A Holistic Approach to Flea & Tick Prevention for Dogs
- Serge and Veronika
- Mar 4
- 6 min read
How we protect our dogs naturally at Vom Geliebten Haus
Living with dogs in the Midwest means one thing is unavoidable: ticks and fleas exist, and every dog owner eventually has to decide how to handle prevention.
Over the years, many families who bring home a puppy from us ask the same thoughtful question:
“What do you use for fleas and ticks? I don’t want to be doing more harm than good to my dog.”
It’s an excellent question — and one we take seriously.
The truth is that there is no single flea or tick prevention product that is completely risk-free, and that’s why our approach has evolved into something much more balanced: a layered, holistic system that focuses on prevention, environmental control, natural repellents, and regular health monitoring.
This article explains exactly what we do with our own dogs, why we do it, and how our lifestyle helps reduce parasite pressure naturally.
The Problem with “One Magic Pill”
When people first start researching flea and tick prevention, they often expect to find one perfect product that solves the problem safely.
Unfortunately, that product doesn’t exist.
Many veterinary flea and tick preventatives work by introducing compounds into the dog’s bloodstream so that when parasites bite, they ingest the compound and die. While these products can be effective, they are still systemic medications, meaning they circulate through the dog’s body.
Every dog is different, and every family has a different comfort level with medications. For that reason, we avoid recommending any single universal product and instead encourage families to research options and speak with their veterinarian about what makes sense for their dog and their environment.
Instead of relying entirely on pharmaceuticals, we built a system based on multiple smaller layers of protection.
Our Philosophy: Layered Prevention
Our approach to flea and tick prevention is simple:
Reduce parasites in the environment. Repel them naturally when possible. Check dogs frequently. Monitor health regularly.
This method has worked very well for us over the years.
Step 1: Controlling the Environment
The first place we fight ticks is not on the dog — but in the environment.
Ticks thrive in humid, shaded areas with tall grass, brush, and leaf litter. If you change the environment, you immediately reduce the number of ticks present.
Here are several things we do on our property.
Keeping grass short
We regularly cut grass around the home and dog areas. Sunlight and dry ground conditions make the environment much less comfortable for ticks.
Removing brush and debris
We rake leaves, remove brush, and clear edges between wooded areas and open yard spaces. These “transition zones” are where ticks love to hide and wait for animals to pass by.
Burning old grass in early spring
In early spring we rake and burn old grass in some areas to remove winter debris where insects and parasites may overwinter.
Creating sunny, dry dog spaces
Dogs spend most of their time in areas that receive plenty of sunlight and airflow. Dry environments naturally discourage ticks.
Our Free-Range Chickens
One of our favorite helpers on the farm is our flock of free-range chickens.
Chickens wander all over the property throughout the day scratching the ground and feeding on insects. While they won’t eliminate ticks entirely, they help reduce insect pressure in the environment.
They are also wonderful to watch and add a beautiful farm rhythm to everyday life.
Planting Herbs That Naturally Repel Insects
One of the most enjoyable parts of our approach is something that also makes our property beautiful and fragrant.
Around our home and dog areas we plant herbs known for their insect-repelling properties, including:
• Rosemary• Lemongrass• Lavender• Geranium
These plants not only help discourage insects but also bring color, scent, and life to our yard.
When the breeze moves through the lavender or rosemary beds, the aroma fills the air. It’s one of those small joys that reminds us how powerful nature can be.
We simply keep the garden beds bordered or fenced so dogs are not tempted to dig or chew the plants.
Step 2: Using Botanical Repellents
When we spend time outdoors during tick season, we add another layer of protection: botanical repellents.
This is where our Tick Spray comes in.
We originally created this spray for our own dogs because we wanted something that would support our holistic approach without relying solely on systemic medications.
You can see it here:https://www.vomgeliebtenhaus.com/product-page/tick-spray
Our Botanical Tick Spray
Our spray is made with a gentle witch hazel base and a carefully balanced blend of essential oils traditionally used to help repel insects.
Ingredients
Witch Hazel Purified Water
Essential oils of:• Citronella• Eucalyptus• Cedarwood• Lemongrass• Lavender• Tea Tree• Patchouli• Catnip• Geranium
Why These Ingredients?
