Homemade Flea and Tick Remedy

Fleas and ticks can cause a wide variety of problems for your pets. They can cause skin irritations, allergic reactions, and transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or tapeworms. Death is even possible on rare occasions. Inspect your pet often for fleas and ticks. If there are fleas or ticks present on your pet, there are non-chemical and drug-free remedies available to rid your pet of of these pests.

Things You'll Need

  • Lemons
  • Grapefruit
  • Oranges
  • Limes
  • Large cooking pot
  • Cheesecloth
  • Storage containers
  • Vegetable oil
  • Lavender essential oil
  • Peppermint essential oil
  • Geranium essential oil
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Instructions

  1. Citrus Flea Bath

    • 1

      Cut a dozen citrus fruits in half. You can use all of one kind or a combination of lemon, limes, grapefruit and oranges. Squeeze the juice and pulp out of the fruit and discard.

    • 2

      Put the rinds in a large pot and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil, then simmer on low heat for several hours, until the rinds become mushy.

    • 3

      Remove the rinds and mash them to extract as much liquid as possible. Return the liquid to the pot. Simmer for several more hours, allowing the liquid to cook down.

    • 4

      Cool the liquid and pour it through a cheesecloth to remove any pulp. Bottle the liquid and store it in the refrigerator or freezer.

    • 5

      Apply the liquid to your pet's coat daily, using a soft cloth. The citrus solution will kill existing fleas on contact. You may also add a half cup to your pet's bath.

    Tick Repellent

    • 6

      Combine two tablespoons vegetable oil with 10 to 25 drops of lavender, peppermint or rose geranium essential oils in a small jar. Shake the jar to mix the oils together.

    • 7

      Place two or three drops of the oil on your pet's collar. Do not use more. The essential oils will greatly reduce the number of ticks currently on your pet.

    • 8

      Store the oil in a glass jar. It has a six month shelf life. Use the oil as needed, to keep your pet free of ticks.