Natural tick repellents: Protect your garden and health

Ticks are not only annoying parasites, but they also pose a real threat to our health. This article presents plants that will help you naturally protect your garden from these unwanted guests.

Summer is a time of intense work in the garden and various outdoor activities, but unfortunately, it is also a period of increased tick activity.

Ticks, tiny arachnids that feed on the blood of mammals and birds, can be both bothersome and dangerous to humans. They transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and encephalitis. So, how can we effectively protect ourselves from these harmful creatures? One way is to turn to natural allies.

Ticks can be found in meadows, parks, and forests, but they increasingly appear in household gardens.

How to protect yourself from ticks in the garden? A natural method is to use plants that repel these unwanted guests. Place certain plants in your garden to effectively repel ticks.

Some plants have intense aromas that ticks cannot stand. Planting them in your garden can help reduce the population of these arachnids. Here are a few:        

• Rosemary - Its intense smell effectively repels ticks and adds beauty to any garden.
• Lavender - Not only does it smell fantastic, but it also repels ticks and mosquitoes.
• Basil - Its strong aroma repels ticks and has culinary uses.
• Thyme - This plant also deters ticks.
• Mint - Its fresh scent repels many insects, including ticks.

Ticks are not only annoying parasites but also carriers of dangerous diseases. Next, we will examine the diseases that can threaten us after being bitten by these tiny arachnids and learn how to protect ourselves effectively from them.

Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, is one of the most well-known diseases transmitted by ticks. In Poland, the number of cases of this disease increases every year. From January 1 to April 30, 2024, 3,427 cases of Lyme disease were confirmed in the country. This is more than during the same period last year.

Lyme disease mainly manifests as a characteristic migrating erythema but can lead to severe complications such as arthritis, neurological problems, or cardiac issues.

Treating Lyme disease requires long-term antibiotic therapy. Therefore, it is crucial to remove the tick and monitor the bite site quickly. If erythema or flu-like symptoms appear, consult a doctor immediately.