Outdoor Organic Flea & Tick Prevention

Medications for flea and tick prevention are readily available for pets, but these products can be costly and contain harmful ingredients. These ingredients are not only damaging to fleas and ticks, but also harmful to our pets. Instead, consider making homemade organic flea and tick repellent. This can be easily made with inexpensive ingredients that are completely safe for your pet but work as effectively as expensive flea and tick medications.

  1. Apple Cider Vinegar

    • When bathing your dog, rinse the fur with a light layer of apple cider vinegar. This will repel fleas and ticks, as neither like the smell or taste of the apple cider vinegar. The vinegar will quickly absorb into the dog's fur, so although there might be a light vinegar odor, it will not be a powerful, consuming vinegar odor. Repeat every few days to keep fleas and ticks at bay.

    Lemon Spray

    • Ticks and fleas are repelled by the scent of lemon, making it the perfect solution to keep dogs protected from these pests. Bring four cups of water to a boil in a medium pot. Cut six fresh lemons in half, and add the pieces to the boiling water. Simmer on low heat for one to two hours, then pour the juice into a spray bottle. Spray directly onto the dog's fur, avoiding the face, which could cause irritation. This will not only repel fleas and ticks, but it will also keep your pet smelling fresh. Repeat every one to two days, as the solution will stay fresh for up to a week in the refrigerator.

    Essential Oils

    • Fleas and ticks are also repelled by the smells of certain essential oils. Pour one cup of water into a spray bottle, then add five drops of peppermint oil, five drops of lemongrass, five drops of lavender, five drops of citronella and five drops of geranium. Stir the ingredients together, and spray onto your pet every two to three days to keep the pet smelling fresh and free of ticks and fleas. The peppermint and geranium oils also work to repel mosquitoes.