Each ingredient was chosen intentionally for its traditional insect-repelling or skin-supporting properties.
Witch Hazel
A gentle, alcohol-free base that refreshes the coat and helps distribute the essential oils evenly.
Citronella & Lemongrass
Widely used in natural insect-repellent formulas and contribute a fresh citrus scent.
Cedarwood
Known for its warm, woodsy aroma and long history in natural flea and tick repellents.
Eucalyptus
Commonly used in botanical outdoor sprays for its strong aromatic profile.
Lavender
Soothing for the skin while also contributing to insect deterrence.
Tea Tree
Included in very small, carefully balanced amounts as part of traditional pest-repelling blends.
Patchouli
Earthy and grounding, often used in outdoor insect deterrent formulas.
Catnip
Catnip oil contains nepetalactone, a natural compound known for strong insect-repelling properties.
Geranium
Traditionally used in botanical pest control blends.
How We Use the Spray
Our tick spray is used as an additional layer of protection during outdoor activities.
We lightly mist the dogs before:
• Walks in wooded areas• Time in tall grass• Hiking or training outdoors• Farm chores during peak tick season
The scent is fresh, herbal, and pleasant — much nicer than chemical repellents.
Step 3: Daily Tick Checks
Even with prevention measures, ticks can still happen — especially in the Midwest where tick pressure can be high.
That’s why we rely heavily on something simple:
our hands and eyes.
Every time dogs come inside, we quickly check:
• Behind the ears• Around the neck and collar area• Armpits• Groin area• Around the muzzle• Base of the tail
Ticks often look for warm protected spots to latch.
Removing a tick early dramatically reduces the risk of disease transmission.
Monitoring Health with 4DX Bloodwork
Prevention is important, but monitoring health is equally important.
For this reason, we run a 4DX blood screening on all of our dogs twice a year.
We typically test:
• At the beginning of summer• Again in November
The 4DX test is a quick in-clinic blood screening that checks for four major infections:
• Lyme disease• Anaplasmosis• Ehrlichiosis• Heartworm
The results are simple yes-or-no screening results, allowing early detection.
If anything is caught early, treatment is typically much easier and more successful.
For families living in the Midwest where ticks are common, we strongly recommend testing twice per year.
In areas where ticks are less prevalent, once per year may be sufficient.
Why We Do Not Rely Solely on Medications
Over the years we have seen that relying entirely on medications can create a false sense of security.
Even dogs on preventative products may still encounter ticks.
Our philosophy is to remain actively involved in prevention through:
• environmental management• natural repellents• frequent checks• regular health monitoring
This approach aligns with the way we live our lives on the farm.
Our Lifestyle Matters
One of the most important things to understand is that our prevention system is part of a larger lifestyle philosophy.
At Vom Geliebten Haus and Beloved Acres we try to live close to nature.
Our dogs grow up surrounded by:
• orchards• herb gardens• open fields• free-range chickens• fresh air and sunshine
We believe a balanced environment contributes to overall health and resilience.
What We Recommend for Puppy Families
Every home and environment is different.
If you live in an area with heavy tick populations, we always recommend:
• researching preventative options• discussing them with your veterinarian• combining prevention methods rather than relying on only one
No matter which prevention route you choose, we strongly recommend:
• regular tick checks• yearly (or twice yearly) 4DX screening• keeping outdoor environments clean and sunny
A Natural Layer of Protection
Made with carefully selected plant oils.
Gentle on the coat. Tough on ticks.
Our Botanical Tick Spray was created to support families who want a more natural outdoor repellent option.
It’s one more tool that fits into a thoughtful prevention routine.
You can learn more about it here:
Final Thoughts
There is no perfect flea and tick solution.
But with thoughtful care, awareness, and a layered approach, you can greatly reduce risk while supporting your dog’s health naturally.
Our goal has always been simple:
Raise healthy dogs. Support families with honest information. And share the lifestyle that has worked for us.
If you ever have questions about tick prevention or dog health, we are always happy to help.
— Vom Geliebten Haus 🐾
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