How to Prevent Fleas & Ticks With Oil

Essential oils provide pet owners with a safe, organic way to help keep fleas and ticks away from man's best friend. While essential oil-based solutions are safe for dogs, these products should not be used on cats. Several types of flea-repelling essential oil include tea tree, citronella, lavender and mint. Rose geranium, lavender and nut-based oils are best for keeping ticks at bay. To use an oil-based remedy, make an organic flea shampoo followed by a rose geranium treatment.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 cups distilled water
  • Pot with lid
  • Stove
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon dried soapwort
  • Muslin or cheesecloth
  • 2 Mason jars
  • Eyedropper
  • Lavender essential oil
  • Towels
  • Dog collar
  • Rose geranium
  • 2 tablespoons of almond oil
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Instructions

  1. Flea Shampoo

    • 1

      Add 2 cups of distilled water to a pot. Place on the stove and set to boil.

    • 2

      Place 1 1/2 tablelspoon of dried soapwort into the boiling water. Reduce heat and place the lid on the pot. Simmer for about 20 minutes.

    • 3

      Remove the pot from the stove and allow the soapwort and water mixture to cool to room temperature, recommends the Daily Puppy.

    • 4

      Cover the mouth of a mason jar with a piece of cheesecloth or muslin. Slowly pour the cooled mixture into the cloth. Allow the liquid to drip through the cloth into the mason jar. Discard the soapwort remaining in the cloth.

    • 5

      Add 25 drops of lavender essential oil to the soapwort liquid. Screw the lid on the jar and shake thoroughly.

    • 6

      Work the liquid into the dog's coat thoroughly during a bath. Rinse the dog completely and towel dry.

    Tick Repellent

    • 7

      Add 2 tablespoons of almond oil to a mason jar. Almond oil contains sulfur, which acts as a natural tick repellents according to healthy living columnist Annie B. Bond of the Care 2 Healthy website.

    • 8

      Add 20 drops of rose geranium oil to the mason jar.

    • 9

      Place the lid on the jar and shake vigorously to combine both oils together.

    • 10

      Use an eyedropper to apply the tick repellent to a dog's collar. Apply 1 to 2 drops of the oil mixture to the underside of the collar.

    • 11

      Place the collar back on the dog and allow them to run free.