How to Get Rid of Ticks with Natural Remedies

Ticks are a serious problem for your dog and for you. There are various products for getting rid of them, but you can also opt for home remedies if you spot one on your dog.

These remedies have the advantage of being natural. Because of this, they aren't toxic to your dog and are environmentally friendly. Want to know the most effective natural remedies? Discover them below!

How do you know if a dog has ticks?

Figuring out whether your dog has ticks is very simple — you just need to check your pet's body regularly. At first, ticks are small and can go unnoticed if your dog has long fur. However, as they feed, their body swells into a rounder shape.

You can find them anywhere on the body, though many prefer the ears, armpits, between the toes, and the groin and perianal area. At the bite site, depending on the tick species, you may see a red, somewhat swollen patch with hair loss — the bite can become infected, mainly when the tick was removed incorrectly and part of its mouthparts stayed lodged in the skin.

What's more, blood loss from heavy infestations can cause anemia. Beyond these direct effects, the biggest clinical concern with tick infestations is their role as disease vectors, as is the case with Ehrlichia, commonly known as "tick disease."

How to get rid of ticks on a dog?

There are different medications for getting rid of ticks on dogs. You'll easily find spot-on treatments, collars, shampoos, and anti-parasite sprays. Also, in dogs with a very severe tick problem, medical care may be needed to manage the symptoms and save the dog's life.

Never ignore a tick infestation. If the problem gets out of hand, it could kill your dog. Besides traditional products, there are homemade methods against ticks in dogs, as well as ways to prevent them from coming back.

Before applying them, you should remove as many ticks as you can with tweezers and kill them — remember to remove the whole tick, including the mouthparts.

To fully remove the mouthparts without further damaging your pet's skin, you need to always twist counterclockwise when removing the parasite.

It's best to use these natural remedies alongside commercial products, always under your vet's supervision.

Home remedies for getting rid of ticks on dogs

Apply one of these natural methods against ticks, and you'll keep your dog protected:

Chamomile

Chamomile is very good for your dog. They can drink it to calm diarrhea and vomiting, and it also helps relax them in stressful situations.

Against ticks, chamomile is effective because of the smell it gives off. Prepare an infusion using two commercial chamomile tea bags, or a handful of natural dried leaves. Once the water has a strong scent, let it cool and bathe your dog with the infusion. To make it stronger, you can add a slice of lemon to the chamomile while brewing the tea.

Besides keeping ticks away from your dog, chamomile will soothe irritated skin.

Vinegar

Vinegar has many uses around the house. Among them, it's useful as a tick repellent. Depending on your dog's size, mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water. Then rub it into their coat with a cloth, avoiding the eyes, ears, and nose.

Your dog might show some displeasure at first because of the smell, but it'll pass after a little while.

Eucalyptus

A eucalyptus infusion bath is just as effective as chamomile. Prepare the water by brewing commercial tea or natural eucalyptus leaves. Let the solution cool and bathe your dog with it, or wipe it over their coat with a soft cloth.

Neem oil

Neem oil is an effective repellent against ticks and fleas. Because of this, it will help keep them away from your dog. In a container of water, mix 5 drops of neem oil with 5 drops of citronella oil.

Then use the mixture to spray your dog's coat. The scent scares off ticks but won't bother the rest of the family.

Citrus

Citrus fruits are among the most effective natural remedies for removing ticks. Choose a few slices of lemon or orange and place them in a container of water. Boil the solution for an hour, making sure the water doesn't evaporate completely.

Then remove the fruit slices, let the water cool, and use a spray bottle to mist your dog with it. Avoid sensitive areas like the eyes, nose, and muzzle.

Citrus works as a tick repellent — you can use this same remedy to spray your dog's belongings and around the house.

Essential oils

Essential oils are also an effective tick repellent. In a spray bottle with two liters of water, add five drops each of peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, lavender, and almond oil. Shake well and spray onto your dog's coat.

You can also make your own natural flea and tick repellent collar, or homemade spot-on treatments:

• Homemade preventives and spot-on treatments for dogs

Almond oil and vitamin E

This other remedy is recommended if ticks are found very close to the eye and ear area. It's very important to use natural products to avoid irritation. Thoroughly mix 20 ml of almond oil with one vitamin E capsule. Dampen a sterile gauze pad and gently wipe it over your pet's eyes and outer ear.

Since ticks often settle in the inner ear, it's not a good idea to handle that area, let alone apply drops, which could cause further complications such as ear infections.

Natural remedies for getting rid of ticks at home

Besides applying natural repellents to your dog, it's essential to treat the whole house too. To do this, follow these steps:

• Vacuum every area of the house. Pay special attention to corners, behind furniture, curtains, sofas, and cushions. Once done, seal the vacuum bag and throw it in the trash.
• All fabric items, like pillowcases, pillows, and sheets, should be treated with heat. For rugs, curtains, and beds, use a steam cleaner. Put everything else in the washing machine with two hot-water cycles (above 40°C/104°F).
• Wash all your pet's belongings with hot water and lemon.
• Use solutions of lemon, mint, and spearmint boiled in water to clean floors, countertops, and spray windows.
• Apply remedies made with water and essential oils onto rugs and carpets.
• Keep up strict cleaning of the home for several weeks.

An unexpected spot where they hide, especially in humid, warm climates, is under outlet/socket covers. Keep this in mind during your regular checks.

These home remedies for getting rid of ticks on dogs and around the house are effective if you use several at once. If the infestation gets out of control and your dog doesn't improve, don't hesitate to see a vet and a pest control professional.

How to get rid of ticks in the yard and garden?

During these summer months, ticks also lay their eggs in the yard and garden. They tend to build up on plants, in shady, damp spots, as well as in wood and fiber debris.

Besides industrial insecticides, here are some tools so you can fight these infestations with organic, natural remedies without harming the environment or yourself. Remember to clear away leaves, weeds, and debris — anywhere these parasites could hide.

1. Baking soda: Dissolve 2 tablespoons of baking soda in 3 liters of water and add rosemary and mint or geranium leaves, let it sit for 2 hours, and then you can use this solution to clean your patio tiles.
2. Apple cider vinegar: a solution of 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 4 liters of water, with a few lavender leaves added, is also ideal for cleaning your patio tiles. Choose a time when the sun isn't hitting directly, since it could damage the tiles when it reacts with the vinegar.

Both vinegar and baking soda have the property of changing the pH of the surfaces they're applied to. This pH change, combined with aromatic plants, makes an excellent repellent against these and other parasites lurking around your patio.

If your plot of land is too big to spray, you can plant some aromatic species like rosemary, spearmint, garlic, and lavender itself.