A Natural Solution Using Essential Oils That Are Safe for Dogs
You can easily make homemade tick repellent spray for dogs and humans with essential oils that is surprisingly effective and with delightful fragrance.
So many essential oils act as a safe and natural tick repellent for dogs and humans. Even better news, most of these essential oils are also effective at repelling mosquitoes and fleas, sometimes just as well as — or even better than — traditional DEET.
If you’re growing your own herbs, you can make your own homemade tick spray for dogs and humans with essential oils for just pennies on the dollar. It saves money and is actually better for you and your pet’s health, so a win-win all around!
What About Essential Oils for Cats?
Whenever we share this article to the GardensAll Facebook page, people will inevitably chime in with concern and warnings about essential oil for cats. So while this is an article on dogs, you can find information at the end of this article on essential oils that are — and are not — safe for cats.
Homemade Tick Repellent Spray with Essential Oils for Dogs and Humans
There’s a long list of homemade tick spray with essential oils you can use to make an all natural tick repellent for dogs. Use these individually or mix them for improved efficacy and your scent preferences.
This list of essential oils includes essential oils that are safe for dogs if externally applied, and which shouldn’t cause problems if minute amounts are ingested from normal grooming. However, as with any new substance introduced to your pet, take appropriate caution and first apply at a time when you will be able to monitor your pet for any signs of distress.
Whenever using essential oils, remember that they are extremely concentrated from plant oils, and many are for external use only. As with any medicine, medicinal herbs and essential oils should be used sparingly and carefully,
List of Tick Repellent Essential Oils
- Basil Jolina. A 15% concentration will repel ticks 96% of the time. Adding a bit of granite rock dust will kill all ticks in twenty-four hours or fewer.[1]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35230583/
- Catnip – 100% efficient at 20% concentration[2]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6925501/
- Cinnamon – 100% efficient at 20% [NOT FOR DOGS]
- Clove Tree. When diluted to 3% concentrate, it is 83% effective as a tick repellent. For 100% efficacy, use a 25% concentrate.concentration[3]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28645519/[4]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6925501/
- Creeping Thyme and Citronella Essential Oil (a combination of two oils). This mixture of 1.5% concentrated Thymus serpyllum and 1.5% citronella oil creates a proven 91% repellency.[5]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28645519/
- Dalmation Daisies. These are used to make Pyrethrin, the second leading pesticide, only after DEET. Luckily, Pyrethrin is much safer for humans and dogs, plus it’s very effective. One study proved it causes an 80% mortality rate for mosquitos and ticks in an hour.[6]https://academic.oup.com/jme/article/46/3/516/859602
- Garlic. At 1.4%, researchers discovered it is 87% effective.[7]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28645519/
- Lemon Eucalyptus. Lemon Eucalyptus, also known as Citriodiol, is proven to make wearers 2.66 times less likely to be bitten by a tick.
- Neem oil – studies show need to be an effect tick repellent, with 100% mortality at just 20% strength.[8]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2866352/
- Niaouli – 100% efficient at 20% concentration[9]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6925501/
- Oregano – a 5% concentration is also as effective as 20% DEET. Use two or fewer drops for your dog because it can be toxic in higher doses.[10]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31578646/
- Peppermint – this is 100% effective at a 100% concentration for up to eleven hours (after eleven hours, it begins to lose some efficacy), (EXTERNAL USE ONLY FOR DOGS).[11]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6925501/
- Pine. It is 100% effective with a 100% concentration.[12]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6925501/
- Rosemary – 100% efficient at 20% concentration[13]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6925501/
- Spearmint – 5% concentration is just as effective as 20% DEET.[14]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31578646/
- Tea tree oil – [NOT FOR DOGS] is commonly mentioned as efficient at repelling mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks, but it is toxic for dogs and should not be used.
- Red Thyme. Red Thyme is 68% effective when it has a dilution of 3%.[15]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28645519/ At 25% concentrate, red Thyme is 100% effective. Use two or fewer drops for your dog because it can be toxic in higher doses.[16]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6925501/)
- Violet – 100% efficient at 20% concentration[17]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6925501/
Essential Oil to Water Ratio
Mix any of these essential oils (one or more types) in a spray bottle with water, and shake to blend. A good ratio is thirty drops of essential oils in one cup of water for enough to cover you or your dog’s body, including lightly misting your clothing.
You may also be interested in this article on plants that repel ticks and fleas.
Peppermint Tick and Flea Repellent
- 1 tsp pure peppermint oil
- 2 quarts water
This solution was provided by Debie Baugher “for heavy tick and fleas in the area.” Debie says that she keeps a spray bottle of this peppermint solution by the door and sprays herself and her dogs before going out.
Neem Oil for Natural Tick Repellent for Dogs
If you don’t mind you or your dog smelling like neem oil, neem can be a potent tick repellent.
In a 4-8 oz spray bottle, add:
- 1/2 cup water
- 5 drops neems oil
Shake well and spray liberally on your dogs coat, avoiding eyes, nose and bare skin.
Neem oil has to be diluted to go directly onto dogs. However, if a tick embeds itself into your dog’s skin, you can touch the tick with neem to make it let go immediately.
While neem oil smells the worst of the tick repellent essential oils, I believe neem oil is the best natural tick repellent for dogs.
We use neem oil for natural pest control of plants as well, including to