This tick repellent developed by a Mom in Atlantic Canada was distributed last year under the name Atlan-tick and is now called PureGard and is available at the Millbrook Village Apothecary.
A new tick repellent is now available offering protection during the upcoming summer camping, hiking and picnic season.
Like many new products, this one was developed out of the need with no current satisfactory solution. Lisa Learning’s two sons developed chronic pain and trouble walking in 2016 a diagnosis of Lyme disease from tick bites came as a shock to her. They recovered with a strong dose of antibiotics, but the experience transformed the mother’s perception of the outdoors from a safe playground for her children to a danger zone, and launched her journey to discover a safe and effective solution to this pervasive health threat. She discovered that repellents available at the time included harsh, toxic chemicals she did not want to use on her children, or natural essential oil remedies that were ineffective. She wanted a product she was comfortable applying to her children’s skin every day to ensure they could enjoy the outdoors and give her peace of mind.
She began to apply her indigenous knowledge and tinkering with essential oils, eventually bringing some of her formulas to Acadia University’s Biology Department for further testing. The result was the creation of a DEET-free preventative spray made of all natural ingredients called AtlanTick Repellent, a nod to her home in Nova Scotia. It is a botanical insecticide derived from the leaves of the Eucalyptus Citriodora tree. The formula relies on a plant-based ingredient commonly found in mosquito repellents. It works by masking the heat and odour of our bodies to create a natural camouflage, misdirecting insects so they do not land on the body.
Her first product was 80 to 85% effective, but to be approved by Health Canada a product must be 95% effective. Three years later, the her formula is now 98% effective and was approved earlier this year after tests demonstrated that the product was safe for children and pets. The repellent, sold under the trade name Pure-Gard, allows families to enjoy the outdoors without worrying about potential infection from ticks. The clear spray can be applied to exposed skin, won’t stain clothes or outdoor gear, and will keep mosquitos at bay for up to six hours and ticks for five hours. This botanical repellent spray is made in Canada and found in retailers across Atlantic Canada and Ontario, and in Millbrook is available at the Millbrook Village Apothecary.
This safe, effective insect repellent eliminates the concern about pests lurking in bushes and tall grass along our trails and parks that can spread Lyme disease and other tick-bourne illnesses from joining us on our travels. For more information, visit www.pure-gard.ca.