A mother and a biochemist in Canada have developed an all-natural tick repellent spray that aims to protect against tick-borne illnesses without the use of harsh chemicals. The spray, named Pureguard, utilizes compounds from essential oils as an alternative to conventional repellents that often contain DEET.
DEET-based repellents create a vapor barrier that prevents ticks from detecting body heat, but they can also cause skin irritation, redness, and in rare cases, neurological issues. The new spray uses Citriodiol, derived from the oil of the Eucalyptus citriodora tree, also known as lemon-scented gum.
According to the CDC, Citriodiol concentrations above 30 percent can offer mosquito protection for six to 10 hours. The compound has also been linked to approximately five hours of protection against deer ticks and lone star ticks, which can transmit Lyme disease and Alpha-gal syndrome, respectively. Citriodiol is believed to work by interfering with ticks' sensory receptors, masking a human's presence.
Research conducted by Dr. Nicolette Faraone and her colleagues at Acadia University in Nova Scotia tested lemon eucalyptus oil on humans and lab models. Their findings, published earlier this year, indicated that the oil significantly repelled blacklegged ticks and American dog ticks compared to a control solution. The oil demonstrated effectiveness comparable to a DEET-containing solution. Blacklegged ticks are known vectors for Lyme disease and babesiosis, while American dog ticks can carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Additional studies have shown that Citriodiol can reduce the attachment of castor bean ticks on humans. These ticks, found in Europe and North Africa, can transmit Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis, a viral illness that can lead to meningitis and brain swelling. Pureguard spray has been shown to protect against blacklegged ticks, which transmit Lyme disease
Pureguard is sold online and in retail stores in Canada. The researchers highlight that Citriodiol has low transdermal absorption, which reduces the risk of irritation and serious side effects like headaches, high blood pressure, nausea, and vomiting.
The development of Pureguard was inspired by Lisa Learning, a mother whose two sons were diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2016. After her sons, Lucas and Darian Wallet, recovered with antibiotic treatment, Learning sought a preventative solution. She collaborated with Faraone, an expert in lemongrass oil's effects on tick prevention, leading to the creation of the botanical spray. Learning hopes the spray will offer protection against tick-borne illnesses to individuals in both Canada and the United States, noting an increase in ticks in Nova Scotia and broader concerns about tick populations in the U.S.