Researchers at Acadia University have developed a first-of-its-kind spray repellent for ticks that’s expected to be available soon.
Dr. Nicoletta Faraone was recognized with a national Mitacs Award for Outstanding Innovation for her groundbreaking work developing Canada’s first all-natural, long-lasting fabric spray tick repellent.
Working with Nova Scotia-based Atlan-Tick Repellent Products, Dr. Faraone’s team discovered that certain essential oils impair a tick’s ability to smell, effectively blocking them from locating hosts such as humans and pets. This finding led to the development of a spray repellent, which uses lemongrass essential oil.
“Lemongrass oil is not only effective but also environmentally friendly,” says Dr. Faraone. “It’s a win-win for those looking to protect themselves from ticks without the drawbacks of synthetic chemicals.”
The team’s findings were published in Current Research in Insect Science, and could pave the way for more effective, natural tick repellents, offering an alternative to DEET.
Originally published in the Jan.-Dec. 2026 issue of Ontario Out of Doors
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