Myrrh Oil

• According to "Nature's Antiseptics," herbalist Arthur O. Tucker proposed the essential oil of the opoponax plant, also known as bisabol myrrh, as an effective tick repellent. He also speculated that the oil of common myrrh possesses similar properties.
  
  

Rose Geranium Oil

• New York herbalist Barbara Hall claims to have successfully repelled ticks with rose geranium oil, which is nontoxic and non-irritating, yet very expensive. An alternative may be palmarosa oil, which is often sold as rose geranium oil. "Better Basics for the Home" recommends mixing 2 tsp. of rose geranium or palmarosa oil and 2 cups of fresh water. Pour it into a spray bottle and apply externally.
  
  

Other Tick Repellent Botanicals

• The Ohio State University Entomology Department reports several botanical ingredients purportedly repel fleas and ticks, including citronella oil, eucalyptus oil, pennroyal oil, balsam, lavender oil, comfrey, rosemary, calendula and tea tree oil.