I HATE HATE HATE TICKS. Nothing makes me squirm more than a dang tick. The best repellent I have found is sulphur. You can take an old sock and put some in it and dust your pant legs and around your waste. The local pharamcy even sells soap made out of sulphur. Doesn't smell that bad but sure does work. Chickens and Guinea's are great for tick control. Around the house I spray my yard and pasture with a tick/flea spray with my four wheeler sprayer. I don't see any reason you could spray around your ponds.
