DIY Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs

Flea and tick season is here. There are several available options to protect your pet against flea and tick infestations. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the most suitable treatment.  Commercial topical treatments are available at most pet and farm supply stores.  If you prefer to protect your dog naturally, essential oil blends applied directly to your dog’s skin or to a bandana worn around their neck can be effective. With the right blends, you can repel biting insects effectively—and safely.

Commercial topical treatments and oral preventives are widely available through veterinary clinics and most pet or farm supply stores. If you prefer a more natural route, some essential oil blends can help repel fleas and ticks when used correctly. These can be applied to your dog’s collar or a bandana worn around their neck—never directly to the skin unless properly diluted.

Essential oils like peppermint, lemon eucalyptus, geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), cedarwood, lavender, and neem are known for their insect-repelling properties. Peppermint’s strong scent helps keep ticks away, lemon eucalyptus is especially effective against ticks, and geranium and cedarwood add extra layers of protection (and they smell nice, too). Always dilute essential oils with a carrier such as fractionated coconut or almond oil before use.

Proper storage matters, too: keep your blends in dark glass bottles, away from sunlight and heat, and always label them. Essential oils lose potency when exposed to air or high temperatures, and some can even degrade plastic containers over time.

Public Service Announcement (PSA):

In Ontario and other regions where cooler weather and rain have returned, tick activity has spiked again. I’ve personally removed three ticks from my dogs in just the past two days. With warmer temperatures extending tick season and milder winters becoming the norm, year-round prevention is now essential to protect your dog from tick-borne diseases.

It’s tick season! Here is everything we are going to be covering:

• • Which essential oils actually work

  • How to store these oils

  • The choice between commercial and natural flea and tick prevention options

    Over-the-counter preventives are readily available at most pet and farm supply stores. Before starting any flea and tick prevention protocol with your dog, it’s always best to consult your veterinarian for guidance on what’s safest and most effective for your pet.

  • How to apply natural repellents safely

  • DIY Tick Prevention Recipe

  • Karen’s Homemade Doggy Insect Repellent

Which Essential Oils Repel Biting Insects?

Many essential oils repel biting insects, including lavender, eucalyptus, lemongrass, peppermint, rosemary, geranium, clove, clary sage, and cedar wood.

• Peppermint Oil: Has strong scent and menthol content, which can help deter ticks from attaching to pets. However, it should be used cautiously and diluted properly, as it can be too potent for direct application on dogs, especially on sensitive breeds.
• Lemon Eucalyptus Oil: This oil is a tick repellent MVP. Look for it in health food stores or online. Choose products that specify “lemon eucalyptus” and not just “eucalyptus” for the best tick-repelling action.
• Geranium Oil: Particularly, the Pelargonium graveolens variety works best against ticks. You can find it in specialty health stores or online. Ensure it’s pure essential oil for effective tick prevention.
• Cedarwood Oil: Available in most health food stores or online. When shopping, opt for 100% pure cedarwood oil to ensure you’re getting the full tick-repelling benefits.
• Lavender Oil: Widely available due to its popularity for relaxation and sleep aid. Purchase from health food stores, pharmacies, or online retailers. Make sure it’s therapeutic grade for maximum effectiveness against ticks.
• Neem Oil: This might be a bit harder to find in brick-and-mortar stores, but it’s readily available online. Look for cold-pressed, 100% pure neem oil for both tick prevention and other healthful benefits.

 

Is an Essential Oil insect repellant safe for humans? 

The benefit of making your insect repellents with essential oils is they are safe for your dog and you too! No more toxic, unknown chemicals soaking into your skin, or your dog’s coat and skin, for better tick prevention. 

Storage of Essential Oil Blends

Always store essential oil blends in a dark glass bottle or opaque spray bottle:

1. Cool & Dark Places: Essential oils and their blends last longer when stored in cool, dark places. Light and heat can break down the oils, reducing their potency. A cupboard away from direct sunlight or a storage box works great.
2. Glass Containers: These bottles block out light, helping preserve the oils better. Plus, essential oils can degrade plastic containers over time, so glass is the way to go.
3. Tight Seals: Make sure your storage containers are tightly sealed. Exposure to air can oxidize the oils, changing their composition and effectiveness. Basically, keep the lid on tight when you’re not using them.
4. Label Everything: Trust me, you might think you’ll remember what’s in each blend, but it’s better to label them with their contents and the date you made them. This helps keep track of their freshness and ensures you’re using them at their best.
5. Keep Away from Pets and Children: Some essential oils can be harmful if ingested or applied to the skin undiluted. Store them somewhere out of reach of curious hands and paws.
6. Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Try not to store your oils in places that get very hot or very cold, which can affect their quality. A stable, cool temperature is ideal.

