How to get rid of ticks using folk remedies? - briefly
Use a garlic‑salt paste on exposed skin, leaving it for 30 minutes before rinsing, and wash clothing and bedding in a 1:1 white‑vinegar‑water solution to kill attached parasites. Regularly inspect and remove any remaining ticks with fine tweezers, pulling straight out to avoid mouthpart retention.
How to get rid of ticks using folk remedies? - in detail
Ticks attach to skin, feed on blood, and can transmit pathogens. Traditional practices offer several inexpensive ways to detach and repel these parasites without resorting to synthetic chemicals.
A typical removal sequence involves:
- Grasping the tick as close to the skin as possible with fine‑point tweezers or a sterilized needle.
- Pulling upward with steady pressure, avoiding twisting or squeezing the body.
- Disinfecting the bite site with rubbing alcohol or diluted iodine.
If mechanical extraction is difficult, several folk agents assist:
- Essential oil blend – Mix 10 drops each of lavender, tea‑tree, and eucalyptus oil with 30 ml of carrier oil (e.g., almond or jojoba). Apply to the attachment point, wait 5–10 minutes, then remove the tick with tweezers. The terpenes irritate the tick’s mouthparts, prompting detachment.
- Garlic paste – Crush 2–3 cloves, mix with a small amount of water to form a thick paste, and spread over the bite area. After 15 minutes, the strong odor and allicin disrupt the tick’s sensory receptors, easing removal.
- Vinegar and salt solution – Dissolve 1 tbsp salt in 100 ml white vinegar. Soak a cotton ball, place on the tick for 3–5 minutes, then extract. Acidity and osmotic pressure weaken the tick’s grip.
- Citrus spray – Combine the juice of one lemon with 200 ml water, add 5 ml neem oil, and spray onto exposed skin before outdoor activity. The mixture creates an unpleasant environment for ticks, reducing attachment rates.
- Heat application – Use a heated metal spoon (temperatures around 50 °C) to gently press on the tick’s back for a few seconds. Heat induces rapid loss of muscle control, allowing safe removal.
Preventive measures rooted in folk knowledge include:
- Wearing clothing treated with a solution of 2 % rosemary or thyme infusion.
- Bathing in a diluted lavender bath (5 ml oil per liter of water) after hiking.
- Sprinkling crushed pine needles around campgrounds; the resinous scent deters ticks.
Caution: Verify that any applied substance does not cause skin irritation. Conduct a patch test on a small area 24 hours before full application. If symptoms of infection develop—redness, swelling, fever—seek medical attention promptly.