How to prepare clove for tick control? - briefly
Grind dried cloves into a fine powder and combine with a carrier oil (approximately one part powder to five parts oil), allowing the mixture to steep for 24–48 hours. Apply the infused oil directly to the animal’s skin or to areas where ticks are likely to attach.
How to prepare clove for tick control? - in detail
Clove buds contain eugenol, a compound that repels and kills ticks. Preparing a clove‑based solution requires precise measurement, proper extraction, and safe handling.
Materials
- Dried clove buds (whole or ground)
- Carrier oil (e.g., coconut, olive, or jojoba)
- High‑proof ethanol or 70 % isopropyl alcohol (for tincture)
- Digital scale, graduated cylinder, glass jar with airtight lid, fine mesh strainer, dark glass bottle for storage
Extraction – oil infusion
- Weigh 30 g of whole cloves.
- Heat 300 ml of carrier oil to 50 °C; avoid boiling.
- Add cloves, stir, and maintain temperature for 2 hours.
- Remove from heat, let cool to room temperature.
- Filter through a fine mesh, squeeze remaining material to extract residual oil.
- Transfer filtrate to a dark glass bottle, label with date and concentration (10 % w/v).
Extraction – alcohol tincture
- Combine 25 g of ground cloves with 250 ml of ethanol in a sealed jar.
- Shake vigorously for 30 seconds, store in a dark place for 7 days, shaking daily.
- After steeping, filter and decant into a dark bottle, label (10 % w/v).
Dilution and safety
- For topical use on pets, dilute the concentrate to 1 % eugenol by mixing 10 ml of extract with 990 ml of carrier oil or water‑based spray base.
- Perform a patch test: apply 0.5 ml to a small skin area, observe for 24 hours.
- Keep away from eyes, mucous membranes, and open wounds.
- Store out of reach of children and animals.
Application
- Apply diluted solution to the animal’s neck, back of ears, and leg folds once a week during tick season.
- For yard treatment, spray a 1 % solution on grass, leaf litter, and low vegetation, avoiding direct contact with edible plants.
- Reapply after rain or heavy dew.
Storage
- Keep bottles in a cool, dark cabinet at 4–10 °C.
- Use within six months; discard if odor changes or cloudiness appears.
Following these steps yields a consistent clove preparation that can be employed safely for tick control on animals and in the environment.