How to Treat Ticks and Fleas with Apple Cider Vinegar

Pet owners have discovered that apple cider vinegar can serve as an effective alternative for treating ticks and fleas. Its acidic properties are not appealing to these pests, and when sprayed regularly on pets, the apple cider vinegar solution can prevent fleas and ticks from spreading. If your pet is allergic to chemicals or you prefer a natural approach, follow these simple steps to create a flea treatment bath and apple cider vinegar solution for your pet.

Prepare the Apple Cider Vinegar Solution. Instead of applying pure apple cider vinegar directly to your pet's skin, dilute it to avoid irritation. Combine 1 cup of apple cider vinegar, 1 liter of water, and 30 ml of castile soap. This diluted solution is strong enough to address fleas and ticks but mild enough not to be overpowering.

• If you want to add something extra to repel fleas and ticks from your pet, you can add 2-3 drops of lavender or cedarwood essential oil to the mixture. Essential oils will repel fleas and ticks, while also giving the solution a pleasant scent. You can also include 60 ml of aloe vera to the mix. Aloe vera will help moisturize your pet's skin and keep fleas at bay.
• Apple cider vinegar is non-toxic to dogs and cats. However, if your pet has sensitive skin, you can adjust the vinegar-to-water ratio to 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water.

Wear gloves, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts. Fleas and ticks can bite humans too, so it’s important to protect yourself while treating your pets. Wear rubber gloves, long-sleeved shirts, and pants to avoid bites.

• You can also tie your pant legs around your ankles to prevent fleas from biting.

Apply the treatment solution to your pet. Soak your pet's fur with the apple cider vinegar solution, ensuring it covers the entire coat. Use your fingers to rub the solution into the fur and down to the skin. The castile soap will create foam, so be sure to rub the foam into your pet's skin. Let the solution sit for about 10 minutes.

• Avoid getting the solution in your pet’s eyes, as it may cause irritation.
• If treating live fleas and ticks, it’s best to do this outside. If it’s too cold outside, you can use a bathtub.
• If your pet has a large number of fleas, you may need to repeat the treatment one or two more times to be sure it’s effective.

Use a flea comb. Before rinsing your pet, comb through the wet fur in sections to remove fleas. After each combing stroke, dip the comb into soapy water to kill any fleas on it. Fleas will easily leave your pet's coat because they are already irritated by the vinegar smell. Rinse with warm water once you finish combing.

• If your pet has thick fur, you may need to comb through it twice. After the first combing, rinse and reapply the vinegar solution for a second time. Wait for 10 minutes, then comb again.
• Be sure to use a flea comb specifically designed for this purpose, as regular combs may not effectively remove fleas and their eggs.

Carefully check for ticks and remove them safely. While combing out the fleas, also check for ticks. Always wear gloves when handling ticks to avoid getting bitten. While combing, gently feel for any small lumps on your pet’s skin. If you find a tick, use tweezers to carefully remove it. Grasp the tick and pull it straight out without twisting or squeezing. The goal is to remove the tick without breaking its mouthparts off.

• Disinfect the bite area with alcohol immediately after removing the tick. Check the bite site every few days to prevent infection.
• Place the tick in a plastic bag. If your pet shows signs of infection, bring the tick to the vet for examination.
• Monitor your pet over the next few days for signs of redness, swelling, or illness. If you notice any signs of infection, take them to the vet.
• Ask someone to help you hold your pet still, as the process might cause discomfort.

Repeat the apple cider vinegar treatment. Fleas have a lifecycle of several weeks, so if you missed any fleas during the first treatment, they could lay eggs in your home and spread again. You will need to continue treating your pet with apple cider vinegar every few days until no signs of fleas remain.

• Once the fleas are gone, you can apply this treatment once a week to ensure your pet doesn't get reinfested with new fleas.

Clean your pet's bedding. Fleas can survive for up to 7 weeks in your pet's bedding and carpets. Wash the bedding and fabrics with hot water and dry them on a high heat setting. Repeat this process several times while treating the flea infestation.

• This prevents your pet from being re-infested while you’re working on eliminating the fleas.
• You should also wash any other items your pet comes into contact with, including blankets and pillows.

Get rid of fleas in your home. Fleas and ticks can live in carpets and bedding for a long time. They lay eggs on your pet, and the eggs fall off onto the carpet and other fabric surfaces. To prevent the flea eggs from hatching, you need to eliminate all the fleas and eggs hiding in your home. Vacuum thoroughly throughout your house.

