When you have dogs, dealing with fleas and ticks is inevitable. The diseases spread by fleas and ticks are numerous and quite dangerous; Not just for your four-legged friends, but for you too. Manually checking for fleas and ticks every day and removing them promptly is necessary. Apart from that, here are eight best natural flea and tick remedies that keep your pet and you safe from pests. Additionally, it keeps the environment too safe from harsh chemicals:

1. Essential oils
Essential oils like neem, cedar, rosemary, peppermint, and eucalyptus are great natural remedies for fleas and ticks. Take a few drops of any one of these essential oils, mix them in a carrier oil like almond or coconut oil, and rub them on your dog’s skin. Rub against the direction of hair growth and remember to keep away from your dog’s face.

2. Rosemary water spray
Boil a bunch of fresh rosemary in water to make it concentrated. Then dump the leaves and add warm water to the concentrate. Give your dog a rosemary water bath and allow him or her to dry naturally. The smell from this fresh herb would keep fleas and ticks away from your pet.

3. Vinegar
You can dilute one portion of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water and fill this mixture in a spray bottle. Then, spray this flea deterrent liberally on your dog when you take him for a walk or when he runs around the yard. That way you can avoid getting the vinegar spray splattered all over your house. You could also add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to your dog’s bowl of drinking water. Vinegar helps to not just get rid of existing fleas and ticks but also prevents future infestation.

4. Mint
Plants like mint, clove, basil, lavender, and lemongrass repel are great natural remedies for mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. So, grow these strong-smelling herbs in your yard to keep the bugs away.

5. Lime and orange
Fresh citrus fruits like lime and orange can be cut, their juice squeezed and mixed with a little water in a spray bottle would repel pests.

6. Food grade diatomaceous earth
Harmless to dogs but deadly for fleas and ticks, food-grade diatomaceous earth is one of the remedies naturally available in a finely powdered form. It dehydrates the ticks and fleas and kills them. You can sprinkle it on your pet’s bedding or scatter it liberally in your yard. Remember to use it carefully because diatomaceous earth should not be inhaled or ingested by your dog.

7. Hot water
Washing your dog’s bedding and toys in hot water and drying it in high temperature will ensure the removal of a majority of fleas and ticks. So, when you buy stuff for them, think about the washing ritual.

8. Salt
Salt is a natural flea killer. It helps get rid of fleas by drying them out and making it difficult for them to survive. But it has almost no effect on ticks.

Before you decide to try any of these natural flea and tick remedies on your dogs, consult with your veterinarian about their safety and effectiveness on your pet.