22 Home Remedies for Ticks

What are Ticks?

Ticks are the tiny parasites, which look like a spider. They are a part of the arachnid family. They are actually arthropods, which are neither spiders nor insects. They attach themselves to the body of human or animal and sucks blood. They are usually present in fur of various animals, especially dogs and cats. These tiny parasites are mostly active during warm weather, like summers or spring.

Who are attacked with ticks?

People, who work in zoos, or maintain farm, or travel to a location with heavily wooded areas or tropical forests, are attacked with ticks. Animals, like cats and dogs, can also be attacked with ticks. Most ticks are not harmful and do not cause any diseases.

Symptoms

Tick bite is usually painless. It remains painless even after the bite. But, several problems arise when tick falls off after feeding blood. The signs and symptoms are:

Home Remedies for Ticks

It becomes very upsetting, when our lovable pets are attacked with ticks and fleas. Various lotions and creams are available in the market to get rid of ticks. But, they might not be as effective as home remedies.

1. Aromatherapy Oil

Aromatherapy oils, like basil, lemon, cinnamon, cedar, lavender, and pennyroyal are the natural repellent for ticks. For removing ticks, prepare a mixture of any three oils. Mix one drop each of the three oils chosen and pure almond oil. Stir it well, and soak a cloth in it. Wrap this cloth on your pet. This remedy also helps in removing ticks from human skin. Just apply it on the skin.

2. Citrus

Citrus is abundantly found in oranges and lemon. All you need to do is to prepare natural repellent oil from these citrus fruits. Take out peels of lemon or orange and boil them. Let it cool down naturally. Apply it on the affected area of pets.

Note- This remedy is not suitable for cats as they do not like citrus fragrances.

You can also add juice of lemon or orange in a cup of water. Allow it to boil for some time. In the solution, add 5-15 drops of lemongrass oil. Shake it well and let it cool down. Apply it gently on the affected area.

3. Rose Geranium Essential Oil

One of the most popular tick repellents is rose geranium essential oil. Add 20 drops of rose geranium essential oil in three tablespoons of almond oil. Mix it well and apply a few drops on your pet’s fur, especially around the collar.

Note- This remedy should be used only on dogs.

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4. Combs

Combs are the cheapest and easiest remedy against ticks. Whenever you return from a morning walk, do not forget to comb your pet. Combing once in a day helps in removing ticks, crawling on pet’s fur. Combs will surely sweep off ticks and prevent irritation.

5. Neem Oil

Neem oil is the most common oil, preferred for removing ticks from pet. The anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties of neem oil are meant to fight against harmful ticks. All you are required to do is to pour a few drops of neem oil on your palm and gently rub it on the affected region.

Dogs with sensitive skin can also be treated with neem oil by diluting it. For diluting, you have to mix neem oil with any light carrier oil, like jojoba or almond oil. Pour a little quantity of mixed oil on palm and rub it gently on pet, covering the affected area.

You can also prepare a spray with the help of organic neem oil. You have to mix ½ ounce of organic neem oil with ½ or ¼ ounce of mild detergent or soap. Stir it well and add this solution to two cups of water. If you want a stronger solution, mix 2 ml soap with two cups of water. Then, add 5 ml neem oil to it. Fill it in a spray bottle and use it immediately.

Neem oil is also helpful in removing ticks from human. Just apply a few drops of neem oil gently on the skin, especially covering the affected area.

Note- Use the spray immediately as it can last maximum for 8 hours. Neem oil is not suitable for cats.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar or ACV can be a beneficial remedy for removing ticks. You just have to prepare a spray with the help of apple cider vinegar. Pour 8 ounce of apple cider vinegar in a bowl. Add 4 ounce of warm water in it. Stir it well adding half teaspoon each of salt and baking soda. Fill the solution in a spray bottle and shake it well before use.

You can also use apple cider vinegar with lavender oil for removing ticks. Mix 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar in one cup of water. Add 15 drops of lavender oil in it. Mix it well and apply it on your pet’s fur.

It can also be used with neem oil. Take 500 ml water and add 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to it. Stir the mixture well adding two tablespoons of neem oil. Apply this solution on dogs to kill ticks. You can also spray this mixture on curtains, walls, and carpets.

7. Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a natural tick repellent. Instead of using alcohol on pet, use witch hazel. Just mix witch hazel and lemon eucalyptus oil in 10:1 ratio, stir the solution well and fill it in a spray bottle. Spray it on your pet to kill ticks.

You can also prepare a spray by pouring 8 ounce of distilled water in a bottle. Add half teaspoon of vegetable glycerin and 30-40 drops of essential oil in it. Add enough witch hazel to fill the bottle. Shake it well and use to kill ticks and fleas or bugs, present in bed, curtains, mattress, etc.

8. Lemon Juice

The citrus acid, present in lemon, helps in removing ticks naturally. You just have to use a fresh lemon against ticks. Squeeze out some fresh lemon juice directly on ticks or affected area of pet.

You can also prepare a spray with ingredients, like lemon juice, peppermint oil, and citrus oil. Mix all the substances equally and spray it on required places.

You can also prepare a disinfectant solution for bathing your pet, with the help of lemon juice. Squeeze out the juice of lemon in a cup of water. Also add peels and pulp in the water. Put it on simmer for a few hours. Pour this solution in regular bath water.

You can slice a lemon and put it in a bowl of boiling water. Leave it overnight. Dip a sponge in the solution and apply it on troubling area of your pet.

