Ticks are a real danger to both pets and humans. To prevent parasites from infesting your garden, you can grow plants that act as natural repellents.
With the increase in summer temperatures, our gardens are also seeing the return of ticks. These mild weather conditions indeed favor the activity and proliferation of these small parasitic mites which represent a real danger for pets (dogs and cats), but also for humans, particularly with the famous and terrible Lyme disease. In fact, it is essential to adopt effective preventive measures, in particular by growing plants in your garden that will have the effect of a tick repellent.
Tansy is a hardy, herbaceous perennial plant that can reach a height of +- 1m and a width of 0.50cm when mature. The smell and taste of tansy are unpleasant and repulsive to ticks. When ticks come into contact with tansy or perceive its odor, they generally tend to move away and avoid the area.
Lavender is well known for its many uses. But did you know that ticks don’t like lavender? That’s because this plant contains essential oils, especially linalool and linalyl acetate, which are responsible for its characteristic odor. The scent has a repellent effect on the nervous system of ticks and therefore acts as a natural repellent against ticks, but also against other insects.
Rosemary is often used in cooking but it also has an effect against ticks. Rosemary has a strong aromatic odor. The essential oils it contains can cause irritation in ticks, disrupting their sensory organs.
While these three plants have a repellent effect on ticks, they cannot completely replace the treatment of your pet. The use of specific antiparasitic products is an effective protective measure. It is advisable to consult a veterinarian to choose the product best suited to the animal, whether it is anti-tick collars, skin pipettes or tablets.
Next, maintaining good hygiene and a clean environment for the animal helps reduce the risk of infestation. This includes regularly cleaning the animal’s living and sleeping areas. Walks in risky areas, such as tall grass and woods, should be followed by a careful examination of the animal’s fur to detect and quickly remove any attached ticks. Using a tick remover allows these parasites to be removed effectively without leaving the head embedded in the skin, thus reducing the risk of infection.