DIY Natural Flea & Tick Spray for Dogs

If you've spent any amount of time outdoors this spring, you've probably noticed the ticks seem extra motivated this year. Eek!

Around our house, we've already been finding them on the dogs, on the kids, and occasionally crawling on us after a walk through the pasture. As much as I love spending time outside, I don't love bringing unwanted hitchhikers home.

The absolute worst thing is waking up in the middle of the night with the feeling of something crawling on my neck and reaching up to feel it literally crawling on my neck. Blech!

My go-to is to have a few simple tools on hand to help support our outdoor adventures, including this easy DIY flea and tick spray.

Is it a magic force field? No.

But it's a simple, natural option that can be used on pets before walks, hikes, camping trips, or afternoons spent working around the farm.

This simple recipe gives me the peace of mind I need to enjoy the great outdoors and not worry so much about my children running through the grass. I hope it does the same for you too.

Because I know you might be wondering, I’ll also include the natural insect repellant we use on our two-legged family.

Don’t worry mama, I’ve got you covered!

Why I Like This Recipe

As a veterinary technician, I see a whole slew of flea and tick products on the market. While conventional treatments are highly effective, many contain ingredients that some families, including my own, prefer to minimize where possible. I'm always looking for ways to help my pets and family live naturally, and finding plant-based alternatives gives me peace of mind.

This homemade spray uses a combination of essential oils that actually smell quite lovely together. They are all tried-and-true ingredients traditionally used to help discourage insects, and the recipe is simple enough to whip up at home in just a few minutes.

DIY Natural Flea & Tick Spray Recipe

You'll Need:

• 1 cup distilled water

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional)

• 5 drops lavender essential oil

• 5 drops cedarwood essential oil

• 3 drops lemongrass essential oil

• 3 drops geranium essential oil

• Amber glass spray bottle

Directions

1. Add water and apple cider vinegar to your spray bottle.

2. Add the essential oils.

3. Shake well before each use.

4. Lightly mist your dog's coat before heading outdoors.

For around the eyes, nose, mouth, and other sensitive areas, I will spray it on my hand first and then wipe those areas.

You can also lightly spray dog bedding* and outdoor areas* where your dog spends time. *I highly recommend this.

Why These Oils?

Cedarwood

Cedarwood has a long history of use around homes and animals as a natural way to discourage unwanted pests.

Lavender

Lavender helps create a pleasant scent while supporting healthy skin. Ticks are not a fan.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass is commonly used in many natural insect-repelling products because insects tend to dislike its strong citrus aroma.

Geranium

Geranium is another favorite in natural outdoor blends and complements the other oils well. Also not a fan favorite for ticks.

A Quick Note About Oil Quality

Quality matters when it comes to your family and pets. Many oils on the market are diluted or packed with synthetic fragrances, but not all essential oils are created equal.

I have trusted this specific brand since 2007 with zero pet sensitivities. Having visited their farms myself, I've seen the incredible care that goes into producing their top-of-the-line oils. I love that they even avoid chemical solvents when cleaning their distillers.

👉 Click here to shop the exact oils used in this recipe. (there are also some items for the two legged family that I’ll share more about below)

Additional Tick Prevention Tips

This spray is just one piece of the puzzle.

When we come inside after spending time outdoors, we also:

• Check ourselves and the kids for ticks

• Brush dogs regularly

• Keep grass and weeds trimmed around play areas

• Wash outdoor clothing after heavy exposure

• Support overall wellness through good nutrition and hydration

A layered approach tends to work better than relying on any one product alone.

How We Help Keep Ticks Off Our Family

In case you’re reading along and wondering how to keep ticks off your two-legged children too, here are a few of our go-to tips for staying one step ahead of them:

1. Create an External Shield
Before heading outside, we spray exposed skin and clothing with a plant-based insect repellent. We use a natural, DEET-free insect repellant that is made with essential oils, and formulated to help repel ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas.

2. Support From the Inside Out
Many homesteaders and natural wellness enthusiasts include sulfur-rich foods and supplements as part of their daily routine. Because sulfur is released through the skin, it is widely believed to make us less appealing to biting insects.

Sulfurzyme® is our favorite daily sulfur supplement. We love the powder form because it easily mixes into drinks and actually tastes good, while also supporting healthy detoxification and skin health.

Adding garlic to your favorite dinner dishes is another fantastic, natural way to boost your dietary sulfur.

3. Use Smart Barrier Protection
Ticks don't fly or jump, they usually crawl up from grass and brush. Wearing light-colored clothing, tucking pants into socks when you're in high-risk areas, and doing a quick tick check when you come indoors can go a long way toward preventing unwanted hitchhikers.

A little prevention is much easier than dealing with a tick bite later.

👉 If you'd like to grab the same Insect Repellent and Sulfurzyme we use, you'll find them at the link below along with all the oils for the DIY Pet Spray. I've linked the exact products to make it easy for you. 🌿🕷️🐾

ORDER HERE

Before Your Next Adventure…

The goal isn't to live in fear of every tick. If that was the case, I know I would never leave the house. Of all the creeping crawling things out there, they gross me out the most. Ick!

The goal is to enjoy the outdoors while taking simple, practical steps to support our families and animals.

Whether you're headed to the pasture, the campground, the hiking trail, or simply the backyard, this DIY spray is an easy addition to your outdoor routine.

If you'd like the exact items used in this recipe or the other products mentioned, you can find them here:

👉 ORDER YOUR GOODIES HERE

Here’s to safe, worry-free outdoor adventures with your 4 legged and 2 legged friends! 🌿✨

-Laura