Ladybug, my cousin died from tick fever many years ago and my Dad got Erlichiosis/tick fever last year and was very sick. We are in the forested area of the Ozarks and heavily tick infested. We switched our protection to a product called Sawyer that is made with Permethrin, a natural but lethal to ticks product. We buy it at Wal Mart and I have not had a tick on me since switching. You put it on your clothes, shoes and let it dry. It stays effective up to 6 weeks. While it is still wet it is LETHAL TO CATS but not when it is dry. Good luck, God bless and kindest regards...