20.06.2025 11:14
The increase in tick-related deaths in Turkey has led citizens to seek ways to protect themselves from ticks using aromatic oils. The most requested oils at herbal shops are lavender, mint, eucalyptus, and lemon. Food Engineer Adil Nezih Kayışoğlu warned that these oils can cause allergic reactions due to their concentrated form, and therefore, they should be used diluted with water.
With the warming of the weather across Turkey, the increasing cases of ticks are causing concern among citizens. Especially in the Central Anatolia Region, due to the rise in tick-related deaths, citizens have started searching for solutions. Following social media posts claiming that a mixture made with aromatic oils can repel ticks when applied to the body, citizens flocked to herbalists. Adil Nezih Kayışoğlu, a food engineer running a herbal shop in Çorum, stated that citizens frequently ask for lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, and mint oils.
"WE RECOMMEND MINT, LAVENDER, LEMON, AND EUCALYPTUS OILS"
Kayışoğlu, who noted that the sharp scent of aromatic oils repels ticks, said, "We have some natural mixtures that we have been recommending for years against pests like lice and ticks. We particularly recommend these mixtures made from oils such as mint oil, lavender oil, lemon oil, and eucalyptus oil to our customers."
"MIXTURES SHOULD NOT BE APPLIED PURELY"
Kayışoğlu, who emphasized that the oils should be diluted with water and should not be applied directly to the skin, stated, "Customers generally dilute these oils with water and fill spray bottles at home for use. These mixtures should not be applied purely because in concentrated form, they can cause allergic reactions on the skin. In their diluted form, they can be sprayed all over the body. We know that ticks tend to attach themselves more to soft and hairy areas like armpits. Therefore, we recommend more intensive protection for these areas. With the increase in tick cases over the last 10-15 days, these mixtures have come back into focus." he said.
"SHARP-SCENTED PRODUCTS KEEP PESTS AWAY"
Kayışoğlu stated, "Vinegar can also be used as an alternative. People who have vinegar at home can dilute it with water and spray or apply it to their bodies in a way that the smell is not too strong. Because sharp-scented products help keep pests like lice, fleas, and ticks away. Lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, and mint oils are effective in this regard. Those who wish can also mix these oils themselves at home." he expressed.
"WE NEED TO USE IT IN SPRAY FORM BY MIXING WITH WATER"
Enes Varlı, who wanted to procure the mixtures he saw on social media by coming to the herbalist, said, "I came across some videos about ticks on the internet and social media. These videos mentioned some oils. I got curious and came to the herbalist to get information about these oils and asked how I should use them. We need to mix these oils and use them in spray form with water. Right now, tick cases are quite prevalent and widespread in our country. Since we deal with vineyard and garden work, we are understandably a bit anxious. There are many videos circulating on social media about this. You can obtain the oils from herbalists; they have been very helpful. I can use them comfortably right now." he said.
TICK-RELATED DEATHS IN TURKEY
This year in Turkey, the number of deaths due to Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) caused by ticks has reached alarming levels. Especially in Sivas, many citizens have lost their lives to ticks. Deaths due to tick bites have also occurred in Kayseri and Çorum provinces. These data indicate that the rates of infections and deaths related to tick bites have increased, particularly in Central Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia, and the inner parts of the Black Sea region. Experts warn citizens to wear light-colored, long-sleeved clothing when going to green, rural areas, tuck their pants into their socks, and check areas like behind the ears, groin, knees, and inner elbows when returning home. Additionally, experts advise that when a tick attaches, citizens should not attempt to remove it themselves and should seek medical attention.