Simple DIY Cedarwood Oil Tick Repellent Recipe
This DIY tick repellent recipe is water-based and natural unlike the DEET sprays. I use it for myself and my family and it works great for us. This DIY tick repellent recipe could also help with repelling fleas, and moths from fabric and people.
I have tried different DIY tick repellent recipes with essential oils and combination thereof and this one particulary works well for me against ticks, notorious for spreading Lyme disease and other nasty diseases.
Disclaimer
This DIY tick repellent spray recipe is provided for informational purposes only and is based on general knowledge and referenced studies. I am not a medical professional, and this recipe is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition, including tick bites or related diseases. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before using, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have sensitive skin, allergies, or medical conditions, or are using on children or pets. Always perform a patch test to check for skin irritation. The efficacy of Cedrus deodara cedarwood oil for tick repellency is not guaranteed, as the referenced study used Juniperus virginiana. Use at your own risk, and ensure proper dilution and sourcing from reputable suppliers.
This recipe is not a substitute for professional medical advice or commercial tick repellents.
Do not ingest or apply to broken skin. Toxic to pets.
Cedarwood Oil Studies
There are different studies out there that examine the effects of cedarwood oil on ticks and other pests. The studies come to the conclusion that ticks can be effectively repelled with cedarwood essential oil. Particularly for our DIY Tick repellent recipe, we choose the study that examined the bioactivity of cedarwood oil and cedrol against different insects. The study works with heartwood samples from a certain type of a cedarwood oil – Juniperus virginiana L. It shows that cedarwood oil is effective as a tick repellent and toxicant, with cedrol (a key component) showing 100% mortality to black-legged tick nymphs at a concentration of 6.3 mg/mL.
Based on the study, we calculated the amount of cedrol needed to achieve a similar concentration for a tick-repellent spray, adjusted for safe topical use on human skin. To keep it simple and natural as possible we created this water-based spray recipe at 2% to 5% dilution depending on the cedarwood oil used.
It is important to note that cedarwood oil depending on the origin has a different cedrol concentration. Therefore, before I give you the recipe, let’s have a look at
Cedrol Content in Cedarwood Oils by Origin and Species
But first things first: Cedrol is a type of alcohol responsible for insect-repellent and sedative properties. Its concentration in cedarwood oil depends on the species, extraction method (steam distillation), and geographic factors like climate and soil.
Below, I’ve compiled the cedrol content estimates for the most common cedarwood oils from the USA and Europe, based on available data from scientific literature.
USA-Origin Cedarwood Oils
- Juniperus virginiana (Virginia Cedarwood, Eastern Red Cedar):
- Origin: Eastern USA (e.g., Virginia, Tennessee).
- Cedrol Content: 15.8–30% (typically 20–25% in commercial oils). Note, that this is the cedarwood oil used in the study I’ve referenced, with high cedrol content making it effective for tick repellency (6.3 mg/mL cedrol = ~25.2 mg/mL oil at 25% cedrol). It is the most common cedarwood oil in the USA and it’s widely available.
- Juniperus ashei/mexicana (Texas Cedarwood):
- Origin: Southwestern USA (Texas), Mexico.
- Cedrol Content: 20–35% (typically 25–30%).
Europe-Origin Cedarwood Oils
- Cedrus atlantica (Atlas Cedarwood):
- Origin: Atlas Mountains, Morocco (often classified as European due to trade through Europe).
- Cedrol Content: 10–15% (typically 12–14%). This is a true cedar (Pinaceae family), endangered per IUCN (2013). It has lower cedrol content making it less effective for tick repellency compared to J. virginiana. It’s used in aromatherapy and cosmetics. Since, I’m based in Europe now, I’ve used this type cedarwood oil as well, because it’s widely available. Respectively, I adjusted my DIY tick repellent recipe for using this type of cedarwood oil.
Asian-Origin Cedarwood Oil
- Cedrus deodara (Himalayan Cedar):
- Origin: Western Himalayas (India, Nepal, Pakistan), imported to USA/Europe.
