Essential oils for fleas in the house are very effective because they naturally have insect repellent and antiparasitic properties in their composition. They are commonly used against mosquitoes but also prove to be real allies against ticks as well.
Here is our selection of natural repellents and few DIY recipes to kill these formidable little mites and treat their bites.
By the way, those little mites can cause a lot of trouble to your dog. For example, a dog sneezing a lot repetitively may have been attacked by mites.
How to use essential oils for fleas in the house
Fleas and ticks, these little insects of a few millimeters can make our dog go through hell. Once satiated, fleas return to live in their environment and join their fellows in cushions, carpets, dog kennels, etc.
It is therefore as important to treat the environment against fleas as to treat the animal itself. Here are two recipes, one to treat the environment and one to force the extraction of these parasites off a dog’s body or objects and materials around the house.
Spray repellent for the environment
The mixture
To eradicate fleas and ticks, take an empty bottle and add:
- 100 drops of tea tree essential oil
- 100 drops of True Lavender essential oil
- 50 drops of Clove essential oil
- 50 drops of Lemongrass essential oil
- 25 mL of modified pharmaceutical alcohol
Shake well then label your bottle.
Your recipe is now ready to use!
Instructions
Introduce the mixture of essential oils with the modified alcohol in a vaporizer. Thoroughly spray the surfaces where fleas and ticks can be found such as cushions, carpets, litter, dog’s basket, etc.
Safety
This mixture is safe to use by adults, adolescents and children over 6 years old. It is not recommended for use by pregnant and lactating women and young children.
Special precautions
It is important to respect some caution essential oils can be irritating to the respiratory tract. Therefore, you should always check the condition of the people and animals living in the house. If in doubt, consult your doctor and veterinarian.
Recipe to get rid of fleas and ticks
Ingredients
To prepare this solution of essential oils for fleas in the house, take your empty bottle and add the following ingredients:
- 10 drops of tea tree essential oil
- 10 drops of True Lavender essential oil
- 10 drops of turpentine essential oil
Mix well and then label your bottle.
Instructions
Apply generously the mixture on a cotton ball and soak the tick on your dog’s hair or other surfaces for a few seconds. Wait a few minutes to extirpate the parasite with a tick tweezer.
Precautions
This solution is safe to use on domestic animals including dog and cats as well as as household surfaces. The essential oil mixture is cortisone like, therefore your skin should not come in contact with it to prevent allergic reactions.
If you treat surfaces around the house, make sure you subsequently clean them up so you can live around them without any problems.
You can perform an allergic test by applying a tiny quantity in the crook of your elbow before any use. However, it is not really necessary if you protect yourself appropriately by putting on gloves and a long sleeve shirt.
Essential oils for fleas in the house: off the shelf options
If you are not in the mood to make your own mixture, there are effective off the shelf options available in the market. Below you will find our top 7 product type choices.
1. Tea tree essential oil
The essential oil of tea-tree rich in terpinen-4-ol, monoterpene alcohol, alters the cell membranes of the parasites. One to two drops of tea-tree essential oil, diluted beforehand in a little vegetable oil, can be applied, as a prevention measure, on the exposed parts of your dog’s skin, both before and after any outdoor activity.
On the other hand, this essential oil solution should not be applied directly on the tick as it may regurgitate, which considerably increases the risk of transmission of bacteria.
2. True lavender essential oil
The essential oil of true lavender, in addition to having soothing properties for the skin in particular following insect bites, has an anti-parasitic action thanks to one of its principal element, linalool, a monoterpene alcohol with insect repellent properties.
This essential oil product also has an odor that keeps many insects away. In the event of a tick bite, its soothing properties help reduce irritation. One to two drops of true lavender essential oil, previously diluted in a little vegetable oil, can be placed on the uncovered skin to soothe the skin in case of a bite.
3. Clove essential oil
Clove essential oil has virtues similar to that of monoterpene alcohols because it contains eugenol, a molecule of the propenylphenols family, in its active composition. Formidable to fight against parasites and keep them away, this component offers a very relevant response in the event of a tick bite.
One to two drops of essential oil of clove can thus be applied on the skin abused by the parasite, provided it is diluted in a little vegetable oil.
4. Lemongrass essential oil
Lemongrass essential oil owes its benefits against ticks, to the citrals it contains, molecules of the family of monoterpene aldehydes. It intervenes in case of a bite to calm erythema migrans and stress related to the event and acts in case of infection.
Once again, you can dilute one to two drops of lemongrass essential oil in a bit of vegetable oil and apply it on the skin to protect against the inconvenience caused by ticks.
5. Ho wood essential oil
Ho wood essential oil is very gentle on the body. It is antibacterial, antiviral, antimycotic and immunostimulant. The essential oil is also recognized for its parasitifuge properties. Apply one to two drop (s) diluted in a little vegetable oil to affected areas. It works like magic!
6. Niaouli essential oil
Niaouli essential oil is an excellent skin protector with antiviral, antibacterial, anti-infective and immunostimulant properties. It increases the strength of the immune system thanks to its own molecules. Apply one to two drops mixed with other essential oils.
7. Java citronella essential oil
Out of all the essential oils for fleas in the house, this one is the ultimate solution. It is the benchmark in insect repellent.
It is used against mosquitoes, wasps, flies and to ward off ants. The lemony and pungent scent of Java Lemongrass essential oil disorients and confuses insects who prefer to wander away.
Citronella essential oil is a natural product containing terpenes, these hydrocarbons produced by plants, namely citronellal, citronellol and geraniol, which act as a repellent.
The above solutions are natural and effective insect repellant solutions to use in the house and for your dog. Use them with care and in the recommended concentration and your will be sure to keep your canine friend, yourself and your home, safe and healthy!