Natural home remedies that kill ticks is one of the most effective way to control ticks infestations. Although staying away from ticks and sanitization with chemical are also good ways to prevent its infestations, there are still natural method that work like magic in getting rid of ticks. The natural methods are even better health wise to kill ticks and fleas because there are minimal or no side effects. To ensure your dog’s safety, you should use methods that are not harmful to your dogs for tick and flea removal.
ALSO READ: How to control flea and ticks in our pets’ home
Ticks are parasitic arachnids that are part of the mite superorder Parasitiformes. Adult ticks are approximately 3 to 5 mm in length depending on age, sex, species, and “fullness”. Ticks are external parasites, living by feeding on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. They are very irritating parasites that can plague both you and your pets, even transmitting dangerous diseases like Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Flea is a small wingless jumping insect in order Siphonaptera which feeds on the blood of mammals and birds. They are flightless insects that live as external parasites of mammals and birds. Fleas live by ingesting the blood of their hosts. Adult fleas grow to about 3 millimetres (1⁄8 inch) long, are usually brown. It sometimes transmits diseases through its bite, including plague and myxomatosis.
Here are some natural home remedies that kill ticks
The best part is that these remedies are chemical-free so they won’t cause any harm to your dog’s health.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Salt
Apple cider vinegar is a simple and natural way to create an unfavorable environment for ticks and fleas. When applied, the solution changes the PH of your dog’s skin and makes the ticks and fleas ward off. To make this add take 4 cups of water, 6 cups of apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt and mix well. Once prepared, apply it to your dog’s collar.
Salt
Normal table salt can kill tick larvae and eggs, they do this by dehydrating them until they fall apart. You can kill ticks in your house by sprinkling salt over your floor and furniture, applying a layer at night and then vacuuming it in the morning. For carpeted floors, leave a thick layer of salt on it for at least a week before vacuuming
Boric acid (Borax)
Boric acid is available in major pet shops and supermarkets. They are the main ingredient in some flea powder products. Boric acid alone can only kill larvae that are actively feeding and not adult ticks because they only feed on blood. You can apply them on your carpets or rugs.
Detergent
Detergent can kill any form of ticks on your pet. During bathing, apply significant quantity of detergent on your pet: the amount should be more than the quantity used on regular daily bathing Allow your pet to soak in the soap for 25-30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and let your pet dry indoors. Keep in mind that this may irritate your pet’s skin and will not kill tick larvae or eggs.
Organic Soaps
Organic soaps such as peppermint soap, rose soap, etc. will make your dog fresh and tick-free after a wash and leave a good fragrance on its skin. When cleaning your dogs, consider using organic soaps instead of chemical-based shampoos to keep them safe from ticks and fleas without exposing them to potentially harmful chemicals. Since organic soap is manufactured entirely of natural components and contains no added chemicals, there is absolutely no chance that it will cause any kind of harm.
Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus oil acts as a tick killer as well as tick repellant. Spray a solution of 4 ounces of pure or distilled water with 20 drops of eucalyptus oil on yourself and your pet.
Essential Oils
Essential oils has taken the center stage in prevention and removal of ticks and fleas on dogs. Applying oils like rose geranium oil to your dog’s collar repels ticks and fleas. There is no chemicals in essential oil; the possibility of irritation caused due to using them is negligible. Accurate and correct dilution is needed before use, please take note. Some effective essential oils include tea tree oil, peppermint, eucalyptus, citronella, etc.
Essential oils not only smell great but are also natural tick repellents. Ticks despise the odor of lemon, orange, cedar, cinnamon, lavender, peppermint, and rose geranium and will avoid clinging to anything that smells like them. You can make a spray using any combination of these oils. Timely removal of fleas and ticks on dogs is essential to prevent any complications.
Multi-Purpose Neem Oil
Despite being used to treat many health problems, it is equally effective in dogs as it is in humans.
Multi-purpose neem oil for dogs help to prevent insects and pesticides in dogs. Neem oil doesn’t contain any toxins and it is also effective in relieving itching or chaffy dog skin.
Neem oil is also used as a natural tick repellent and removal agent. Place a few drops in the palm of your hand and massage on any exposed skin. It can be diluted and combined with almond oil or any mild carrier oil. Applying a drop or two of neem oil straight to the tick will cause it to detach itself fast from the skin. Neem-based anti-tick spray for dogs is also available in the market, you can make use of them if so wished.
Bleach
The tick should be placed in a little bleach container. Ticks can be instantaneously killed by the potent chemicals found in bleach.
Rubbing alcohol
Ticks can be killed with alcohol application. After the tick has been extracted, place it in an alcohol-filled cup and secure the lid to keep the tick from escaping.
Water and mow your lawn
Since ticks like warm, dry settings, cutting down on the amount of grass outside your home will help minimize the number of ticks in your yard that may choose to take up residence in you or your pets. Maintain a short grass cut and adequate hydration. Thick grasslands and forested areas are home to them because of their preference for ticks, which thrive in warm, dry climates.
Fresh Water Bath
A freshwater bath help your dog get rid of ticks and fleas. Water makes the ticks and fleas fall off as they are not able to hold tight to your dog’s skin. A dog that is always well dipped in water is allergy free and looks fresh all the time. Freshwater bath is the most convenient way for tick removal instead of using anti-tick sprays and other complicated methods.
Citrus Juice
Just a few drops of citrus juice and gently spray it around your dog, the result will be so amazing. Not only do they repel Ticks and fleas, they also prevent ticks and fleas infestations. You can use any brand of citrus fruits for this purpose. Always be cautious of the quantities you use directly on your dog’s skin because if it gets ingested it can cause skin irritation and other severe complications like liver damage.
Flea Comb
The combs are available in any pet shop. They are specially created to serve the purpose of tick and flea removal on dogs. The combs are safe for usage as they do not have any chemicals in them. This comb is also in used to remove any flea eggs present on your dog’s skin. It is very effective in ticks and flea eggs removal. The fleas present on your dog’s bed can be removed with a flea comb before you resort to any other methods of tick and flea removal.
Clean Home
Ensuring that your home is clean and hygienic enough will solve more than half of your problems. It also serve as a preventive measures. Imbibe the habit of washing the dog’s mattress, cleaning the furniture around, vacuuming rugs and carpets, etc. on regular basis to maintain cleanliness all over your house
Tick sprays for dogs and other methods are effective but these are reserved for infected dogs.
What are natural tick repellants?
As already highlighted above, some of these Natural home remedies that kill ticks do this by repelling the ticks and flea away from our pets especially dogs. But for clarity purposes, I am going to mention them below:
- Essential oils like lavender,
- Eucalyptus
- Cedarwood
- Essential oils
- Neem oil
Natural home remedies that kill ticks are there for you, always make sure that your furry friends are free from ticks and fleas as they can cause infections and health problems for your pets. Make sure you do a thorough research on any method you may wish to use and also seek and expert advice from your vet doctor in order to know the one that best suits your canine friend.
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