Homemade natural sprays for repelling mosquitos, fleas, ticks and other bugs

Ivy enjoying some fresh air and sunshine

Ivy loves to go outside trail walking. While in the woods I would noticed a few bugs flying around her so off to my books to do some research on ridding these pests without using the chemical chew things that they sell. I can’t bring myself to give her these chemical filled chews. After doing a ton of research I came up with a few recipes that I use.

Several years ago I had an Akita named Fuji. What a sweetheart she was. I remember following the vets recommendations on vaccinations, mosquito, flea and tick preventatives. We had her on heart worm preventative but when she was about 7 years old she was diagnosed with heart worm. We did the treatment suggested by the vet to get rid of the heart worms, (this was about 25 years ago) it was very tough on her but she made a full recovery and lived another 8 years.

My next dog Clover was a 6 lb Pomeranian. She wasn’t the healthiest pup. She had chronic ear infections and a thyroid condition. I took her to several veterinarians but none of them seemed to be able to help her out. She had all her vaccinations and was given mosquito, flea and tick preventatives on a regular basis. I often think back and wonder, with her being so small did she really need all those shots, pills and chemicals put into her little body. She did live a long happy life of 14 years but she was chronically ill a lot of the time.

So now here we are with Ivy, who is only 5 lbs. I have read so many articles about all the shots and preventatives that we are giving our pets and how toxic they are. They kill the pests but what are they doing to our pets? I have already had my new vet (who practices regular medicine as well as holistic medicine) give Ivy the basic puppy shots. After reading this article, and several others I will be asking for a Vaccicheck and TiterCHEK to see if she is still immune to the diseases she was vaccinated for when she is due to be given a booster.

Simple safe ingredients for making natural pest repellents

Here are some easy homemade natural pest repellent recipes. These herbs and oils have been used for years and have been found to be very safe and effective.

Daily Bug Repellent Spritzer Spray (using essential oils)

Ingredients

1. 1 oz witch hazel

2. 5 drops of geranium essential oil

3. 5 drops of lavender essential oil

4. 25 drops of eucalyptus lemon essential oil

Instructions

Put into a small amber glass spray bottle and lightly spray on the underside of your pup, legs and tail. Spray a small amount on your hands and gently rub on your pets face and ears.

Natural Tea Repellent Bug Spray

Ingredients

1. 1 tsp of dried rosemary

2. 1 tsp of dried Chamomile

3. 1 tsp of dried yarrow

4. 1 tsp dried eucalyptus

5. 2 cups of boiling water

Instructions

1. Put your dried herbs in a tea strainer or filter bag and make a tea. Let steep overnight. Discard the herbs and pour into a spray bottle.

2. Spray on the underside of your pup, legs and tail. Spray lightly across the top and rub into the fur down to the skin. Put some on your hands and gently rub onto your pets face and ears.

Lemon and Almond Oil bug spray

Ingredients

1. 1 cup of water;

2. 2 cups of organic apple cider vinegar

3. 2 tbsp sweet almond oil

4. 2 tbsp of fresh squeezed lemon juice;

Instructions

Mix these ingredients up in a pitcher and keep in the refrigerator for the up to three weeks. Put a small amount into a spray bottle and leave on your counter (so that it is room temp) to use daily. Just shake up and spritz your dog before going outside. Spray on legs, belly and across the top of the back. Spray onto your hands and carefully rub on ears and face.

Recipe Notes

Almond oil contain sulfur - sulfur repels many types of insects including mosquitoes; Mosquitoes do not like citrus, especially lemon.

I will use my natural spray repellents and check her everyday for fleas and ticks. It’s a little extra effort than popping a chew pill into her but I think in the long run she will be healthier for it. Oh and these recipes are safe for me to use too!

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