DIY Flea And Tick Repellent: A Powder Recipe For Dogs (Organic, Natural, Non-Toxic, Effective)
Last updated on April 30, 2025 by Jess Healey
Originally published on September 22, 2017
Hey friend, it’s Jess…the original Scratch Mommy. I’m SO excited to share this DIY recipe with you today! If you’re a dog lover searching for an effective and non-toxic flea and tick repellent, this is the recipe you’ve been waiting for.
Our Golden Retriever puppy, Chouli, joined our family in late February. His name? A happy accident. The lovely family who raised the litter joked the pups all smelled like patchouli—so when we brought our little guy home, the name Chouli just stuck.
Chouli and Oliver (our toddler) have become the best of buddies, and it’s been such a joy watching them grow together. From the beginning, we committed to giving Chouli a healthy, holistic lifestyle—from clean food to non-toxic care.
Why Avoid Conventional Flea and Tick Treatments?
Many store-bought flea and tick treatments contain harsh ingredients that can harm your pet—and your family. Ingredients to watch out for include:
- Pyrethroid
- Tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP)
- Fipronil
- Flumethrin & Imidacloprid
We knew we needed something better. After plenty of research (and some Scratch Mommy Lab fun), I created a DIY flea and tick powder that’s actually worked for us for over four months—on 5 heavily wooded acres in Southern Indiana.
Result? Zero fleas. One tick. And a happy, healthy pup.
DIY Flea and Tick Powder Recipe
DIY Flea and Tick Powder Recipe
Equipment
- Large glass mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons or kitchen scale
- 1 25 oz (or two 16 oz) mason jars for storage
Ingredients
- 12 oz ½ part Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
- 4 oz ¼ part Arrowroot Powder
- 4 oz ¾ part Patchouli Leaf Powder
- 4 oz ¼ part Neem Leaf Powder
- 20 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 20 drops Geranium Essential Oil
- 20 drops Patchouli Essential Oil
- 1 Tbsp Neem Oil
- Tsp Vitamin E Oil
Instructions
- Add all dry ingredients to your mixing bowl and stir well.
- Add essential oils and stir again.
- Drizzle in neem oil and vitamin E.
- Mix thoroughly until everything is evenly incorporated.
Tip: You don’t have to be exact—just close! Natural DIY is flexible.
Why These Ingredients Work
Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Food-grade DE is a soft sedimentary rock that kills insects by dehydrating them—without toxicity. It’s safe for humans and pets.
Neem Powder & Neem Oil
Neem is a powerful insect repellent with antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Patchouli Powder & Essential Oil
Adds scent and helps deter pests naturally. Plus, it smells wonderful.
Arrowroot Powder
Helps the powder stick to fur and absorb moisture, distributing active ingredients more evenly.
How to Use This Powder
How Much to Apply?
For our 25 lb puppy, I use about 1 tablespoon per application. Adjust based on your dog’s size and fur thickness.
How Often?
Apply at least 3 times per week—more often if you’re outside a lot.
Where to Apply?
- Start at the nape of the neck and work down the back.
- Rub a small amount into the belly (I do this while Chouli is lying on his back).
- Use during brushing sessions for deeper application.
- Sprinkle a bit around doors, kennels, or carpets—then vacuum after 15+ minutes.
FAQs
A 25 oz jar has lasted us nearly 5 months on our medium-sized pup.
Some substitutions may work, but I don’t recommend removing the neem, patchouli, or arrowroot—they’re essential to effectiveness.
I haven’t tested this recipe on cats. Always consult a vet first!
A Final Reminder
This natural powder isn’t a chemical soak—it’s a topical barrier. It works because you apply it regularly. Don’t skip days!
Just like with DIY sunscreen, natural options may require a bit more effort—but they’re worth it.
Stay consistent, and your pup will thank you. ❤️
xo,
Jess
Are you not required to keep a face covering on because inhaling any diatomaceous earth is dangerous to the lungs?
Sure! Feel free to use a face covering. Just be careful to not “splosh” it around in the air so you won’t breathe it.
Wait, don’t all these powders get into the dog’s nose once you’ve applied them?
No.
I don’t understand how the powders and oils mix together in a jar??
