Use of Essential Oils for Tick and Bug Prevention

USE OF ESSENTIAL OILS FOR TICK, MOSQUITO,
FLY, LICE AND FLEA PREVENTION

Dr Julie Schell   BSc(Hons), DVM, CVA, CVCHM, CVC

Veterinary recommended, safe tick collars and topical treatments are excellent at helping prevent tick and flea, lice and mosquito infestations in dogs.   However, if they are not available, or if your dog is reactive to these types of chemical-based products, or if you would like to treat your pet more naturally, I recommend the safe use of essential oil therapy.   Many of the chemical tick prevention treatments for dogs contain permethrins, which are not safe for use in cats due to toxicity issues, therefore essential oils can be used instead.

Many veterinarians trained in herb and essential oil therapy understand and use natural essential oil sprays that contain lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, catnip, lemon, citronella, lemongrass, rosemary, malaleuca, oregano, palo santo, and basil to help repel mosquitoes, fleas, and lice as well as ticks.  More research is currently being done to determine the efficacy of other types of essential oils and herbs as well.

Essential oils are natural compounds in plants.   Each plant has specific oils, often to help prevent itself from invasion from parasites, bacteria and insects.  Once extracted then diluted, these essential oil mixes can be safe for medicinal use in pets.

It is important to work with your veterinarian to ensure that the oils are used safely and effectively.

For more information contact us www.bowbottomvet.com or 403 278 1984.
We are currently stocking our own ‘Atomic Bug/Tick Spray’ made in-clinic! Come on by and ask us about it today!

References:

Some of the many journal articles available on Pubmed:

1. Mint , citronella, to repel ticks:   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19897309
2. Catnip deters feeding of ticks:   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19645285
3. Lavender  for tick control:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20433836
4. Rosemary:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20695287
5. Lemon to repel mosquitoes:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22903418
6. Catnip to repel flies:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22903418

Textbooks:

Shelton, Melissa;  Animal Desk Reference, Essential Oils for Animals;  2012

Shelton, Melissa;   Essential Oils for Natural Pet Care;  2011

www.oilyvet.com