The best tick remedies for humans: 10+ effective drugs to protect against bloodthirsty parasites

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The danger of ticks lies in their ability to carry infections that cause serious diseases: encephalitis, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis. Currently, the market is widely represented by special chemical means with which you can protect yourself from the attack of the parasite.

Tick ​​remedies: main types

Protective products differ in the form of release (spray against ticks for humans and animals; aerosol; emulsion), method of application (on the body or clothing), purpose and level of protection. Further more details about each of them.

By way of application

When choosing an insect repellent, you must carefully study the instructions: many compounds cannot be applied to the skin, but only to clothing.

On the body
You can apply preparations based on DEET (diethyltoluamide) to the skin. They are less toxic, but they are not recommended for use in children under 3 years of age. Such repellents can be washed off by water, dew or dirt, so they must be combined with other methods of protection. They last no more than 4 hours. 
For clothes
There are products that can only be applied to removed clothes. Most often they are made on the basis of alphacypermethrin. This is a toxic substance that not only repels, but also kills the insect. Such drugs remain effective for 10-14 days.
Territories
Chemical agents for treating the site from ticks are potent poisons, so when using them, you must strictly follow the instructions and follow the precautions. Most often they are created on the basis of fenthion, cypermethrin or lambda-cyhalothrin.

By destination

Also, anti-tick agents are distinguished by purpose: not all of them are suitable for children or animals. At the same time, some products are allowed to be used by adults on the skin and clothes, and for children - only on clothes.

For adults
For adults, you can use any preparations to protect against insects. It is necessary to pay attention to the information on the label: the duration of the drug and the concentration of the active substance.
For children
For children, special safe preparations have been developed based on less toxic components (IR3535) or with a low (less than 10%) concentration of the active substance DEET. The label should indicate the minimum age and exposure time. Repellents for children with an exposure time of more than 3 hours do not exist.
For pets
Protection of animals from ticks can be both external and internal. Means for external protection most often have an acaricidal effect: they not only scare away, but also destroy ticks. These include protective sprays, impregnated collars, shampoos.

Depending on the release form

Most often, drugs are available in the form of an aerosol or spray. But there are other forms of release.

Sprays and aerosols
Aerosols and sprays are available in the form of cans, differ in the way the active substance is pushed out. Inside is a toxic substance mixed with a propellant, due to which the product is pushed out by a powerful jet under pressure.
Pills
Tablets are used for internal protection of pets. They contain a toxic substance at a concentration safe for the animal, but deadly for the parasite.
Ointment
Various ointments and creams to protect against insects act as a repellant: they repel parasites with their smell. There are also drugs that can help relieve itching and inflammation after a tick bite, but they are powerless against infections.
Emulsions-concentrates
Emulsions are sold in small bottles. They contain a high concentration of the chemical, so the drug must be diluted and applied with a spray bottle. It is allowed to apply both on clothes and on the skin.

Depending on the active substance

Also, the means differ depending on the active component.

pyrethroids
These drugs are used to treat areas. Active ingredients: cypermethrin, permethrin, lambda-cygolatrin, alpha-cypermethrin. Also, such agents are effective fumigants.
Phosphorus-limiting compounds
Means are made on the basis of dimethoate and fenthion. They were developed as an alternative to organochlorine compounds, which are not currently produced from. 
Multicomponent preparations
There are also multicomponent compounds. Such drugs are capable of both scaring away and destroying an insect, or their action is directed against several types of pests.

Criteria for choosing a means of protection against ticks

When choosing a means of protection against ticks, it is necessary to be guided by the active substance, its concentration. And also consider for whom the drug will be used and for how long it is necessary to create protection.

Each container must indicate the method of use, its chemical composition and age restrictions.

List of the most popular tick remedies for humans

To make the right choice, it is recommended to look at the rating of the most popular tick protection products and get acquainted with their advantages and disadvantages.

