In short:
- The 4 natural sprays that work against ticks (Pranarôm, Puressentiel, Ladrôme, Aries) rely on the same plant-based active: citriodiol, derived from lemon eucalyptus, dosed between 20 and 30%
- On duration, Ladrôme lasts longest against mosquitoes (11 h) and Puressentiel against ticks (6 h 30); Pranarôm claims 10 h on mosquitoes and 5 h on ticks
- The Pranarôm Aromapic milky spray (€13.50) is the only one in the comparison compatible with pregnancy from the 4th month and extended by a PranaBB baby range, while Puressentiel excludes pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Expect to pay €12.79 (Aries) to €14.50 (Puressentiel) for 100 ml: the price gap between the four stays minimal
Contents
- Why can a natural mosquito repellent also protect against ticks?
- Which active makes a natural mosquito repellent work against ticks?
- Comparison of the 4 natural mosquito and tick repellent brands
- Comparison table: Pranarôm vs Puressentiel vs Ladrôme vs Aries
- Which natural tick repellent should you choose for your profile?
- How to use a natural mosquito and tick repellent properly?
- Frequently asked questions
Why can a natural mosquito repellent also protect against ticks?
A natural mosquito and tick repellent targets two very different pests with a single formula. Mosquitoes bite in flight, while ticks wait in tall grass and climb up the legs. The good news: the plant molecule that repels one also repels the other.
Ticks are active from March to October, peaking in spring. They attach mostly to ankles, calves and skin folds. A tick removed within the first few hours sharply reduces the risk of infection, which is why a repellent barrier matters before heading into wooded areas.
Many walkers want to avoid DEET, the synthetic active in conventional repellents. The French health agency ANSES advises against it for pregnant women and children under 2. Natural sprays answer that demand, provided they contain the right active at the right dose.
That is where brands part ways. A citronella-only spray smells nice but offers no serious tick protection. Four French brands genuinely deliver on this front: Pranarôm, Puressentiel, Ladrôme and Aries.
Which active makes a natural mosquito repellent work against ticks?
The answer comes down to one word: citriodiol. This substance, also called PMD (para-menthane-3,8-diol), is obtained from lemon eucalyptus essential oil. It repels both mosquitoes and ticks, whereas most other essential oils only act on mosquitoes.
“PMD, derived from lemon eucalyptus oil, is the only plant-based repellent recommended for preventing bites from insects and disease-carrying ticks.” World Health Organization, 2023
To target ticks, citriodiol must be dosed between 20 and 30%. Below that, the effect on ticks becomes negligible. The four sprays in this comparison meet that threshold, which explains their similar protection times, between 5 and 6 h 30.
Other natural actives play in a different league. Java citronella, the best known to the public, lasts under an hour and mainly targets mosquitoes. Geraniol, extracted from rose geranium, does slightly better but stays limited on ticks.
| Natural active | Source | Action on ticks | Indicative duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citriodiol (PMD) | Lemon eucalyptus | Recognised, at 20-30% | 5 to 6 h 30 |
| Citronella essential oil | Java citronella | Weak | under 1 h |
| Geraniol | Rose geranium | Moderate, mostly mosquitoes | 1 to 2 h |
| Essential oil blend | Several essential oils | Variable by formula | 2 to 4 h |
The takeaway is clear: behind the “100% natural” marketing, the sprays that truly work against ticks almost all use the same molecule. The real sorting happens on dose, duration and safety, not on the plant printed across the bottle. The same logic applies when picking a single essential oil, as detailed in our aromatherapy beginners guide.
Comparison of the 4 natural mosquito and tick repellent brands
The four brands selected are available in pharmacies, drugstores and organic shops, with an explicit tick claim on the label. The evaluation criteria cover the active, protection time against mosquitoes and ticks, minimum age, pregnancy compatibility and price.
Pranarôm Aromapic: the most complete aromatherapy range
Pranarôm is a Belgian laboratory specialised in essential oils since 1991. For bites, its Pranarôm mosquito and tick range covers the whole chain: prevention, after-bite soothing, and protection of air and fabrics.
The Aromapic milky mosquito and tick spray (100 ml, €13.50) combines citriodiol dosed at 19.9% with a blend of organic essential oils. It claims 10 hours of protection against mosquitoes and 5 hours against ticks. Its milky texture is less drying than the alcohol-based formulas of its competitors.
Its real strength lies elsewhere. It is the only spray in the comparison usable by pregnant women from the 4th month. The brand extends the offer with the PranaBB baby range: anti-mosquito roller from 6 months, citronella diffusion from 3 months, after-bite roller. No other brand here goes that low in age or opens up to pregnancy.
The caveat to know: 5 hours on ticks is the shortest duration of the four. For a full day in the forest, you will need to reapply more often than with a Puressentiel.
Puressentiel: the longest tick protection
The Puressentiel Anti-Tick Repellent Spray (100 ml, €14.50) relies on citriodiol dosed at 30%. The result: 6 h 30 against ticks and common mosquitoes, up to 7 h on tropical mosquitoes. It is the best tick duration in the comparison, and the logical choice for prolonged exposure.
The downside: it is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or children under 6 months. Its formula is 88.2% natural, the rest ensuring the spray’s stability and diffusion.
