Protect Yourself, Your Pets, and Your Peace of Mind

As the weather warms and we head into the great outdoors, we’re not the only ones coming out of hibernation. Ticks—small but dangerous parasites—become highly active in spring, summer, and early fall. These blood-sucking insects are more than just annoying; they can transmit serious diseases to both humans and pets, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and more.

But don’t worry—you can enjoy nature safely with a few simple precautions. In this article, we’ll explore how to avoid tick bites, what to know about venomous ticks in the U.S., how to respond if you’re bitten (including essential oil options), and how to protect your dog from these tiny threats.

🕷️ When and Where Ticks Are Most Active

Ticks are most active from April through September, especially in grassy, brushy, wooded areas, and even in urban parks or your backyard. They love:

• Tall grasses and shrubs
• Leaf litter and woodpiles
• Shaded, humid environments
• Animal trails or feeding areas

Avoiding ticks doesn’t mean avoiding nature. With awareness and the right strategies, you can reduce your exposure and still enjoy your time outside.

✅ Tick Avoidance Tips for the Outdoors

1. Stay on Clear Trails
 Avoid walking through tall grasses, bushes, or undergrowth. Stick to the center of trails when hiking.

2. Wear Protective Clothing

• Long sleeves and pants
• Light-colored clothing (makes ticks easier to spot)
• Tuck your pants into socks or boots

3. Use Natural Repellents

• Natural options: Essential oils like oregano,¹ cedarwood, ² lemongrass, ³ peppermint, ⁴ and have demonstrated substantial tick-repelling properties.

4. Do a Full Body Tick Check
 After outdoor time, check yourself, children, and pets thoroughly:

• Behind the knees, ears, and neck
• Under arms and waistband
• Around ankles and hairline

5. Shower Within 2 Hours
 Showering soon after coming indoors can wash off ticks before they attach and allows time for a detailed body check.

6. Treat Your Yard

• Keep the grass short
• Clear the brush and leaves
• Use natural tick sprays (cedar oil-based) or professional tick treatments if needed

🧬 What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the United States, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted primarily through the bite of the blacklegged (deer) tick. It's often called "the great imitator" because its symptoms can resemble those of many other conditions.

Common early symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Fever and chills
• Headache
• Joint and muscle aches
• Swollen lymph nodes
• A bullseye-shaped rash (though not everyone develops it)

If left untreated, Lyme can progress to more serious issues such as chronic joint pain, neurological symptoms, memory problems, and heart palpitations.

Testing for Lyme is notoriously difficult. Standard blood tests can produce false negatives, especially in the early stages when antibodies haven’t fully developed. Many patients suffer for months or even years without an accurate diagnosis, often being misdiagnosed with conditions like fibromyalgia or anxiety.

Early intervention is critical—the sooner Lyme is detected and treated, the better the outcome. If you suspect a tick bite or begin experiencing symptoms, don’t delay in seeking care from a Lyme-literate practitioner who understands the nuances of testing and diagnosis.

🌿 How to Deal with a Tick Bite (Naturally & Safely)

If you find a tick attached to your skin:

Remove It Promptly and Properly

• Use fine-tipped tweezers.
• Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
• Pull upward slowly and steadily—don’t twist or jerk.
• Do not use heat, matches, or petroleum jelly to force it out.

Cleanse the Area

After removal, clean the bite site and your hands with:

• Oreganol P73
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Natural Soap and water

Apply Soothing Essential Oils

Several essential oils can help reduce irritation and support the skin’s natural response:

Cedarwood, Oregano, Peppermint, Lemongrass, Lavender, etc. We have the best edible grade oils!

Use it with a carrier oil (like coconut or jojoba) before applying it directly to the skin. Our products come with the carrier oil already done for you. We use the finest organic cold-pressed olive oil.

Monitor for Symptoms

Watch for signs of illness over the next few weeks:

• Fever or chills
• Rash or bullseye at the bite site
• Fatigue, joint pain, or headaches

If symptoms arise, see a natural healthcare provider and mention your tick exposure.

🐶 How to Protect Your Dog from Ticks

Dogs are just as vulnerable—if not more so—than humans when it comes to ticks. They love rolling in grass and running through bushes, which makes them a prime target.

Tick Prevention Tips for Dogs:

1. Daily Tick Checks

• Focus on ears, neck, belly, under the collar, and between toes.

2. Natural Tick Sprays

• Make a spray with diluted cedarwood, peppermint, or lemongrass essential oils.
• Always dilute properly and test a small area first—some essential oils can be too strong for pets.

3. Keep Your Yard Dog-Friendly

• Mow the grass regularly
• Avoid letting your dog roam in tall grasses or brush

🌿 Natural Tick Repellent Recipe (for Humans)

NAHS has phenomenal natural, essential oil-based tick and mosquito spray options:

Instructions:

• Shake well before each use.
• Spray on shoes, socks, pant cuffs, and exposed skin before heading outdoors.

Final Thoughts

Spending time in nature is one of the best things you can do for your health—don’t let ticks stop you. With a combination of awareness, natural repellents, and daily habits, you can drastically reduce your risk of tick bites and enjoy the outdoors safely.

From keeping your skin and pets protected to knowing what to do if you’re bitten, you’re now equipped to outsmart ticks this season.

Research on Essential Oils concerning Ticks:

Oregano oil as a natural repellent, Soutar, O., Cohen, F. & Wall, R. Essential oils as tick repellents on clothing. Exp Appl Acarol 79, 209–219 (2019)¹

Selective Essential Oils from Spice or Culinary Herbs Have High Activity against Stationary Phase and Biofilm Borrelia burgdorferi, Feng J, Zhang S, Shi W, Zubcevik N, Miklossy J, Zhang Y. Selective Essential Oils from Spice or Culinary Herbs Have High Activity against Stationary Phase and Biofilm Borrelia burgdorferi. Front Med (Lausanne). 2017¹

Cedarwood oil as a natural repellent, ars.usda.gov/news-events/news/research-news/2022/pleasant-smelling-wood-oil-not-so-pleasant-for-biting-ticks-other-pests²

Acadia researchers make breakthrough discovery involving all-natural tick repellent, acadiau.ca/about-acadia/newsroom/news-reader-page/acadia-researchers-make-breakthrough-discovery-involving-all-natural-tick-repellant.³

Repellent efficacy of 20 essential oils on Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and Ixodes scapularis ticks in contact-repellency assays, Luker, H.A., Salas, K.R., Esmaeili, D. et al. Repellent efficacy of 20 essential oils on Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and Ixodes scapularis ticks in contact-repellency assays. Sci Rep 13, 1705 (2023).⁴