Fleas and ticks are nasty creatures, causing your pets to scratch and bite themselves to get rid of the constant itch. Not to forget that these parasitic creatures can then transfer and nest into your furniture, carpets, and every nook and cranny your pet visits. If that wasn’t enough, they also attract other parasites and tapeworms, making your pets sick. To help you, here is a list of deterrents for fleas and ticks you can easily find at home.

• Apple Cider Vinegar

Your pet’s pH level works as a natural deterrent for fleas and ticks. You can further boost your pet’s pH level by simply feeding your dog half a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar regularly. This will work on balancing their pH levels and ensure that they remain healthy, internally and externally. If your pets do not like the smell of ACV, you can make a solution with 6 parts of water and 4 parts of ACV and spray on them. This means not only is your pet going to be free from the parasites, but also, thanks to the acidic nature of their coat, they will have better gut health.

• Citrus

If you’re looking for a no-mess, no-fuss deterrent for fleas and ticks, opt for citrus juice. All you need to do is throw in fruits rich in citrus into water and sprinkle it onto your pet’s body. The citrus juice will deter fleas and ticks without and protect your pet from dealing with the side effects of chemical products. You can use oranges, lemons, tangerines, and grapefruits to make this solution. Just ensure that you sprinkle the solution away from their eyes. Try this natural remedy, and you won’t have to deal with pesky pests anymore.

• Essential oils

Essential oils can come in handy for a lot of things. Stress, hair fall, flawless skin? Whatever your need, you can always turn to natural and essential oils. The same can be said about essential oils when it comes to your pet’s flea problem. You can add essential oils to your pet’s shampoo or simply spray it on their body. Essential oils like neem, rosemary, lavender, lemongrass, and cedar diluted with oils such as olive oil or sweet almond oil can be an active deterrent for fleas and ticks.

• Garlic

Garlic, apart from having benefits your health, is also an effective deterrent for fleas and ticks. However, measure your use as garlic in large proportions can be toxic to your pet. Expert recommendation is to use half a garlic clove per 20 pounds of pet. This means you can’t feed a tiny poodle a clove of garlic every time they wander into the kitchen behind you. Additionally, ensure that the garlic is fresh and organic.