This article was updated on May 20, 2024. 

While the weather is gorgeous outside and there is not snow on the ground, it’s a perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors.  Being in nature is calming, and it’s healthy to be breathing all that fresh air.

Being away from your electronics and all the noise and stress of every day life is another benefit of being outdoors.  If you live in a place where winter means much snowfall, you appreciate the seasons when trees, flowers, and grass are green.

Being outside in the forest or near trees puts you at a high risk of being bitten by a tick.  At the time of the writing of this article, tick bites are at an all-time high.

Tick bites can cause Lyme’s disease.  A lady I know had cancer several years ago.  Then, later, she contracted Lyme, which she said made cancer seem like nothing.  Lyme’s disease is very serious!

Be encouraged, though!  Just because tick bites are a concern, it does not mean that you must stay inside all day during summer and fall.

One option is to use harsh chemicals on you in the form of store-bought sprays.  I would advise against that, though, because you are using toxic chemicals on your skin.  Natural remedies work just as well, and they are safe!

Here is what you can do to protect yourself.

Cover up as much as possible.

Wear long sleeves and a hat.  Yes, you may want to get some Vitamin D, but that will be better done taking a walk elsewhere besides a forest.  It’s not worth it to risk getting Lyme.

Eat garlic and thyme.

Garlic is excellent, and thyme added to it makes it more potent.  Ticks dislike the smell of garlic.  (source) If you eat garlic, ticks will not be attracted to you.  If you dislike eating garlic and thyme, you can take it in supplement form as a concentrate.

Apply peppermint oil to your skin.

Before you take your next hike, apply peppermint oil to your skin. Peppermint is a pleasant scent to us, but ticks are scared off by it.  (source)

First, do not purchase peppermint oil from a store.  It will have alcohol, water, and who knows what other fillers in it.

Next, dilute the peppermint oil (just a couple of drops will do) in some aloe-based lotion, and apply to any exposed skin.  Remember the back of your neck, your hands, and your arms. 

When you return home, just to be sure, check to make sure you did not bring any ticks home.  It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Have you ever been bitten by a tick?  I trust that you have not and that you never will be.

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