All-Natural Flea & Tick Prevention for Dogs

 I got my dog Daisy about 5 years ago when my daughter left for the Army. Daisy was rescued by my daughter from an abusive home, and at the time I was only supposed to be dog-sitting for a few days until her boyfriend could pick Daisy up. Circumstances changed, and now, 5 years later, I have this amazing dog named Daisy who I can't imagine living without.

Ever since I brought Daisy home, one of my primary goals has been to keep her diet as organic, chemical free, and healthy as possible. Of all dog breeds, pit bull breeds in particular have extremely sensitive skin and are prone to allergies. 

Yes, this has led to some challenges, and is considerably more expensive than if I didn't have these concerns. I have learned in my research and in my years of dog ownership that I am far from the only dog owner who wants to give my furry companion a better quality of life.

One of the primary keys to this is eliminating as many chemicals from your dog's environment as possible. Though this may seem a daunting task, especially since we often turn to chemicals to rid our pets and their environments of pests such as fleas and ticks, it can be done.

Following, I will share some of the information I've found to help you eliminate fleas and ticks from your home and your furry bestie without chemicals.

The Basics on Fleas & Ticks

Fleas thrive in warm, humid weather, which is why you see them so much more frequently in the summer months. A single flea can become 1,000 fleas in your home in just 21 days. It can take anywhere from 2 weeks to several months for a flea to get from the egg stage to the final adult stage, depending on the conditions. The lifespan of an adult flea can be up to a year, but won't exceed 2 weeks without a living host.

Ticks love warm weather. The summer and fall are peak tick season in the United States. Ticks can spread multiple diseases to both pets and humans with just one bite.

Using a natural method of prevention can help reduce the population of both fleas and ticks in your home and yard without causing a negative impact on the environment.

Treat Your Yard

The first and foremost flea and tick prevention tool is treating the space outside your home. There are a number of non-toxic products that use organic and "green" ingredients that can be used in your yard to prevent pests from breeding near your home. 

Create A Barrier

A natural barrier can be created simply by removing leaf litter and plantings within 6-18 inches of your house.

Mow Your Lawn

Fleas and ticks prefer to breed in tall grass, so regular mowing is a necessity. Don't go too short, however, because you'll repel their natural enemies - ants and spiders.

Cedar Mulch

Fleas hate cedar, so using cedar mulch in your gardens and around your home increases your natural barrier.

Limbs & Shrubs

Fleas and ticks prefer damp, dark areas. It helps to remove dead limbs and prune thick shrubs to allow sunlight to permeate your entire yard.

Inside Your Home

Once fleas, ticks (and other pests for that matter) get inside your home, it can be difficult to get rid of them. Try the following natural home treatments:

DIY Traps

Place a wide, shallow pan filled with soapy water on the floor, in an area you find to be highly populated with fleas. Set up a lamp to shine directly over the water. The fleas will be drawn toward the heat of the lamp and jump into the light. They will land in the soapy water where the soap will prevent them from jumping out, causing them to die.

Diatomaceous Earth

Food grade diatomaceous earth can be used in your home and your pet's environment to quickly kill fleas. It is sharp and will cut holes in the fleas' bodies. It is also extremely absorbent and will dehydrate the fleas, causing them to die.

When diatomaceous earth is used inside your home and around windows, doors, baseboards, dog beds, carpets, and so on, you should vacuum the treated areas after a few hours to remove the dead fleas. You should then reapply to kill the remaining fleas.

While diatomaceous earth is safe for use around your pets, be careful when sprinkling it around their environment so that your pet doesn't inhale or ingest it. Do not apply it directly to you pet's coat, as it can cause their skin to become dry and irritated.

DIY Shampoos & Sprays 

I have been using all-natural products at every opportunity for Daisy since she came into my life, and as a result, we have not only never had a flea problem, we have also never had to deal with any of the skin irritation issues that I've heard are so common with her breed. Here are a couple of non-toxic flea washes for your fur baby:

Vinegar

As you'll find with this blog, vinegar is a solid go-to for natural products. Combine one quart of water, one cup of white or apple cider vinegar, and one cup of baby shampoo. Use this mixture to bathe your dog once or twice a month. Vinegar kills fleas and ticks on contact, and helps prevent future infestations.

As a side note, my own preference is apple cider vinegar. In addition to deterring fleas, it's also excellent for your dog's skin and coat. I also add a capful a day to her food, as it is a natural worm deterrent rather than using chemical treatments.

Lemon Wash Deterrent

Lemon juice repels fleas and can be used in several ways to keep fleas off your pet. For this mixture you'll need 4 slices of fresh lemon, 1 tablespoon of salt, and 6 cups of water. 

Heat the water to boiling, then add the salt and lemon. Boil for two minutes, then remove from the heat and let steep for 24 hours. Apply to your dog's fur after shampooing and washing them, and can also be used daily.

In a future story, we'll look at uses of essential oils for flea and tick treatments for your pet. If you have any other suggestions for natural treatments for fleas and ticks for your pets, share them in the comments!