Fleas, Ticks & Essential Oils + DIY Spray for Dogs

Now that summer is well underway, we’re all spending more time outside with our furry friends. There’s nothing we want more than to protect them from ticks, fleas and other outdoor annoyances. Fleas can be miserable for your pet, not to mention hard to get rid of. And ticks pose additional risks as they can carry diseases like Lyme. Thankfully essential oils can be an amazing and natural way to help keep your dogs and even yourself free from annoying pests. We’ve put together a DIY Flea & Tick Spray that uses only Pup & Pony approved oils. It combines Bergamot, May Chang, Spearmint, Thyme and Palmarosa to help protect your precious pets while they enjoy the great outdoors.

If you choose to make this recipe with Everclear, make sure you use at least 151 proof, although 190 is preferred. If you instead opt to use vodka or witch hazel, make sure to add 1 tsp of Polysorbate 20 as an emulsifier. You’d also need to add a preservative if not used within a week.

Flea & Tick Spray for Dogs

What you’ll need:

4 oz bottle
Everclear or Vodka/Witch Hazel + 1 tsp of Polysorbate 20
7 drops Bergamot
3 drops May Chang
3 drops Spearmint
3 drops Thyme Linalool
4 drops Palmarosa

What you’ll do:

Add ingredients to an empty 4 oz bottle. We recommend a preservative be used if the witch hazel does not already contain one. If alcohol is used, a preservative will not be necessary. Shake well before use. Spray directly on to your pet’s coat. Use as needed before outside activities.

Ylang Ylang Complete has calming and relaxing properties

But what about humans?

You can absolutely use the flea and tick spray for humans! Keep in mind though, there are a few essential oils in this recipe that are not KidSafe, so only use this spray on adults. Plus, there are a few other oils that are also useful for helping to repel ticks. Geranium, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Cedarwood Atlas, and Peppermint are all great choices for helping protect you and your fur babies from outdoor annoyances.

dog on a pier scratching itself

Essential Oils and Other Bugs

Fleas and ticks aren’t the only annoying pests found in the great outdoors. Plant Therapy has two amazing synergies you can use to create your very own DIY Non-toxic Natural Pest Spray: Nature Shield and KidSafe Shield Me.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/prev/natural-repellents.html

If you’re looking for more amazing ways to use essential oils in your life, be sure to check out our Safe Essential Oil Recipes (SEOR) Facebook Group!