People who live in the areas prone to infestations have a lot to deal with when the tick season begins. The top priority in any such household is the prevention of Lyme disease. Despite all the tick proofing, some ticks do manage to get in the house because they are so tiny. They sneak in by attaching themselves to our clothes and our pets. In such cases, most families do not have many options but to fumigate the house.

However, strong pesticides are not recommended if there are infants or family members who are prone to allergies. Exposure to strong chemical pesticides can lead to breathing difficulties, nausea, dizziness, cramps, diarrhea, and even problems with vision. Pets exposed to pesticides can develop fever, tremors, seizures, fast heartbeat and anorexia. Many chemicals have over the past decades been declared unsafe for use as pesticides and banned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To keep you and your family safe from chemical harm and help in the prevention of Lyme disease, there are numerous products and brands to choose from. Most repellents do not kill ticks but only repel them. Some of the most sought after tick repellent products on the market today are mentioned herein:

1. Insect Repellent Sportsmen Max Formula® 40% DEET by Repel®
This is the best selling repellent that is effective not only for ticks but other insects too. It is effective for eight hours and contains 40% DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). This chemical hides human scent, making it difficult for ticks to identify humans by smell. It should be applied only on clothes and gear and not on the skin.

2. Permethrin Insect Repellent for Clothing Gear and Tents by Sawyer®
This has to be applied only to clothing. It contains 0.5% Permethrin, which is an effective repellent. This product can be sprayed on clothes and gear and should be not be applied on the skin directly. It stays effective for about 6 hours or 6 washes. This product is ideal for those who are engaged in outdoor activities like hiking, trekking, fishing or camping; hence, helping with the prevention of Lyme disease.

3. Deep Woods® Insect Repellent V by OFF!®
This contains 25% DEET and is effective for about 2-3 hours. It can repel ticks and other insects. It can be sprayed on skin as well as clothing and gear. This product is an ideal repellent that can be used outdoors and prevent one from Lyme disease.

4. Repel® Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent2 (Pump Spray)
This spray has about 30% natural eucalyptus oil. The spray is effective for about 6 hours. The effectiveness of this product has been confirmed and the use and popularity of this product are growing. This is considered to be much gentler than DEET products. However, it is not recommended for children under the age of 3.

5. TICK BAN All-Natural Tick Repellent by YAYA Organics
Among the newer tick repellents on the market, this is made from natural ingredients. It contains essential oils from rosemary, peppermint, lemongrass, lavender, rose geranium and is combined with other herbs. This is ideal when you need a repellent only for a short duration.

Today the focus is to create new plant-based repellents. However, there is still a perception that these repellents don’t last long. Efforts are on to create new combinations so that they are as effective as Permethrin or DEET products. One such ingredient that is showing promise is 2-undecanone, developed from leaves and stems, and produced as an essential oil.

Using repellants and pesticides is the one definitive way for the prevention of tick bites and Lyme disease at home and outdoors. It’s advisable to ensure that you read the information and follow instructions before using the products.