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How to Repel Fleas with Essential Oils?

Brown, glass essential oil bottle with trees blurred in the background

There are some natural flea repellents, but it’s usually better to hire a pest control professional for a serious infestation. For normal situations, natural remedies, like essential oils, can be used to get rid of fleas from the house. Essential oil-based flea and tick treatments successfully repel hazardous organisms without exposing your pet or family to harsh chemicals. Keep reading to know how you can repel fleas with essential oils.

Do Essential Oils Repel Fleas?

When you send your dog to the doctor for flea management, they will most likely prescribe a medicated topical treatment. In some cases, a verbal medicine is also advised. Unfortunately, several of these drugs have resulted in adverse neurological effects on dogs. Long-term or inappropriate usage of these products might cause skin irritation, vomiting, or respiratory issues. Also, fleas can acquire tolerance to these treatments after lengthy usage periods.

Essential oils are all-natural and these sprays can be manufactured at home. Hence, you know exactly what goes into them, making them a terrific alternative to oral and topical drugs. When used in the correct doses and applications, they are harmless for pets. They can even give additional advantages, such as antibacterial characteristics, to aid in healing flea bites and soothing itchy, irritated skin.

Essential oils can assist your dog not only to fight fleas but also to gain relief from itching and scratching caused by flea bites. They can also help your pet recover faster from flea bites by speeding up the healing process. These natural antiseptics will keep your pet flea-free and ease the discomfort caused by flea bites.

Aromatherapy may have the same calming effect on dogs and cats as on humans. According to studies, the aroma of some oils can help relax and soothe pets that are stressed or anxious.

What are some other essential oils you can use for fleas on dogs? Check out our post “9 Essential Oils for Fleas on Dogs” to learn more.

How Do You Make Flea Spray with Essential Oils?

Essential oils in a wooden box with 2 small bottles and a glass spray bottle in front of the box

A range of essential oils can be used to make a flea spray. Eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, rosewood, cedar, citrus, and lemongrass are the most commonly utilized oils. Cinnamon and rose geranium are two more essential oils that can repel fleas and other pests. A couple of ways to make a flea spray with essential oils are discussed below.

Essential Oil and Water – Add six or seven drops of an essential oil in a cup of water. Shake it well to make a natural flea repellent and pour it into a spray bottle. Apply the solution to your dog’s coat every other day to keep the fleas away. You can choose any essential oil that is effective against fleas, like rosemary, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, and citronella oil .

Vinegar and Essential Oil – Combine ¼ cup vinegar and ¾ cup distilled water in a mixing bowl. If you don’t have filtered water, you can boil and chill tap water. Stir in 10 drops of essential oil to the vinegar and water combination. Fill a spray container halfway with the mixture and use it to eliminate fleas.

You can also use a commercial spray for countering fleas. Just make sure that it’s particularly labelled for the sort of animal you’re putting it on when using essential oils. Spray your pet’s coat thoroughly, starting at the tail and working your way up to the head to ensure penetration through the skin. The legs and feet, as well as the region under the seat, should also be examined. Allow the dog’s fur to air dry after avoiding contact with the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Are there essential oils you can use to repel fleas on humans? Check out our post “Essential oils for fleas on humans” to learn more.

What Essential Oils Repel Fleas?

6 clear glass bottles each with a piece of a plant in them

Natural flea remedies, such as essential oils, are often less expensive, mainly because fleas do not develop an immunity to them as they do to poisons. It’s critical to pick the proper essential oil for the right purpose, whether you’re using essential oils for aromatherapy, a DIY home medicine, or flea repellent.

To be more explicit, not all oils that repel fleas also kill them, and vice versa. Lemongrass essential oil, basil essential oil, and thyme essential oil can all be diluted and sprayed on a dog’s skin to act as a repellent, but they should not be administered directly to the skin. Peppermint oil can also be used sparingly, but only for large breeds; use it with caution because many dogs are allergic to the aroma. The following are some of the most popular essential oils to repel fleas.

Lavender Oil

Clear glass bottle filled with liquid surrounded with lavender resting on burlap

Lavender oil is used by people worldwide to treat skin issues, including acne, wrinkles, and pimples. This oil also aids in the reduction of tension and anxiety in both people and animals, acting as a soothing and relaxing agent. Dilute lavender oil with a carrier oil and apply it to the back of your pet’s neck or the base of their tail to treat fleas.

Rosemary Oil

brown glass bottle with an eyedropper resting on a pile of rosemary sprigs on a piece of wood

Rosemary oil is one of the most effective essential oils for dog fleas. It smells lovely, and you may use it directly or mix a few drops into your dog’s shampoo or conditioner, as described above. Just make sure you thoroughly rinse it out and that your dog doesn’t swallow the bathwater. Diluted rosemary essential oil can be used in a dog’s bath to give long-acting flea repellant advantages.

Lemongrass Oil

Stalks of lemon grass next to a small bottle with a cork filled with golden liquid

Lemongrass essential oil is a mighty flea and insect repellent that is frequently used to ward off mosquitos. Always dilute the oil first before applying it to a hard-to-reach region. It is an insecticidal oil with a lot of punch.

Peppermint Oil

Small essential oils bottle surrounded by sprigs of peppermint

Peppermint is one of the most effective essential oils for repelling fleas. To use peppermint oil for fleas, dilute it with a carrier oil and apply it to your pet’s fur at the back of their neck or the base of their tail. While peppermint oil isn’t guaranteed to kill fleas and ticks, it does work as a repellent.

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