Nature’s Organic Solution to Pest Control (Ticks) - Cedar Oil

Extracted from Eastern red cedar and other juniper tree species, cedarwood oil has long been used in various consumer products due to its pleasing scent and anti-fungal properties. In a study comparing cedarwood oil to DEET, an active ingredient in many repellent products, researchers found that different tick species exhibited varying degrees of susceptibility to cedar-wood oil.

Ticks, particularly the black-legged tick, are not only a nuisance but also pose health risks by transmitting disease-causing pathogens. Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium transmitted by the black-legged tick, affects nearly half a million people annually, while other species like the lone star tick can induce severe allergies such as alpha-gal syndrome. The experiments revealed that cedarwood oil was particularly effective against the black-legged tick nymphs, repelling 80 to 94 percent of them upon contact with treated surfaces. 

Supercritical fluid extraction, a method utilizing carbon dioxide to extract cedarwood oil from shavings or sawdust, has shown promise in yielding higher quantities of oil compared to traditional steam distillation methods. This technique not only enhances efficiency but also preserves the quality of the oil, increasing its concentration of cedrol, a biologically active compound responsible for repelling ticks and other insects. 

Using natural organic products such as cedar oil for pest control offer several benefits for both human health and the environment. Unlike synthetic pesticides, natural organic products are derived from plant-based ingredients, making them safer for use around children, pets, and wildlife. Please contact us for more information.