 

Application 

For the following blends:
Apply 2-4 drops or spray topically to your dog’s neck, between their shoulders, chest, legs and base of their tail. You can also add the drops to a bandana or cotton collar. 

Scroll more to see the DIY recipe:

DIY Recipes for Flea Repellant

Disclaimer: In my recipes, I opt for specific brands of essential oils and ingredients based on personal experience and trust in their quality and effectiveness. I encourage you to research and select brands that meet your standards for safety. Success in flea and tick prevention can vary with the quality of ingredients used. Always conduct a patch test on your pet with any new product to ensure there are no adverse reactions.

 

I. *Flea-Free Essential Oil Blend: Blend the following ingredients together and store in a dark glass bottle or opaque spray bottle:

• ½ ounce (15 ml) carrier oil (hazelnut, sweet almond, fractionated coconut or Calendula oil)
• 4 drops Clary Sage, Salvia sclarea, essential Oil 
• 1 drop Citronella, Cymbopogon, essential oil
• 7 drops Peppermint, Mentha piperita,  essential oil

 

II. *Goodbye Ticks Essential Oil Blend

• ½ ounce (15 ml) carrier oil (hazelnut, sweet almond, fractionated coconut or Calendula oil)
• 2 drops Geranium, Pelargonium Graveolens, essential oil
• 2 drops Rosewood, Aniba roseadora, essential oil
• 2 drops Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, essential oil
• 2 drops Myrhh, Commiphora myrrha, essential oil
• 2 drops Opoponax, Comminphora erythraea, essential oil
• 1 drop Bay Leaf, Pimento racemosa, essential oil

 

III. Karen’s Homemade Doggy Insect Repellent Blend:  Here is what I use from my DoTerra Inventory:

• Add a total of 10-15 drops of any of the oils below:
• 2 drops of each of  lavender, eucalyptus, lemongrass, peppermint, rosemary, geranium, and cedar wood (or whatever I have in stock from the above list) to 2 ounces of gently organic soap or a carrier oil such as Fractionated Coconut oil or Hazelnut or Calendula oil
• Pour the mixture into a dark glass 16 oz spray bottle
• Top with water and spray your pet each day; rub into their coat and in the areas where insects bite (ears, neck, between shoulders, beneath legs, base of tail). Alternatively, spray onto a bandana, let the bandana dry and tie it around your dog’s neck. 

 

IV. Commercial Blends – 

• When travelling I prefer the convenience of commercial blends. I use a pre-made repellent blend called Terrashield made by DoTerra. This blend comes in a bottle for drop-by-drop application, or in a spray bottle for easier application. 

 

DIY Flea and Tick Repellent Collar – Use a cloth collar or bandana 

1. Add any of the above blends to a cloth collar or bandana
2. To make a blend specifically for your dog’s collar or bandana – mix 5 drops each of cedarwood, geranium, and lavender (or any combination of the oils that repel biting insects) into a dark glass bottle and shake well to mix.
3. Evenly disperse by applying drops of the essential oils blend over the collar or bandana.
4. Repeat every few days to a week, as the oils will evaporate. 
5. Re-application will needed if your dog has been in the water.  

 

References:

*Holistic Aroma Therapy for Animals – a comprehensive guide to the use of essential oils and hydrosols with animals, Kristen Leigh Bell, Findhorn Press, Scotland UK, 2002, Pg. 153
The Aromatic Dog – Essential oils, hydrosols and herbal oils for everyday dog care: A Practical Guide, Nayana Morag, Off the Leash Press, 2015.
Click here for Top 10 Supplements and Essential Oils to Support Your Dog – a handy reference by Dr. Judy Roark, DVM
Click here for your natural flea and tick Essential Oil prevention – Protect your dog from biting insect pests.

 

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