Here is What I Do for Tick Prevention + Support as a Holistically Minded Nurse & Mama.

Ticks are one of the things I take seriously as a mom — especially with kids constantly outside, in the grass, woods, and around animals.

Instead of reacting after the fact, I like to have a simple plan for:

• Prevention

• What to do immediately after a bite

• How we support the body afterward

I have found that having a plan or my favorite moto "be prepared, not scared" helps me stay calm instead of spiraling when I find a tick.

So here is exactly what we do.

Tick Prevention (What We Do Daily)

1. DIY Essential Oil Spray

Before heading outside, we use a simple spray with essential oils.

Certain oils (like cedarwood, geranium, citronella, tea tree, etc.) are commonly used to help naturally deter insects.

My DIY Bug Spray recipe:

• 2 ounce spray bottle

• 10-15 drops of essential oil (cedarwood, citronella, geranium, tea tree)

• fill 1/4 of the bottle with apple cider vinegar

• fill the remaining 3/4 of the bottle with witch hazel

2. Yard Support

We’ve made a few simple changes to reduce tick exposure:

• Cedarwood chips around play areas. The natural aroma emitted by the cedar granules acts as a powerful deterrent without posing any harm to your family or the environment.

• Keeping grass trimmed

• Free range Chickens (if you can have them). Chickens are actually known to eat ticks, which can help naturally reduce the population in your yard over time. This study found that a chicken ate on average 81 ticks an hour when put on a tick infested pasture. Just another reason to become a "chicken lady".

3. Pet Protection

Pets can easily bring ticks inside.

We use a natural spray on our dogs like Dr. Mercola’s Flea and Tick Defense spray as an added layer of protection.

4. Daily Tick Checks

This is honestly the most important step.

Do a quick skin check and make sure to thoroughly check these areas:

• Behind ears

• Hairline

• Under arms

• Behind knees

The sooner you find a tick and remove it, the better.

What We Do If We Find a Tick

1. Remove It Properly

We use a tick removal tool or tweezers to safely remove it.

The goal is to:

• Remove it fully

• Avoid squeezing or irritating the area

2. Clean the Area Immediately

Right after removal, we clean the area using a hypochlorous spray (like Active Skin Repair).

Hypochlorous acid is something your body naturally produces as part of the immune response.
Topically, it helps support:

• Cleanse the skin

• Healthy healing

• Antimicrobial support to help can prevent infection at the site of the bite

3. Support the Skin

After cleaning, we apply a bentonite clay paste.

Bentonite clay has traditionally been used to:

• Help draw impurities/toxins from the skin

• Support the skin’s natural detox processes

This step is simple, but something I always do right away. I buy the bentonite clay powder and mix it with water to turn it into a thick paste and then apply it right over the bite.

4. Ledum (Homeopathic Support)

Ledum is commonly used in homeopathy for:

• Puncture wounds (like bites)

• Skin irritation from insect bites

It’s something many people keep on hand specifically for tick bites and similar situations. I personally keep this in a bag with my tick key, hypochlorous acid spray and bentonite clay so I can give the first dose right away.

5. Immune Support

After a tick bite, I like to focus on supporting the body as a whole — not just the skin.

These are the three things we personally keep on hand:

1. Foundation Formula

Foundation Formula is commonly used as part of practitioner-guided plans supporting people working through Lyme disease and tick-borne illness protocols, where immune resilience, stress adaptation, and detox support often need to move together.

It’s formulated to:

• Supports recovery and resilience when you feel run down

• Promotes balanced immune support during higher-demand seasons

• Helps the body adapt to stress and maintain steadier baseline capacity

• Supports neuroendocrine function, including adrenal support

• Supports liver function, bile flow, and healthy detox pathways with antioxidant support

  💡 I think of this as the heavy hitter if we get a tick bite.

2. Essential Immune Support

This is one of my go-to blends for foundational immune support especially since they have a kids powdered formula that is safe for babies and kids as well as an adult formula.

It typically includes nutrients that help:

• Support normal immune function

• Provide antioxidant support

• Help the body respond to environmental stressors

💡 I think of this as a gentle, daily baseline — especially during times when immune support feels important.

3. Immune R-MOR

Vervita Immune R-Mor one is a bit more comprehensive, which is why I like having it on hand.

It combines:

✔ Vitamins

Help maintain normal immune function and support the body’s natural defenses.

✔ Multi-Organ Nutrients

Organ-based supplements provide naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, and cofactors in forms the body recognizes and uses efficiently.

These can support:

• Nutrient density

• Whole-body resilience

• Overall wellness

✔ Herbs

Traditionally used to:

• Support immune balance

• Help the body adapt during times of stress

• Promote overall wellness

💡 This is one I often reach for when I want multi-layered support in one place.

When to Check in With a Healthcare Provider

Always monitor for:

• Bullseye rash

• Fever

• Fatigue

• Flu-like symptoms

If any of these show up, I always recommend reaching out to your favorite healthcare provider and you may want to consider antibiotics. If you do end up needing to take a round of antibiotics I wrote a blog post on Post Antibiotic Support & How to Restore your Gut Naturally that you can find here.

Shop My Tick Kit

• 20% OFF on Fullscript here (Foundation Formula Supplement made specifically for post tick bites, Ledum Homeopathy, Active Skin Repair, Dr. Mercola Flea and Tick Defense Spray, Bentonite Clay)

• Amazon link (cedarwood chips, DIY Bug spray supplies)

• 15% off Active Skin Repair Hypochlorous Acid Spray

• 10% OFF Essential Immune Support from Dr. Green Mom with code: holisticheidi10

• 15% OFF Immune R-Mor from Vervita through my practitioner account here. It is free to sign up but you will need my Registration code to create an account for the 15% off. Registration code: HP6259

This isn’t about fear — it’s about being prepared. Having a simple plan in place helps me feel more calm, confident and prepared. . . And it allows my kids to keep enjoying the outdoors — which is something I never want to take away.

Want me to send you everything we keep in our tick kit?
→ Comment "TICK" on my latest post here and I'll dm you the links!