Do Lavender And Lavender Oil Help Against Ticks In The Garden?

Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:55 pm

Ticks in the garden are a nuisance for humans and animals. In addition, the arachnids pose a health hazard, as they can transmit diseases such as early summer meningoencephalitis, also known by the abbreviation TBE, or Lyme disease. For this reason, many people are looking for a way to repel the pesky beasts. The use of lavender or lavender oil is supposed to help against ticks, but the question arises here whether this home remedy really helps.

Lavendel im Garten

Lavender against ticks


Lavender can help against ticks. The reason for this are the contained essential oils, whose intense smell the arachnids do not like and thereupon seek the distance. Accordingly, you can keep the animals at bay by keeping lavender species. Real lavender (bot. Lavandula angustifolia) is particularly effective, as its distinctive scent creates a scent barrier that the animals do not like to cross. However, you must be careful that Lavandula is not a magic bullet against the arachnids. There may still be a risk of the bloodsuckers hiding in your grasses and biting at the first opportunity. Nevertheless, essential oils can be a good precaution because of the ingredients they contain. These at a glance:

  • Linalyl acetate
  • 1,8-cineole
  • Camphor
  • Linalool

Do Lavender And Lavender Oil Help Against Ticks In The Garden?


All of these substances are fragrances that are structured differently and together provide the classic lavender scent. Between 30 and 60 percent of lavender contains the ester linalyl acetate, which has a sweet freshness and is immediately reminiscent of the labiates (bot. Lamiaceae). The other substances make a highly potent mix that can help prevent ticks from settling in your green oasis. As an alternative to Lavandula angustifolia, you can also rely on the Great Speik (bot. Lavandula latifolia), which smells just as intense.

Plants against ticks


As mentioned above, the intensity of the essential oil ingredients in lavender is an effective protection against the establishment of wood ticks and other species. You can even increase this effect by planting other herbs or plants that provide a natural barrier against the bloodsuckers. Lavandula species aren’t the only ones that are effective against ixodida. Take a look at the following list and you’ll realize that many of your favorite herbs are ideal against the mites:

  • Catnip (bot. Nepeta cataria)
  • Thyme (bot. Thymus vulgaris)
  • Marjoram (bot. Origanum majorana)
  • Peppermint (bot. Mentha piperita)
  • Oregano (bot. Origanum vulgare)
  • Basil (bot. Ocimum basilicum)
  • Tansy (bot. Tanacetum vulgare)
  • Dalmatian insect flower (bot. Tanacetum cinerariifolium)
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It is the combination of herbs that is worth mentioning here. For example, plant a mixture of the Mediterranean plants around your property and use the variety as protection against ticks. At the same time, you can enjoy a variety of different plants that you can use in the kitchen or elsewhere. You will achieve the greatest effect if you place a large number of the plants around the garden, thus shielding it from nearby wooded areas, parks, meadows or other gardens where the animals could cavort. Especially near wet areas, consider placing on the plants, as the arachnids do not tolerate dry conditions. The more strategically lavender and other herbs are placed, the better.

Tip: You can even put the herbs in pots in the garden if you don’t have a way to put them in the bed. Since the essential oils spread in quite a wide radius, the arachnids stay away.

Lavender oil against ticks


In addition to using lavender as a plant, the question of whether it is effective to use lavender oil as a protection against the bloodsuckers also comes up frequently. Since lavender oils are a highly concentrated form of the essential oils contained in the plant, this question can be confidently answered with a yes. This is used in several ways:

  • directly on the skin
  • on clothing
  • in suntan lotions and skin creams
  • in fragrance lamps


The important thing here is that the oil is applied according to the way it is used. Thus, either a few drops of the lavender oil are added directly to the sunscreen or skin cream and can then be applied over a large area. Similarly, individual areas of clothing or entire garments can be drizzled with the oil to make it more difficult for ticks to find a suitable place to suck blood. This step is especially recommended for socks and pants, although you may damage fine fabrics with it due to the strength of the oil. If you decide to use a fragrance lamp, simply place it in the desired location in the garden. But it is not always ideal to rely on the use of lavender oil, as it is not tolerated by everyone. The effect is different for humans and animals:

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people


People tolerate the oil very well, only care must be taken not to apply this in too large quantities on bare skin. This can lead to irritation, which can be unpleasant, especially for small children. Here, the application via cream is much more suitable.

dogs


The oil can also help with dogs if you soak a cloth in the oil and attach it somewhere on the dog, for example on the collar. If your dog does not like the oil, it is better not to use it.

cats


Make sure that your cats do not come into contact with the oil. The plant parts themselves are not toxic for the house tigers, but the oil can lead to problems with the metabolism, because the liver of the animals can not process toxins so effectively. Even if only small amounts of the oil are inhaled, these symptoms of poisoning can occur. Therefore, it is better to rely on planting. This also applies to small animals.

Horses


Horses have no problem at all with the oil and is even recommended as an insect and tick repellent. Horses can either inhale the oil or have it massaged all over their body. It helps with the riding animals.
So pay attention to how you use the oil. This way you can protect yourself from the pests for a while without making you, your children or pets feel bad. Remember that you need to keep reapplying the oil or pouring it into the fragrance lamp. The effect of the oil does not last permanently, unlike the plants.

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Note: Particularly gentle for humans and animals is the use of high-quality lavender oil, the quality of which is not inferior. These do not irritate as intensively and can therefore be applied to the skin more safely than those of poor quality.

Author

  • James Jones

    Meet James Jones, a passionate gardening writer whose words bloom with the wisdom of an experienced horticulturist. With a deep-rooted love for all things green, James has dedicated his life to sharing the art and science of gardening with the world. James's words have found their way into countless publications, and his gardening insights have inspired a new generation of green thumbs. His commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship shines through in every article he crafts.

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