• Cinnamon oil can be a safe alternative to standard pesticides.cinnamon image by Azazirov from Fotolia.com
  
  Ticks are a problem pest from April through September. Ticks are the most common vector of disease, rivaling mosquitoes. Any outdoor enthusiast can risk getting bitten by a tick and perhaps contracting a disease or having an allergic reaction to the bite. Protecting yourself from ticks is an important part of staying healthy. Nontoxic pesticides such as cinnamon oil enhance the wellness of you and your family.
  
  

Tick Overview

• There are two types of ticks that carry the majority of disease to humans. Soft- and hard-bodied ticks are a nuisance from spring into early fall. The tick needs a blood meal to grow and thrive. Without a host, the tick will die. They usually live in low brush so they can connect with a host. Any outdoor activity can bring a human into contact with a tick and jeopardize his or her health. Ticks secrete compounds that cause blood to flow better, and cement their mouths to the host. Both of these can cause infection, itching, allergic reactions, and even pain. Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are two of the many diseases that ticks carry. Some of these diseases can cause death. It is important to check for ticks and tick bites after being outdoors. Symptoms to watch for include pain, nausea, fever and confusion. A visit to the doctor is in order if any of these are combined with evidence of a tick bite.
  
  

Cinnamon Oil as a Pesticide

• Cinnamon oil can be tried in tick eradication.red fuzzy bug image by robert mobley from Fotolia.com
  
  There have been several studies regarding the effectiveness of cinnamon oil on insects. Cinnamon oil has been shown to be very useful in killing mosquitoes and their larvae, and has shown promise with other insects. The oil is not confirmed to be an effective killing agent against ticks, but it does seem to repel them. The scent is the most likely reason. Cinnamon has a very strong smell and spicy taste, and can be overwhelming in those attributes. Oils tend to block breathing in insects, and this may repel them as well. Products already exist for domestic animals that contain spice oils in repellents and treatments. The safety and usefulness of such products indicates they would be beneficial in human products and as outdoor controls.
  
  

Homemade Cinnamon Pesticide

• Treatments for yard pests usually have a chemical and toxic component. These are not safe to use with children and animals in the yard. The chemicals can filter into the water table and contaminate it, and wild animals can be poisoned by their use. A simple recipe to try on lawns and outdoor areas includes cinnamon oil, and is easy and cost-efficient. Cinnamon oil is a "hot" oil, which can burn mucous membranes, eyes, and tender skin. It is advisable to use gloves when preparing the deterrent. Simply add a few drops of cinnamon oil in horticultural oil, and spray on the lawn and any nearby low-foliage plants.You can also dot raw oil around the plants in the dirt, but do not contact the foliage, because the undiluted oil can burn the leaves.