1
off extreme
9.3
/
10
Details
2
Reftamid Maximum
8.9
/
10
Details
3
Kleschevit Super
9.3
/
10
Details
4
Nadzor
8.9
/
10
Details
5
Killing power 3 in 1
8.6
/
10
Details
6
Help
9.2
/
10
Details
off extreme
1
Available in the form of a spray and refers to a repellent (repels, but does not kill insects).
Expert rating:
9.3
/
10

Can be treated with clothes and applied to exposed areas of the body. However, its action lasts no more than 4 hours.

pros
  • repels not only ticks, but also mosquitoes, flies, horseflies;
  • universal.
Cons
  • high cost with poor performance;
  • unpleasant, suffocating odor.
Reftamid Maximum
2
Less toxic, can be applied to the skin, while its duration is up to 5 days.
Expert rating:
8.9
/
10

Reftamid repels any insects: ticks, midges, mosquitoes.

pros
  • high efficiency at an affordable price;
  • universality.
Cons
  • strong unpleasant odour.
Kleschevit Super
3
There are two types of such sprays: for treating the area and for applying to clothing.
Expert rating:
9.3
/
10

The drug kills insects, is quite toxic, it cannot be applied to the body. Both sprays are highly effective, when processing clothes, it creates protection for up to two weeks. However, spraying the spray is not very convenient: the solution gets on your hands, so you need to use gloves.

pros
  • high efficiency.
Cons
  • awkward packaging.
Nadzor
4
The spray is not very common, but he managed to prove himself from the best side.
Expert rating:
8.9
/
10

It is less toxic than many similar products, but it is recommended to apply it only on clothing, spraying outdoors. After that, it is recommended to dry the clothes well.

pros
  • high efficiency at an affordable price.
Cons
  • hard to find in stores.
Killing power 3 in 1
5
One of the most affordable, but at the same time effective drugs on the Russian market.
Expert rating:
8.6
/
10

Toxic, has a sharp unpleasant odor. It is forbidden to spray indoors, apply to open areas of the body. The drug creates protection against ticks for a period of two weeks.

pros
  • high efficiency at low price;
  • can be found at any hardware store.
Cons
  • strong unpleasant odour.
Help
6
The drug has a low cost, but the volume of the can is also small.
Expert rating:
9.2
/
10

The spray is not recommended to be applied to exposed skin, intended for the treatment of clothing. The duration of protection against insects is up to two weeks.

pros
  • The optimum ratio of price and quality.
Cons
  • toxic to humans.
1
picnic family
9.5
/
10
Details
2
Brosmax
8.2
/
10
Details
3
Gardex extreme
8.6
/
10
Details
4
Mosquitol spray
8.5
/
10
Details
5
Mosquill antimite
8.8
/
10
Details
6
Argus
9.9
/
10
Details
picnic family
1
The drug was developed by leading experts of the Research Institute of the Russian Federation, is considered the best remedy for ticks on the Russian market.
Expert rating:
9.5
/
10

A feature of the Picnic family is the composition: imiprotrin (0,16%) and alphacypermethrin (0,2%). Designed to treat clothing, it is recommended to avoid contact with the skin, spray only in a well-ventilated area. Provides protection for two weeks.

pros
  • high efficiency.
Cons
  • toxic, handle with great care.
Brosmax
2
It has a repellent effect: repels insects for several hours.
Expert rating:
8.2
/
10

It is allowed to use no more than twice a day. The product is less toxic, can be applied to open areas of the body.

pros
  • low toxicity;
  • easy to apply;
  • suitable for children over 5 years old.
Cons
  • does not provide complete protection against ticks.
Gardex extreme
3
The active substance of the Gardex extrem tick aerosol is alphacypermethrin: it affects the respiratory system of the tick, causing its death.
Expert rating:
8.6
/
10

The drug is treated with clothes, avoiding contact with the skin. Sufficiently toxic that treated clothing should not be used within 2 hours of spraying. Aerosol creates protection for 15 days.

pros
  • high efficiency.
Cons
  • toxic, precautions must be taken.
Mosquitol spray
4
A highly effective tool, the action of which is aimed not only at repelling insects, but also at their destruction.
Expert rating:
8.5
/
10

Possesses high toxicity, it is forbidden to apply on skin, to inhale. Treated clothing can only be used after it is completely dry.

pros
  • reliably protects from all blood-sucking insects.
Cons
  • toxic, may cause headache and dizziness if used incorrectly.
Mosquill antimite
5
Produced in a convenient bottle with two protective caps.
Expert rating:
8.8
/
10

The product is easy to spray and dries quickly on clothes. Do not apply to skin. It has an acaricidal effect: it causes the death of the tick 5 minutes after exposure.

pros
  • affordable price;
  • nice smell;
  • convenient to use.
Cons
  • toxic, may cause allergic reactions.
Argus
6
The spray reliably protects against ticks and other insects.
Expert rating:
9.9
/
10

The active ingredient alfaciperemethrin has a nerve-paralytic effect on parasites. The preparation is intended for processing of clothes, tents and other equipment. After processing, things must be dried for at least two hours.

pros
  • affordable price;
  • valid for up to two weeks;
  • storage period is three years.
Cons
  • toxic, should not be applied to the skin.

