by Bronwyn Katdaré, copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved.
Getting out on the trails is a natural part of my day. Whether I'm running, walking with my dogs, or taking photos, I'm often in a wooded area.
We were hiking and stopped to rest at a picnic area to enjoy the sunshine.
We've had a relatively mild winter here in Pennsylvania (well, not counting the -51 wind chills in January!) and this means the ticks have had a chance to repopulate the area. I remember when (Oh my! How old am I?!)... not that long ago when I could spray my yard with essential oils once per month starting in June and not have a flea or tick infestation. Things are different now...
Even if you don't live near a wooded area, you probably have a wood pile, trees, a garden, or grass in your yard. This means you have some critters. This also means you have some opportunistic hitchhikers hanging out in your yard.
The CDC offers some advice for your yard:
Clear tall grasses and brush.
Place a 3-ft wide barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawns, patios, and wooded areas to restrict tick migration into the yard.
Mow the lawn frequently and keep leaves raked.
Stack wood neatly in a dry area on wood chips.
Don't skip your hike! Ticks are climbers and wait for you to brush by tall grass. Wear light-colored clothing so you can see them if they crawl onto you. Remember to tuck in your shirt and tuck your pants into your socks. Stick to the middle of well-worn trails and try to hike on sunny days to avoid ticks. Do regular tick checks on all of the creases, cracks, and crevices of your clothing and body - AND in all of the hiding spots on your dog, too, including their gums, cheeks, inside their ears, and between their toes and foot pads! Take a shower as soon as you get home and immediately wash your clothing. Pay attention to your dog's bedding, too. Ticks like to hide.
If you do get a tick, carefully use tick pullers (not straight tweezers, matches, or your fingers) to extract the tick. Clean the bite with soap and water. One of my dogs was recently bitten by a tick and I applied a mix of Frankincense (*see essential oils below) and coconut oil to the bite area. The irritated skin was cleared within an hour. Use the same technique on your dog. You do not need to send the tick for testing. If you feel sick, develop a rash. or have a fever, immediately consult your physician.
Here is a DIY recipe for making a natural insect repellent for yourself and your dogs.
Pour a quart of boiling water over a large thinly sliced lemon and let steep overnight. I remember my neighbor in North Carolina telling me how her friend's dog was infested with fleas and they used lemon dish soap to repel them. The lemons are a better alternative.
Drain the lemon water into a large glass or "safe plastic" spray bottle. Safe plastic - plastic that will not break down into harmful chemicals when filled with essential oils - bottles can be found on a site like abundanthealth4u.com. I have NO affiliation with this company or website.
Add 10 drops each of *Lemongrass oil and *Citronella oil. I like to use Young Living Essential Oils. ***I am a brand partner with Young Living for their purity and quality standards. I receive a small commission for your purchase. Shop my partnership here.
Add 1 cup of vinegar (white distilled or apple cider vinegar).
Add a few drops of *Cedarwood oil. Again, I prefer Young Living Essential Oils, which are safe to use with your pets.
Shake well before applying to your dog’s coat. Spray this in your hands to apply to their faces.
(Bronwyn Katdaré is a certified Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Functional Medicine Health Coach. She is also a Certified Pet and Working K9 Trainer and Handler Instructor, an Explosives Detection Dog Handler, a Certified Canine Athlete Specialist, and has owned her own dog training business, Katdaré K9 Coaching, for over a decade).