Canadian scientists discover simple method to repel 99% of ticks

Canadian researchers have found a surprisingly simple way to dramatically reduce tick populations. A two-year field experiment revealed that the solution may be far easier than previously thought, cutting tick numbers by up to 99%.

Canadian scientists have discovered a straightforward method capable of reducing tick presence by as much as 99%, according to results from a two-year field study. The findings suggest that controlling tick populations may be significantly simpler than experts had previously assumed.

The research team conducted outdoor experiments over two years to test whether basic, low-tech approaches could limit the spread of ticks in natural environments. The results were striking — the methods tested proved far more effective than many conventional strategies currently in use.

Ticks are a growing public health concern across the Northern Hemisphere, including in Estonia and the wider Baltic region, where they are known carriers of Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis. Finding accessible, cost-effective ways to reduce tick exposure is considered a priority by health officials.

While the full details of the specific technique have not yet been widely published, the Canadian team's findings point toward practical, scalable solutions that could be applied in gardens, parks, and forest edges — areas where human-tick contact is most common.

The study adds to a growing body of research exploring non-chemical or minimally invasive methods of pest control, which are increasingly favoured due to environmental concerns over broad pesticide use.