More and more warnings have been surfacing about chemical based flea & tick treatments. This only inspired us to dive deep and find even more ways we can naturally repel these pests. Find Part 1 here where we discuss the basics of keeping your pet naturally pest free!

Ultrasonic Tick Repellent

Tickless

These little devices emit ultrasonic pulses that are imperceptible to humans and pets, but interfere with the ability of the parasites to orient themselves, thus keeping them away from your pet. The device is primarily intended for preventive purposes.

A study out of the University of Camerino’s School of Medical Veterinary Sciences concluded that these devices are “…able to prevent new infestation & reduce those already present.”

Although the Tickless devices (and those similar to it) are not able to kill ticks, they can prevent Ticks from getting onto your pet in the first place! Which is what we want right? Keep them off my dog and out of my home!

Tick-Off Essential Oil Drops

Used exactly like chemical based flea & tick drops, you put these drops on the base of the neck and tail and let them absorb into the body and bloodstream. These drops will act, as the chemical ones would, and become part of the dog. You have to reapply every 2 weeks, but it is a totally safe, chemical free option (a great product to use if you have small children touching your pet).

Keep your yard tidy

Make sure to keep you yard neat and tidy! Ticks love to hang out in dead leaves and long grasses. The up keep will be well worth it, as your yard won’t be as inviting for ticks to reproduce in.

Plant tick repelling herbs

I couldn’t find as much evidence on the plants themselves (other than sweetgrass which has been studied for its ability to repel bugs and used for such purposes – among others – by Native Americans), but a lot of the essential oils that repel ticks are made from plants and herbs that you can plant in your yard or on your balcony. This will help create an inhabitable space for these nasty pests.

• Rosemary
• Wormwood
• Lemongrass
• Citronella
• Lavender
• Mint
• Rose Geranium
• Sweetgrass*

Feed your dog garlic

No, it’s not toxic unless you over do it. By A LOT. The old fable that garlic is toxic to dogs comes from a study done 21 years ago, pretty much giving a 70lb dog the equivalent of 245 garlic cloves. It’s actually quite beneficial, and it helps repel pests like fleas, ticks and mosquitos! Add fresh garlic into your dog’s homecooked diet, or mix it into their raw or kibble. It can be given daily, or whenever you wish to add it.

• 10 to 15lbs: 1/2 clove
• Twenty to forty pounds: 1 clove
• Forty-five to seventy pounds: 1-1/2 cloves
• Seventy-five to ninety pounds: 2 cloves
• One hundred pounds and over: 2-1/2 cloves

Feeding guidelines come from Foreverdog.com.

Get Chickens!

Or better yet Guinea fowl! Although most of you probably live on the Island of Montreal, which very few districts allow these types of animals. For an absurd reason! If you’re somewhere that does, these fowl are great at eating ticks and small bugs! Plus they lay eggs, which are amazing for your pets and you!

There are plenty of natural options to repel pests, many of which when used in tandem can lead to a pest free life with your dog! Or use these along with your preferred chemical options to keep ticks, fleas and other pest off your dog, and out of your garden and home!

Quebec Resources for Ticks & Lyme Disease

• https://www.inspq.qc.ca/zoonoses/maladie-de-lyme
• https://www.inspq.qc.ca/en/identification-guide-ticks-found-quebec
• https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/advice-and-prevention/health-and-environment/removing-a-tick-after-a-bite
• https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/lyme-disease
• https://www.etick.ca/ – Send picture of Tick to be identified

Sources

• Tickless
• https://foderbasker.dk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/tickles-pet-dokumentation.pdf
• https://issuu.com/infinitytrade/docs/relazione_tickless_english_revised
• Chemical Treatments
• https://ivcjournal.com/isoxazoline-flea-and-tick/
• https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/fact-sheet-pet-owners-and-veterinarians-about-potential-adverse-events-associated-isoxazoline-flea
• Sweetgrass
• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150817085426.htm
• Garlic
• https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/garlic-for-dogs-poison-or-medicine/
• https://www.facebook.com/doctor.karen.becker/posts/what-would-happen-if-you-fed-your-dog-245-cloves-of-garlic-in-a-week21-years-ago/361645158658575/
• https://foreverdog.com/extra/toxic-food-myths/