• Make sure to vacuum fabric items like furniture, mattress covers, cracks in wooden furniture, corners of rooms, and anywhere your pet frequents.

Make a natural flea spray. After vacuuming and washing all washable items, you can create a flea-killing spray similar to the bath solution. To make the spray, mix 4 liters of apple cider vinegar, 2 liters of water, 500 ml of lemon juice, and 250 ml of witch hazel in a large bucket. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and apply it generously around your home, including on carpets, wooden floors, cracks and crevices, window sills, and wooden furniture.

• You may need to repeat this process every 2-7 days depending on the severity of the flea infestation in your home.
• If you're just preventing fleas, you can do this once a month.
• Allow the solution to dry before replacing any items back into their original places.

Create a flea trap. If the flea situation isn’t too severe but you want to capture any remaining fleas hiding in your home, you can try using a flea trap. Place several night lights around the room, positioned close to the floor. Under each light, place a dish of water mixed with a capful of dish soap.

• Each morning, check the dish for dead fleas. Empty the water and replace it with soapy water every night.
• You can use this method to check if your natural flea spray is working. When there are no more dead fleas in the dish, you can stop spraying.
• You can also use tea light candles in this method, but you must monitor the trap overnight to avoid fire hazards.

Prepare an apple cider vinegar solution. To prevent fleas from attaching to your pet after you’ve treated your home, you can mix an apple cider vinegar solution without soap. Combine 2 cups of apple cider vinegar and 2 cups of water, then pour it into a clean spray bottle.

• Make sure the spray bottle is thoroughly clean and hasn't been used for any cleaning solutions or chemicals that could harm your pet.
• You can prepare more solution if you have more pets.
• Like with the bath solution, you can add lavender or cedarwood oil to the bottle. This will make the spray smell nicer and enhance its flea-repelling properties.

Spray the solution on your pet after each bath. This solution will help repel fleas and ticks, and it’s mild enough for frequent use after your pet's bath. Spray from head to tail, covering all their fur, then rub the solution in and let it dry. The vinegar smell will dissipate once it’s dry.

• Avoid spraying your pet’s face. To apply the solution to their ears and face, use a cloth dipped in the solution and gently rub it on their face.
• If you don’t bathe your pet frequently, you may need to spray them more often than you bathe them. Try to spray them every week or two, especially if your pet spends a lot of time outdoors.
• Cats and some dogs may not like being sprayed. If your pet is sensitive, you can apply the apple cider vinegar solution to their fur using a cloth dipped in the solution and gently rub it on them.

Add apple cider vinegar to your dog’s drinking water. Adding apple cider vinegar to your dog's water is an excellent way to prevent fleas and ticks from the inside out. Your dog’s skin and fur will have a faint apple cider vinegar scent if they drink it regularly. Add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to your dog’s water daily for every 20 kg (44 lbs) of their weight.

• If your dog weighs less than 20 kg, you should use less vinegar. For example, if your dog weighs 6 kg, use only ½ to 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in their water.
• Some pet owners give apple cider vinegar to cats, while others worry that it may disturb their cat’s pH balance. To ensure your cat stays healthy, it's best to only use apple cider vinegar externally on them.
• If your dog refuses to drink the vinegar water, don’t force them. Using apple cider vinegar externally will still be effective.

Use an apple cider vinegar solution to clean your home. You can prevent fleas and ticks from entering your home by using an apple cider vinegar solution. Just like the solution used for bathing your pet, you can use it to wipe down surfaces in your home, from the floors to countertops and shelves. This natural solution is completely safe and has antibacterial and disinfectant properties.

• If you are cleaning food preparation surfaces, avoid mixing vinegar with baking soda. The reaction between these two substances reduces the antibacterial effect.
• You can also spray the solution on carpets to continue repelling fleas.
• Your home will smell like vinegar until it dries, but once it dries, the vinegar smell will disappear.

• These methods may not always be effective. It’s always important to consult with a veterinarian to ensure that flea and tick issues are properly managed. If the natural methods don’t seem to work, seek your vet’s advice on alternative treatments.
• Be prepared to use chemical-based flea treatments if recommended by your veterinarian.
• Your pet’s fur will become soft and shiny after using apple cider vinegar, which also acts as a natural conditioner.