do tick-repellent plants work? expert explains what actually keeps ticks away
3 minute read
nicoletta faraone, the director of the canadian tick research and innovation centre, says while some plants contain compounds used in natural tick repellents, simply growing them in you garden isn't going to keep ticks at bay.
ian fairclough
/
the chronicle herald
every summer, social media fills up with lists of tick-repellent plants, promising that fragrant herbs and flowers can keep the pests out of your yard.
while there are plants containing compounds that can repel ticks in the lab, experts say simply planting them isn’t enough to stop ticks from moving in.
some plants contain compounds that can repel ticks when extracted into concentrated essential oils, but growing them in your garden isn’t enough, said nicoletta faraone, associate professor in the chemistry department at acadia university and director of the canadian tick research innovation center.
do tick-repellent plants actually work?
according to faraone, the short answer is no.
“nothing really out there that shows that planting, for example, mint or rosemary or lavender . . . is going to prevent ticks,” she said.
many aromatic plants naturally produce essential oils that help them defend against pests. while those oils have shown some promise against ticks in laboratory settings, that’s very different from having the plants in your backyard.
“the amount of compounds that they naturally release from their leaves is not enough to actually keep ticks away,” faraone said. “the oils need to be extracted through specific chemical procedures, so it’s not as easy as it seems.”
simply, while the plant may smell strong to people, ticks require much higher concentrations before they are repelled.
ticks are almost completely blind and rely on scent, as well as heat and vibration, to find a host, according to faraone. due to that something a bit stronger is required to trick ticks senses.
why essential oils are different
faraone’s research has focused on developing natural tick repellents using essential oils like lemongrass.
the difference between an essential oil and the plant itself is its concentration.
advertisement
essential oils contain highly concentrated versions of compounds found naturally in plants, allowing researchers to identify ingredients that can help keep ticks at bay.
faraone’s team has helped develop a fabric spray made with lemongrass essential oil that is in the final stages of health canada registration before being available on the market.
natural products can perform similarly to deet when used correctly.
the one shortfall, faraone explained, is that natural products may need to be reapplied more often when compared to deet-based products.
whatever you choose, faraone emphasized using products registered by health canada and following the directions on the label.
why you shouldn’t make you own tick repellent
the internet is also filled with recipes for homemade tick sprays made using essential oils. faraone said that’s another trend people should avoid.
while essential oils can repel ticks, using them safely requires much more than just mixing ingredients together.
researchers don’t test just whether an oil repels ticks, they also determine what concentration is safe for people, pets and the environment.
faraone warns that lemongrass essential oil can cause skin irritation if used above a certain concentration, adding that “just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s automatically safe.”
she recommends avoiding homemade sprays or products sold through unverified retailers and instead choosing products registered through health canada that have been evaluated for safety and effectiveness.
so what can you do?
while there’s no magic plant that will eliminate ticks, landscaping can help reduce tick habitat around your home.
faraone recommended:
- keeping grass mowed short
- removing areas of tall grass, where ticks like to wait for hosts
- discouraging wildlife, especially deer, from entering your yard
- using approved tick control products when appropriate
advertisement
black leg ticks, which can carry lyme disease, are often found in taller vegetation, wooded areas and along trails where they can latch onto people and animals passing by.
dog ticks also prefer grassy areas but tend to stay in shaded spots.
a provincial government website says “ticks like moist and humid environments and can be found in or near woods, shrubs, leaf litter, long grass, urban parks and gardens.”
the province also emphasizes that people should do tick checks after spending time outdoors in grassy or wooded areas, wear long sleeves and pants when in a tick habitat (preferably in a light colour for tick visibility) and remove bugs immediately upon finding one.
the bottom line
a garden full of lavender, rosemary or mint may smell nice, but it is not going to keep ticks away.
experts say the best strategy is a combination of good yard maintenance, a health canada-approved repellent, protective clothing and regular tick checks.
most importantly, faraone said, people should not let concerns about ticks stop them from enjoying the outdoors.
“as long as we know how to spot them and we do our tick check, we’ll be fine.”
share story