Ladrôme: the longest mosquito protection
The Ladrôme mosquito and tick repellent spray (100 ml, €13.90) holds the mosquito-duration crown: 11 hours on common species, 6 hours on tiger mosquitoes and ticks. Made in the Drôme region, it carries TP19 biocide status and uses packaging with at least 26% recycled material. Usable from 6 months.
Aries: the best price
The Aries tick repellent skin spray (100 ml, €12.79) is the most affordable. Its DEET-free formula relies on the same cyclised lemon eucalyptus, for 6 hours of protection. Made in Germany, it is used on the skin from age 3 and on fabrics from 3 months. The brand also offers a dedicated textile version, handy for treating hiking trousers before setting off.
Comparison table: Pranarôm vs Puressentiel vs Ladrôme vs Aries
| Criterion | Pranarôm Aromapic | Puressentiel | Ladrôme | Aries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Repellent active | Citriodiol 19.9% + organic essential oil blend | Citriodiol 30% | Citriodiol 30% | Cyclised lemon eucalyptus (~20%) |
| Mosquito protection | up to 10 h | 6 h 30 (common), 7 h (tropical) | 11 h (common), 6 h (tiger) | not stated |
| Tick protection | up to 5 h | 6 h 30 | 6 h | 6 h |
| Minimum age | from 6 months | from 6 months | from 6 months | skin from age 3, fabric from 3 months |
| Pregnancy | yes, from 4th month | no | not stated | not stated |
| Format and price | 100 ml, €13.50 | 100 ml, €14.50 | 100 ml, €13.90 | 100 ml, €12.79 |
| Verdict | Widest range, only pregnancy and baby option | Longest tick duration | Longest mosquito duration | Cheapest |
Comparison based on the data shown by the brands in June 2026. Durations reflect the manufacturers’ test conditions and drop with perspiration and swimming. For a broader view of sprays, the best natural mosquito repellent spray brands comparison complements this tick-focused selection.
Which natural tick repellent should you choose for your profile?
For a family with a baby
Pranarôm stands out with no real rival. It is the only brand with a complete baby range, with diffusion from 3 months and an anti-mosquito roller from 6 months. The other three skin sprays start at 6 months or 3 years.
For a pregnant woman
The choice narrows to a single product in this comparison: the Pranarôm Aromapic milky spray, approved from the 4th month of pregnancy. Puressentiel explicitly advises against it, while Ladrôme and Aries stay silent. When in doubt, medical advice is still recommended.
For a hiker in tick-prone areas
Prioritise duration. Puressentiel (6 h 30) and Ladrôme (6 h on ticks, 11 h on mosquitoes) limit reapplication over a full day. The Aries textile version, sprayed on trousers and socks, adds a useful barrier in the undergrowth.
For a small budget
Aries stays the simplest at €12.79, with the bonus of dual skin and fabric use. The price gap with the others does not exceed €1.71, making it a secondary criterion next to safety and duration. To go further on value for money, the best organic mosquito repellent spray guide details the labels and certifications to check.
How to use a natural mosquito and tick repellent properly?
No spray protects continuously. The stated duration reflects test conditions, never a full day of walking in the heat.
Apply the product to exposed areas, ankles and calves first, since ticks climb from the ground. Avoid the eye area, mucous membranes and broken skin. Reapply every 4 to 6 hours, and after each swim or heavy sweating.
Pair it with light, covering clothing that makes a tick easy to spot. If you also use sunscreen, leave 20 minutes between the two to avoid interactions between the formulas.
When you get back from a wooded area, check the skin, folds and scalp. A tick spotted and removed quickly reduces the risk of transmission. The repellent is a first barrier, not a guarantee: it is the combination of spray, clothing and inspection that truly protects.
Frequently asked questions
Which brands offer a natural mosquito repellent that works against ticks?
Four brands lead this segment in France: Pranarôm (Aromapic milky spray, €13.50, 5 h on ticks), Puressentiel (Anti-Tick Repellent Spray, €14.50, 6 h 30), Ladrôme (€13.90, 6 h) and Aries (€12.79, 6 h). All use citriodiol derived from lemon eucalyptus, dosed between 20 and 30%.
Is citriodiol really natural?
Yes, it is derived from lemon eucalyptus essential oil, then transformed to stabilise its repellent molecule, PMD. It is the only plant-based substance recognised by the World Health Organization as effective against both mosquitoes and ticks.
Does a natural mosquito repellent protect against ticks as well as a chemical one?
A spray with citriodiol dosed at 30% (Puressentiel, Ladrôme) lasts 6 to 6 h 30 against ticks, versus up to 8 h for DEET. The gap exists but stays reasonable for everyday family use, with a formula that is gentler on the skin.
Which natural tick repellent is right for a child or a pregnant woman?
Pranarôm is the only brand in this comparison compatible with pregnancy (from the 4th month) and available in a baby range, PranaBB (diffusion from 3 months). Puressentiel, by contrast, is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
How long does a natural tick repellent spray protect?
From 5 to 6 h 30 depending on the brand: 5 h for Pranarôm, 6 h for Ladrôme and Aries, 6 h 30 for Puressentiel. These durations drop with perspiration and swimming, so reapply every 4 to 6 hours.