Essential Oils That Kill Fleas vs Repel Fleas - What's the Difference
Essential oils are pure plant extracts that can be used for various everyday wellness. But their benefits are not limited to just humans but extend to our pets too. Certain natural essential oils can help get rid of minor infections and germ buildup including fleas.
The presence of fleas can cause minor or severe irritation and side effects in cats, dogs, birds etc. Using correct essential oils under the supervision of vets can act as a natural method to reduce fleas. Now there are some essential oils that can kill fleas while others release aromatic compounds that repel them. In this blog, our in-house aromatherapy expert explores which essential oils can kill and which can repel fleas so you can make more informed decisions about your pet’s flea situation.
It is also important to ensure you source completely pure and toxic-free botanicals from a trusted wholesale essential oil supplier like Aromachology Oils. This will help you get the desired results minus the side-effects.
Essential Oils That Kill Fleas
It’s been three years since I first started using essential oils for fleas. And honestly, I never looked back after that. After trying multiple suggestions from friends and family, surfing dozens of blogs and expert advices, finally I got my solution in small glass bottles of essential oils. As it’s said, “Good things take time.” You will find multiple guides, many to-dos, and recipes dictating the use of essential oils for eradicating fleas. It can get extremely confusing at a point. I was in the exact same place a few years back. Nervous, confused, and whatnot!
That’s when I discovered that essential oils can also be used to tackle fleas. Now not all oils are the same. Some essential oils have bioactive compounds that attack the structure of the fleas and kill them. On the other hand, some emit aromatic compounds that fleas hate and try to stay away from. Hence, it is important to understand which essential oil aligns well with your pet’s needs.
Read more about essential oils for fleas on dogs in our complete guide.
Here’s a list of essential oils that are believed to kill fleas.
Cedarwood Essential Oil
The raw energies of cedarwood essential oil are my pet-friendly guide. I love to combine cedarwood oil in the bottle of my cat's shampoo. It’s of cedarwood oil kills fleas and ticks that stick to our pets' bodies. Plus, it also has rich antibacterial effects that wash out the buildup of microbes and germs.
Clove Essential Oil
This spice-based repellent essential oil is widely used in the formulas of anti-fleas treatment, like deterent sprays, coils, and spot-ons. Clove essential oil contains a rich mass of anti-microbial compounds that kill small insects like fleas and prevent the growth of toxins around your home.
Lemongrass Essential Oil
I can never get over the citrusy mix of lemongrass essential oil. It was one of the first essential oils that I tried for sweeping fleas from my home. Lemongrass oil contains citral and other actives that can disrupt the bodily functions of fleas and eliminates them completely.
Thyme Essential Oil
Who doesn’t love adding this amazing herb to their food but there’s more to it than seasoning. I remember my mother applying a mixture of thyme essential oil and jojoba oil to protect us during the monsoon. Thyme oil not only works as a defensive shield against bacteria also retains moisture for a long duration, feeling.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
If you are looking for the most promising essential oil that kills fleas from the first use, the tea tree essential oil will make the right fit. It is one of the most used essential oils to kill various types of micro-organisms and insects.
Essential Oils That Repel Fleas
Now that we have covered the oils that kill, here is a list of essential oils that repel fleas.
Lavender Essential Oil
Who doesn’t like the relaxing scent of lavender? Well, fleas don’t. Fleas are repulsed by the aroma of lavender essential oil and hence you can use it to keep fleas away from your pets. While lavender essential oil is a mostly soothing oil, check if your pet is comfortable with it before using it.
Spearmint Essential Oil
The minty aroma of spearmint oil is often disliked by fleas and hence is another easy to access option for repelling fleas. If you don’t have the oil, you can also use a few mint leaves.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
This popular oil for cold symptoms also finds its way to repelling fleas and many other insects. Eucalyptus essential oil's unique scent prevents fleas from coming close to pets and infecting them.
Geranium Essential Oil
Spraying diluted geranium essential oil as a mist reduces the risk of bugs and fleas to a greater extent. Besides, its application works as an excellent anti-allergenic recipe for flea bites and lumps caused due to it.
Essential Oils That Kill Fleas vs Repel Fleas - Picking The Right Approach
Selecting the right essential oils can be difficult. Start by understanding if the animal is already infected or if you are looking to just keep the fleas away. It is also necessary to measure the effects of different essential oils before trying them out for fleas. But the same advice may not count in serious conditions.
Mild essential oils might not work for fleas occupying almost every other corner of your home. In that case, the best option will be to use strong-scented oils like clove and thyme to attain effective and timely results. Irrespective of which approach you choose, always do a patch test and consult with your vet before going all in.
Essential Oil Combinations For Keeping Fleas Away
I have been a great fan of blended essential oils. I mean, it not only multiplies the results but also leaves many remarkable healing benefits behind. Here are the 3 best essential oil combinations that you can use to eliminate fleas from your home.
- Lavender + Rosemary + virgin coconut oil
- Peppermint + Argan carrier oil
- Germanium + Thyme + Jojoba oil
Approximate Wait Time Fir Results
Unlike chemical-based flea solutions, essential oils do not contain any harmful chemical compounds. This affects the timeliness of results to some extent. But this is not the case with each essential oil.
Strong-spiced oils like clove essential oil and cardamom essential oil kill fleas in the first use only. While essential oils like tea tree and lemongrass damage the nervous system of fleas and end their ability to move and react. This practice might give you timely results, but it does not serve the best interests. Killing fleas and ticks can make you feel goofed for no particular reason.
In my view, the best method is to use mild, gentle essential oils like eucalyptus and lavender. They not only deter fleas and ticks but also help in easing the discomfort and irritation caused by them.
You can expect the results within the first 4-5 uses only.
Concluding Thoughts
Essential oils can be powerful tools in managing fleas in pets. While some essential oils directly work on eliminating the fleas, some are more beneficial in repelling fleas. When it comes to flea management, there is no one size that fits all. Understand your requirements and evaluate your pet’s needs before choosing the right essential oils. Don’t go all in, start small and slowly see your pets react to essential oils. Consult a vet, if needed.