- Cedrol Content: 10–20% (typically 12–15%). This is a true cedar, used in Ayurvedic medicine and insect repellents. Lower cedrol content than J. virginiana makes it less ideal for matching the study’s tick-repellent efficacy, but that works as well with the adjustment for the DIY tick repellent recipe.
- Cupressus funebris (Chinese Cedarwood):
- Origin: Sometimes traded through Europe, though native to China.
- Cedrol Content: 10–15% (typically ~12%).
So, for the Cedarwood essential oil DIY tick repellent spray you can use different types of essential oils.
DIY Cedarwood Oil Tick Repellent Spray with Cedarwood Essential oil from (20 mL, 5% Dilution)
All Natural Water-Based DIY Tick Repellent with Cedarwood Oil
All Natural DIY Cedrus Deodara Tick Repellent Spray (20 mL, 5% Dilution)
Ingredients
- Cedarwood essential oil
- 10-12 drops J. virginiana (20–25% cedrol) essential oil OR ALTERNATIVELY 20 drops (~1 mL) C. deodara (10–15% cedrol) essential oil (~1 mL, 5% dilution, ~6.975 mg/mL cedrol).
- Carrier liquid: 18 mL distilled water (to fill 20 mL bottle).
- Equipment
- Glass Spray Bottle 30 ml volume
Instructions
- Add 10-12 drops J. virginiana (20–25% cedrol) essential oil OR ALTERNATIVELY 20 drops (~1 mL) C. deodara (10–15% cedrol) essential oil in the spray bottle.
- Pour 20 mL distilled water into the bottle. Swirl to mix.
- Cap and shake vigorously for 30 seconds to emulsify.
- Label as “Himalayan Cedarwood Tick Repellent Spray, 5%.
Important
Notes
Safety and Efficacy Notes
- Safety: 5% dilution is safe for adult topical use with patch testing but may irritate sensitive skin. Avoid use on children under 12, pregnant/nursing women, or those with allergies without medical advice.
Do not ingest or apply to broken skin. Toxic to pets.
- Sourcing: Purchase pure cedarwood oil from reputable suppliers to ensure quality.
Usage
Patch Test
Apply to a small area (e.g., inner forearm) and wait 24 hours to check for irritation, as cedarwood essential oil may irritate sensitive skin at 5% dilution.
Application
Shake well before use. Spray lightly on exposed skin (e.g., ankles, arms) and clothing, avoiding eyes, mouth, and mucous membranes. Reapply every 1–2 hours, as tick repellency fades quickly (per study insights).
Storage
Store in a cool, dark place. Shelf life is ~1–2 months; discard if cloudy or off-smelling.
Safety and Efficacy Notes
Efficacy
The 5% dilution (1 mL, ~6.975 mg/mL cedrol) exceeds the study’s 6.3 mg/mL cedrol threshold, suggesting good tick-repellent potential. However, C. deodara is less studied for ticks than J. virginiana (20–25% cedrol), so efficacy may be slightly lower due to fewer supporting studies and lower cedrol content. J. virginiana (used in the study) at 5% (1 mL in 20 mL, ~9.3–11.6 mg/mL cedrol) is more effective due to higher cedrol (20–25%).
If available, consider J. virginiana for closer alignment with the study.
Sourcing
Purchase pure cedarwood essential oil from reputable suppliers to ensure quality.
Do not ingest or apply to broken skin. Toxic to pets.
Safety
5% dilution is safe for adult topical use with patch testing but may irritate sensitive skin. Avoid use on children under 12, pregnant/nursing women, or those with allergies without medical advice.
Additional Considerations
If your C. deodara oil has less than 15% cedrol (e.g., 10%), 1 mL yields ~4.65 mg/mL cedrol, below the study’s 6.3 mg/mL. You’d need ~1.35 mL (27 drops, 6.75% dilution), increasing irritation risk. Check supplier GCMS reports for exact cedrol content.
Study Limitation: The study used J. virginiana, not C. deodara, so tick mortality data isn’t directly applicable. C. deodara’s repellency is supported by its cedrol and himachalenes, but specific tick studies are lacking.