Folk remedies for ticks

In addition to special chemicals for protection against parasites, you can use less toxic mixtures prepared according to folk recipes. However, it should be understood that their effectiveness is much lower.

Essential oils

Ticks do not tolerate strong odors; this is the basis for the repellent effect of essential oils. The following oils are most effective in controlling parasites:

  • eucalyptus;
  • Melissa;
  • mint;
  • geranium;
  • basil;
  • tea tree.

They are never used in their pure form due to their high concentration. For the preparation of protective mixtures, vegetable oil or an alcohol solution is used.

Alcohol based spray

Alcohol spray will be a reliable protection against insects. Such a tool has low toxicity, it can be applied to the body. For cooking you will need:

  • medical alcohol - 2 tsp;
  • water - 1 glass;
  • geranium or basil essential oil - 2 tsp

Place all ingredients in a container with a lid and mix thoroughly. After that, using a sprayer, apply to clothing and exposed areas of the body. Can be stored in a closed container for up to six months.

Vinegar Spray

The repellent effect of this remedy is also based on the intolerance of pungent odors by ticks. To prepare the spray, you will need the following ingredients:

  • water - 2 tsp;
  • table vinegar - 4 tsp;
  • essential oil of mint or eucalyptus - 10-15 drops.

Place all ingredients in a container with a lid and mix thoroughly. Use with a spray bottle. It is allowed to apply to open areas of the body. You can store up to 6 months.

Valerian cologne

Valerian cologne will scare away not only ticks, but also mosquitoes. To prepare the mixture you will need:

  • any cologne - 1 tablespoon;
  • drops of valerian - 10-15.

Place the ingredients in a container with a tight lid, mix. To use, moisten a cotton swab with the product and apply to exposed skin.

Repellents for pregnant women and young children

Pregnant women and children should use repellents with extreme caution due to their high toxicity. For a long time there were disputes about the harmfulness of DEET drugs for these categories of people, but recent studies have shown that drugs with a low concentration of this substance do not adversely affect the fetus and children.

However, these funds should not be used to protect children under the age of 2 months. For older children and pregnant women, it is recommended to choose products with a DEET concentration of 10-25%. But even such products are forbidden to apply to children on the skin, only on clothes.

Unique TEST of tick protection products

The best animal protection products

For the protection of animals, preparations for external and internal use can be used. These are the most popular and effective among them.

Drops at the withers (Hartz Ultra Guard, Advantix, Frontline Combo). The active substances of the drug quickly penetrate the skin, accumulate in the sebaceous glands. Upon contact with treated skin and hair, the tick dies without having time to bite.
Collars and overalls (Foresto, Kiltis). They are an alternative to drops at the withers, they act on the same principle, but have a shorter duration. In addition, they repel parasites only from a specific area of ​​the body.
Sprays from ticks (Frontline, Bolfo). Sprays and aerosols can have both deterrent and destructive effects. They are quite effective, their effect lasts up to two weeks, but they have a significant drawback: there is a risk of poisoning when licking the wool immediately after treatment. For this reason, you must strictly follow the instructions for use.
Tablets (Frontline Nexgard, Bravecto). The components of the tablet contain doses of a toxic substance that are deadly for a tick, but safe for an animal. The poison circulates in the bloodstream for a long time, as a result of which, immediately after the bite, the insect dies without having time to poison the animal with infected saliva. The only drawback of such tablets is the high cost.

Effective tick repellents for site treatment

All preparations for treating areas from ticks have a common drawback - they are very toxic, so they must be used with extreme caution. They are divided into three groups.

Pyrethroids (battering ram, Dr. Klaus, akaritos, cygathrin). The active substances have a nerve-paralytic effect, as a result of which the insect dies almost instantly.
Preparations-organophosphorus compounds (dobrokhim, forssay). The drugs have the same mechanism of action as the drugs of the previous group, but they have a stronger effect on the postembryonic stages of development of insects and mites.
Multicomponent preparations (acarocide, favorite). These are preparations that have two or more active substances in their composition, which guarantees the complete destruction of pests.

Basic rules for treatment with anti-tick preparations

In order not to harm health, when treating with anti-tick drugs, certain rules must be followed. Among them:

  1. Follow the instructions: do not apply the drug to the skin if it is prohibited, take into account the age and recommendations of the manufacturer.
  2. Avoid contact with eyes, handle in a well-ventilated area or outdoors.
  3. For processing the site, choose calm weather with a low probability of precipitation.
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