A More Natural Approach to Tick Prevention for Dogs

Holistic Tick Prevention, Safer Living, and Supporting Your Dog Naturally

If you spend any amount of time outdoors in Wisconsin, you’ve probably already noticed it — ticks are extremely active this year, and they started early.

We have been hearing from many of our puppy families and clients asking the same question:

“What are more natural and holistic ways to prevent ticks without coating my dog in harsh chemicals?”

And honestly… we’ve been asking ourselves the same thing for years.

As breeders and lifelong dog owners, we spend an enormous amount of time observing dogs, researching health, reading ingredient labels, and paying attention to what we put on and into our animals. Over the years, one thing has become increasingly clear to us:

There has to be balance.

Ticks are dangerous. Tick-borne illnesses are real. But at the same time, many conventional sprays, collars, and treatments contain ingredients that make us deeply uncomfortable — especially when the warning labels themselves say things like:

• “Avoid skin contact”

• “Wash hands after handling”

• “Causes irritation”

• “Keep away from children”

• “Do not inhale”

And that leads us to ask:

If I need gloves or precautions to handle this product… why would I want it sitting directly against my dog’s neck, skin, mouth, and nose 24 hours a day?

With the dramatic rise in chronic disease, autoimmune disorders, allergies, and cancers in dogs over the past decades, many owners are beginning to ask these same questions.

This article is not about fear. It is about awareness, balance, and giving families natural tools that truly help.

Understanding the Tick Problem

Ticks thrive in:

• Tall grass

• Damp areas

• Brush and wooded edges

• Bushes and overgrown landscaping

• Leaf litter

• Areas with poor sunlight and high moisture

They do not generally love:

• Dry open spaces

• Bright sunlight

• Well-maintained lawns

• Frequently disturbed areas

One of the simplest and most effective natural prevention methods is honestly old-fashioned property maintenance.

Keep Grass Short

A short lawn allows sunlight to penetrate the soil and dry the environment where ticks prefer to live.

Regular mowing can make a major difference.

Trim Brush and Bushes

Ticks often wait on vegetation and attach to passing animals. Limiting your dog’s exposure to thick brush and overgrown edges is important.

Avoid Tick Hotspots

Try not to allow dogs to push deep into:

• Tall roadside grass

• Dense woods

• Thick shrubs

• Untouched fence lines

Especially during peak spring and early summer months.

Natural Plants and Herbs That Help Repel Ticks

One of the most beautiful things about holistic prevention is that your yard itself can become part of your defense system.

Many herbs and aromatic plants naturally repel insects and ticks.

Some of our favorites include:

• Lavender

• Rosemary

• Thyme

• Citronella

• Eucalyptus

• Lemongrass

• Mint varieties

• Cedar

• Rose Geraniums

Rose Geraniums: A Favorite

Rose Geranium

Rose geraniums are especially beloved for both mosquito and tick prevention. They smell wonderful, grow beautifully in pots and baskets, and can be planted:

• Around patios

• Near dog areas

• Along walkways

• In garden beds

• In hanging baskets

You can often find these herbs and plants right now at:

• Local greenhouses

• Landscaping stores

• Garden centers

• Farm markets

Creating an herb-rich outdoor environment is not only practical — it’s beautiful and beneficial for pollinators too.

Chickens and Guinea Hens as Natural Tick Control

Another increasingly popular natural approach is integrating poultry into the property.

Free-Range Chickens

Chicken

Free-range chickens naturally forage through grass and leaf litter and may help reduce insect populations, including ticks.

We have personally found that areas heavily worked by poultry often have noticeably fewer pests.

Guinea Hens

Guinea Fowl

Many homesteaders and farmers also swear by guinea hens for tick reduction. While we personally do not keep guinea hens ourselves, we have heard countless positive experiences from others who say they are excellent tick hunters.

(They are also famously loud — so be prepared for that!)

The Dangers of Tick-Borne Diseases

Natural prevention does not mean ignoring the seriousness of ticks.

Ticks can carry diseases such as:

• Lyme disease

• Anaplasmosis

• Ehrlichiosis

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever

• Babesia

Dogs may experience:

• Fever

• Lethargy

• Joint pain

• Lameness

• Loss of appetite

• Neurological symptoms

• Chronic inflammation

Some dogs may carry infections silently for quite some time before symptoms appear.

