directly to the skin. This repellent is also persistent on the skin and does not require reapplication.
Permethrin
Several tick repellents contain 0.5 percent of permethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide. Permethrin works not only as a repellent, but also kills ticks. This is not a topical repellent and is specifically designed for light application to clothing only, which should be laundered immediately after wear. Exposure to skin and eyes can cause mild irritation. Permethrin-based repellents are available in pump or spray form.
Picaridin
Another synthetic insect repellent, picaridin is also used against ticks and has a similar effect as DEET. Relatively safe for treating both skin and clothing, picaridin is available in sprays, lotions, aerosols and towelettes. Widely used in both Australia and Europe, this insect repellent is considered safe by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and has been available in the United States since 2005. A true repellent, picaridin does not kill insects, as does permethrin.
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
Classified by the EPA as a biopesticide repellent, lemon eucalyptus oil is now available in sprays and lotions as a broad-spectrum insect repellent that is effective against ticks. Most preparations contain between 10 and 40 percent p-Menthane-3,8-diol, a naturally occurring chemical and the active ingredient in the oil. The EPA considers lemon eucalyptus oil as safe for both adults and children with a very low level of toxicity.
Tags: insect repellent, against ticks, available sprays, available sprays lotions, repellent also, repellent picaridin, repellents available