5 Natural Ways To Fight Ticks

Ticks are pesky – both for pets and humans alike. And it’s not just because their bites are itchy. Did you know that they can make you sick? Ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and spotted fever. In dogs, they can lead to anemia, blood loss, tick paralysis, and skin irritation.

They are visible to the naked eye so you shouldn’t have any problems spotting them. One of the easiest ways to get rid of these is by plucking them out with tweezers – that, or you can also find help with the use of these natural solutions:

Coconut Oil. Coconut oil contains the agent lauric acid that repels ticks and fleas. Aside from warding off the pesky pests, this remedy is also good for your pet’s skin and coat. Plus, it’s non-toxic, you no longer need to worry about your furry pal ingesting some harmful chemicals. To get rid of ticks, massage coconut on pet’s coat once a week or mix this with warm water in a bottle and spray the solution on its coat daily.

Apple Cider Vinegar. Ticks hate the smell of apple cider vinegar. In fact, when applied on pet’s skin, the pests will back out in order to get away from it. There are several ways to use ACV as a tick solution. You can apply this directly on the ticks, which will make it easier for you to pull them out with tweezers. Mix this with water and you can use this as a rinse its bath. A tablespoon of ACV mixed with one quart of drinking water also works well in getting rid of them.

“A tablespoon of ACV mixed with one quart of drinking water also works well in getting rid of them.”

Garlic. Health professionals have been raving about the different health benefits of garlic and it seems that our four-legged pals are not exempt. Studies now show that garlic can help pets win in the fight against tick infestation. Of course, like most remedies, dosage is key. Dogs can take anywhere from one to five cloves of garlic depending on their weight. Aside from tick prevention, adding garlic to your dog’s diet can help protect it against one of the most dreaded diseases to date – cancer.

Lemon. It’s the zesty way to fight ticks! Another safe way to get rid of ticks is with the use of lemons. Add freshly squeezed lemons to a quart of water and then spray the solution to your pet’s coat. You can also use the solution on furniture and carpet.

Essential Oils. Several studies published on PubMed will tell you that essential oils prevent tick, flea and lice infestations. Choices are varied – some of these include the likes of citronella, lavender, mint, rosemary, and geranium oils.  Take note that some essential oils can be toxic to pets so make sure to consult with your veterinarian or do your research before using this remedy.

Show your dog how much you care in any way you can. Small things like getting rid of the ticks will be well-received as love.

If you enjoyed this post, you should read How To Handle A Vet Visit here.

Have you ever found a tick on your pup? How did you handle it? Share below!