This is one reason why we routinely recommend wellness testing.

Why We Recommend 4DX Testing

4DX Test

We often perform 4DX blood work on our dogs.

This simple screening test can help detect:

• Lyme disease exposure

• Ehrlichia

• Anaplasma

• Heartworm disease

Even dogs that appear healthy may test positive after exposure.

Early detection matters.

Natural prevention should always be paired with responsible veterinary care and monitoring.

Our Thoughts on Conventional Tick Products

We want to be very clear:

This article is not medical advice, and every family must make decisions that feel right for their dogs and lifestyle.

There are situations where conventional preventatives may absolutely be appropriate.

However, we personally believe many pet owners are becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the amount of chemical exposure modern dogs experience:

• Flea/tick products

• Lawn chemicals

• Scented cleaners

• Artificial fragrances

• Processed foods

• Air fresheners

• Synthetic grooming products

When we recently walked through the pet aisle looking at flea and tick collars, nearly every package included warnings regarding human contact, irritation, inhalation, or toxicity concerns.

And again, we found ourselves asking:

Why are we normalizing products that we ourselves are advised not to touch?

That question deserves thoughtful discussion — especially as canine cancers and chronic illnesses continue rising.

Balance matters.

Awareness matters.

A Holistic Tick Prevention Routine

Natural prevention works best when layered together.

Our Favorite Holistic Practices

• Keeping lawns short

• Reducing brush and damp hiding areas

• Daily tick checks

• Herbal support

• Natural sprays

• Dry herbal shampoos

• Bathing after hikes

• Strengthening overall immune health

• Limiting unnecessary chemical exposure

• Supporting the body naturally

No single method is perfect.

But combined together, these approaches can make a major difference.

Homemade Natural Tick Repellent Spray Recipe

We love empowering families to make their own products.

Below is a natural essential oil-based tick repellent inspired by traditional herbal approaches and commonly used natural ingredients. Portions of this formulation and educational information were adapted from Ashley Adamant’s article on homemade natural tick repellents.

Ingredients

• 1 oz distilled water

• 25 drops geranium essential oil

• 15 drops lemongrass essential oil

• 10 drops rosemary essential oil

• 5 drops peppermint essential oil

• 5 drops citronella essential oil

• 5 drops cedar essential oil

Instructions

1. Add essential oils to a small spray bottle.

2. Fill with distilled water.

3. Shake extremely well before every use.

4. Spray lightly on:

   • Legs

   • Harnesses

   • Bandanas

   • Collars

   • Bedding

   • Around outdoor dog areas

Avoid eyes, nose, and mouth.

Reapply regularly when outdoors.

Homemade Herbal Dry Dog Shampoo for Tick Support

One of our favorite methods is using herbal dry powders.

These are especially wonderful for:

• Dogs that dislike baths

• Between grooming appointments

• Quick refreshes after hikes

• Natural coat support

Simple Herbal Powder Blend

• Arrowroot powder

• Colloidal oatmeal

• Kaolin clay

• Dried calendula powder

• Chamomile powder

• Lavender powder

Optional additions:

• Neem powder

• Food-grade diatomaceous earth (use cautiously and avoid inhalation)

• Finely powdered rosemary

Apply lightly to the coat and brush through.

Our Tick Repellent Products

At Vom Geliebten Haus, we have spent significant time researching and developing our own herbal-based products using carefully selected ingredients and proven recipes.

We currently offer:

• Natural tick repellent sprays

• Herbal dry dog shampoos

• Botanical coat support products

Our goal has always been simple:

Create products we personally feel comfortable using around our own dogs and family.

We believe prevention should support the body — not overload it.

Ticks are real.Tick-borne diseases are real. But so is the growing concern many owners have regarding excessive chemical exposure in modern pets.

We believe in:

• Education

• Balance

• Thoughtful prevention

• Holistic support

• Strong immune systems

• Natural living whenever possible

Sometimes the answer is not choosing one extreme or another.

Sometimes it is creating a healthier environment overall:

• Better nutrition

• Cleaner living

• Stronger immune systems

• Smarter prevention

• More awareness

And honestly… that philosophy extends far beyond ticks.

From our family at Vom Geliebten Haus to yours — stay safe, enjoy the outdoors, check your dogs daily, and don’t underestimate the power of simple natural practices.

Your dogs deserve thoughtful care.