9. Cedar Oil Spray

To get rid of ticks, use a cedar oil spray. Cedar oil acts as a repellent to harmful ticks. Use cedar oil spray, once in a day. Apply it directly on pet’s face, collar, and tummy area. This will surely drag out ticks from pet’s fur.

10. Vegetable Oil

Vegetable oils are rich in sulphur, which acts as a natural repellent for ticks. You have to mix two teaspoons of vegetable oil with 10 drops of peppermint essential oil. Add one teaspoon of dish washing liquid. Stir the mixture well. Apply it on pet’s body. Do not apply near eyes, ears, or mouth. For best results, practise this method once a week.

11. Vaseline

It is very simple to use Vaseline for removing ticks. Just take some Vaseline in your palm and rub it gently on pet’s fur, covering the infected area. Vaseline suffocates the ticks, and they will get die. After applying Vaseline, comb pet’s fur. This method will remove ticks easily.

12. Garlic

Garlic is a strong repellent for ticks. Garlic should be consumed in sufficient amount. When it comes to dogs, they cannot intake raw garlic. Garlic is more toxic than onions and can cause anaemia or damage red blood cells in dogs. Dogs should be served with food and soups, containing garlic.

You can also use garlic powder in place of raw garlic. Simply add 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder per pound of regular dog food.

13. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural remedy for removing ticks from pet’s body. To use baking soda against ticks, you need to mix half teaspoon each of baking soda and salt. Add this dry mixture to four ounces of apple cider vinegar. Pour this mixture in a spray bottle, filled with 4 ounce of warm water. Spray it on pets.

Note: While spraying it, ensure that it does not reach the pet’s eyes.

You can also make a paste by adding little quantity of water in two tablespoons of baking soda. Apply it directly on problematic area.

14. Permethrin

Permethrin is a toxic substance, used to kill ticks. Simply spray it on curtains, clothes, and mattresses. Ticks get killed when they come in contact with Permethrin. There are various Permethrin formulations, which are registered for use on dogs and cats.

You can also dip a sponge in Permethrin-10 solution. Rub it gently on pet’s body to kill ticks. The Permethrin solution lasts for 3-4 weeks.

Alternatively, make a spray out of Permethrin. Just mix 2 ounce of Permethrin solution with 1 ounce of citronella. Also add a few drops of rosemary oil and four ounces of apple cider vinegar. Stir it well and fill it in a spray bottle. Shake it well before use.

15. Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil is very effective against ticks. To prepare eucalyptus spray, you have to boil 15-20 leaves of eucalyptus in approximately 1 litre water. Let it boil for 10 minutes. After boiling, let it cool down at room temperature. Strain the solution in a spray bottle. Use the solution to kill ticks.

You can also make spray by using eucalyptus oil. You are required to fill a spray bottle with 4 ounces of distilled water. Add 10 drops of eucalyptus oil in it. Shake it well before use.

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16. Liquid Dish Detergent

Liquid dish detergent is beneficial in killing ticks. All you have to do is to pour some liquid dish detergent in a bowl. With the help of a cotton ball, apply it on pet’s body, covering the infected area.

Note- Liquid dish detergent is not suitable for pets, allergic to soap.

17. Orange

Orange is rich in citric acid, which helps in removing ticks. Squeeze out some juice from 1-2 oranges. Apply it on pet’s body with the help of a cotton ball.

You can also apply some orange oil on the affected area. It is also a natural tick repellent.

18. Clove

The anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties of clove help in killing ticks. It has been used for removing ticks and fleas from pets. Pour some clove oil on palm and rub it gently on pet’s fur.

A spray can also be prepared with the help of some peppermint oil, clove extracts and water.

19. Tea Tree Oil

The medicinal properties of tea tree oil help in killing ticks from pets. Tea tree oil can be used in different ways to kill ticks. Add a few drops of tea tree oil in regular shampoo of your pet.

You can add a few drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle, filled with water, and spray it directly on pet’s body. Else, put a few drops of tea tree oil directly on the infected area with the help of a dropper. Now, remove ticks with the help of tweezers.

Note: The natural tea tree oil can cause irritation if applied directly.

20. Mouthwash

Mouthwash can also be a home remedy to pull out ticks and fleas. This sounds interesting. Pour some mouthwash on a tissue paper or a cotton ball and place it on the infected area. You will experience positive results. It is a proven remedy.

21. Turpentine or Gasoline

Alcohol fuels, like gasoline, are also effective against ticks. You have to pour two tablespoons of gasoline in a container. Now, dip a cotton ball in it and place it on tick. Let it rest for 3 minutes. With this, ticks will get suffocated and can be easily removed with the help of tweezers.

22. Cinnamon Oil

Cinnamon oil is very useful in getting rid from ticks. All you are required to do is to apply some cinnamon oil directly on the affected area. Cinnamon oil works as a natural repellent against ticks and fleas.

You can also add 80 drops of cinnamon oil in one ounce of water. Fill the solution in a hose sprayer. Gently spray it in the lawn. This will work against ticks.

Cinnamon oil acts as a protecting shield against ticks on human skin. Just rub cinnamon oil on your skin.

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Preventive Measures

Ticks are the type of insects, which remain active in warm weather. It is actually difficult to keep them out of our home as well as from our pets. There are umpteen home remedies to get rid of ticks, but what if we can take preventive measures to stop their contact with pets and household materials? Just go through these preventive measures for ticks: