This DIY Natural Pest Control Spray Needs Only Five Ingredients!
Dr. Jones from Veterinary Secrets has a natural flea and tick spray recipe I love. You can make it at home with five key ingredients:
- Witch hazel extract. It’s a great, natural anti-inflammatory and astringent that soothes skin from bug bites, hot spots, and other irritations. Note: Be sure to use the non-alcoholic version, so it won’t sting.
- Liquid coconut oil. Studies show its significant pest-repellent benefits. It’s vital to use liquid coconut oil (not the solid form) so it will stay mixed and will spray. And, it’s perfectly safe if your pets decide to lick it, potentially offering additional health benefits. (Note: too much coconut oil can lead to diarrhea, so make sure your pet isn’t snacking on it!)
- Neem oil. From the neem tree in Asia, neem is known for its impressive anti-insecticidal properties. When diluted properly, it’s safe and effective for dogs, but we’re still not sure about cats.
- Cedarwood essential oil. It’s been shown to repel fleas and ticks when diluted to safe concentrations.
- Lavender essential oil is prized for its antibacterial properties, which help heal infected skin, and its ability to reduce skin inflammation, thanks to its antihistamine-like qualities.
How To Prepare The Spray:
½ cup witch hazel
¼ cup (or 4 TB) liquid coconut oil
¼ cup liquid neem oil
1/4 cup cedarwood oil
1/4 cup lavender oil
Add ¼ cup of neem oil and 1/4 cup of coconut oil to ½ cup of non-alcohol witch hazel. Add ten drops of each of the cedarwood and lavender essential oils. Mix everything thoroughly and transfer to a spray bottle.
Spray this on your pets, avoiding sensitive areas like their eyes and mouth. Use a flea comb, brush to distribute it throughout your pet’s fur. For dogs, you can apply it up to three times a week, and for cats, once a week is sufficient. Be cautious with kitties, as we’re unsure how they react to essential oils.
Store the mixture in a warm space to prevent the oils from solidifying. This mixture is best used along with a light dusting of diatomaceous earth weekly, but follow instructions carefully: Diatomaceous earth can cause respiratory issues.
Are you interested in learning more about essential oils and pest control for your pets? Read this blog post: Use Essential Oils and Adaptogens as Natural Pest Repellant For Pets.
