Homemade Cures for Fleas & Ticks

Natural treatments can successfully treat an animal with ticks or fleas without the after-affects or dangers of pesticides. Animals suffer from ticks and fleas throughout the year. Many people hesitate to use chemical ointments and sprays to kill fleas and ticks but in addition to the distress that these itchy creatures can cause to an animal, if left untreated, the bugs can overrun a home.

  1. Neem Oil

    • Rub neem oil over your pet's fur. Neem oil acts as a natural insecticide. The antiseptic and antibacterial properties allow pet owners to apply it to the animal's body without worrying about adverse reactions. Apply the neem oil directly to the animal's coat, add it to shampoo to bath the animal, or dilute it in dishwashing liquid to spray it on your animal.

    Flea Comb

    • Use a flea comb. Fine-toothed flea combs can remove ticks, fleas and their eggs from a pet. Thoroughly wet your animal's fur before combing because a dry flea will jump as soon as you comb it out, perhaps onto your couch or carpet, moving the flea problem to other areas of your house. If you wet the animal's fur, it will impede the flea from moving easily, and you can quickly immerse it in a bowl of water before it has time to recover and jump off. Comb your pet once or twice weekly to prevent a flea and tick infestation, or as much as needed, if your pet already has fleas and ticks. You will find the highest concentration of fleas and ticks around the neck in cats and on the belly and lower back in dogs.

    DIY Repellent

    • Make your own natural flea and tick repellent. Add six or seven drops of an essential oil, such as rosemary, peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus or citronella to a cup of water. Shake it well, and put it into a spray bottle. Spray on a dog (cats are sensitive to essential oils, so don't use this treatment for a cat) to repel ticks and fleas. Keep the spray in a refrigerator, so that it maintains its potency.

    Diatomaceous Earth

    • Clean the house thoroughly to rid the home of any fleas or ticks or their eggs. Vacuum the couches and carpets, and wrap the vacuum bag in plastic before disposing of it -- fleas can crawl out of a vacuum bag and reinfest the house. Wash your pet's bedding. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth, available at lawn-and-garden shops, around these areas, and rub it into your pet's fur.