Hey Jeani! Great question! Since the essential oils are pretty potent when you shake, shake, shake up the mixture the aroma permeates throughout and clings to the rest of the powder. Happy DIYing ?
Work for cats, or do they lick too much?
Hi Don. I would not use this on cats, as some of the essential oils can be toxic for our kitty furballs.
where do I find the ingredients to make this up for my dog?
Hi Regina! You can find almost all of the ingredients to make this in my herbal boutique here. Happy DIYing!
Hi!
Thank you very much for this great recipe! I have been looking for a natural tick repellent here in Europe for a long time without success. Since ticks, especially in middle Europe, are increasingly infected with blood borne diseases, it has become an issue for pet and human alike. I will definitely give it a try asap and hopefully spread its use further in order to replace the harmful pills they are often prescribing now. I also read that many of the ingredients support a healthy fur and absorb smell, so it also almost functions as a shampoo 🙂
I have one question regarding the recipe with which you might be able to help. I was wondering how much of the Lavender, Geranium and Patchouli I would have to use if I substituted the drops with powder? Maybe you know from experience if and how it would work 🙂
Thanks a lot and good luck!
Hi Pascal! Yes, this kind of does act like a dry shampoo…awesome, huh!? I honestly wouldn’t leave out the essential oils, as they play a key part of the recipe. If you do, please let us know how it works for you. Happy DIYing!
We have been trying for years to find a natural tick preventative product, including Rose Geranium essential oil. The Rose Geranium oil seemed effective, but we still found ticks on our dog during tick season. Then we saw a youtube video about tick prevention using food grade Diatomaceous Earth. We haven’t found any ticks on her in the past 2-3 weeks since we applied the powder. It seems to be very effective. This is the only natural treatment we’ve found that actually works.
We have been using this exact recipe for a few years now and absolutely love it! Patchouli powder has become next to impossible to obtain. I know that’s one of the key ingredients but I need a substitution as we are getting near the end of our current batch. Please help!
Hey there! We don’t suggest substituting the patchouli powder with anything else. After a quick google search we were able to find a few places that had some in stock. If you are still unable to find the powder, you can search for patchouli leaf and grind it up yourself with a coffee grinder. I hope this helps! Happy DIYing ?
lovely xx
I am so happy to have found your site with this recipe! I cannot wait to try it on my Yorkie.
Yay! We hope you love it as much as we do ?
I am so glad I found your site! Our fur baby Zöe, (Just turned 3) is a yellow lab “mix” (with we believe “pitbull” terrier) has a great grain-free diet, has a wonderful active life, is a loving, super smart part of our family, and can not tolerate any “commercial” flea and tick repellents. (Even the natural ones I’ve purchased from our local co-op and farmer’s market) ….. And we live in heavily wooded Mid-Coast Maine! (Which means we have a lot of ticks, including deer tick, and dog ticks.)
I am VERY, VERY EXCITED, JOYOUS even to say that I did a trial run of your flea/tick powder and it WORKED GREAT!!! THANK YOU!
I did use an equal amount of cream of tartar and arrowroot as I had it on hand, and I added some Rose Geranium, and Clove essential oil as well and so far so good! We have not had any skin reactions, she has not had any physical side effects, and there has been no lethargy, or “depression” from her! I am looking forward to our Spring walks, rather than dreading the hours of combing, and cleaning. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe! I’m not sure what is different, it may be any number of combinations, but it works and I am so thankful!
** I will say that the sticky disposable lint roller work great at removing ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes that have not attached, but are just crawling, sitting on the fur! You just roll the sticky side all over and the pests get stuck and are removed without you even having to touch them! Works very well after a walk through the woods!***
What a fabulous testimony! I’m so glad that you and Zöe are loving my DIY flea powder recipe. Fantastic! Thank you for sharing.
I love this idea, but for cats! We have four indoor and outdoor cats who we’ve been ‘dosing’ with the regular flea stuff. We really don’t like the idea and i think the cats get a little sluggish after it sinks into their skin. Do you have any idea of how it will affect smaller animals? I don’t mean to take your opinion as a vet’s, just maybe an educated guess.
Courtney, we do not suggest using this on your kitty friends. Some of the essential oils in this recipe are toxic to cats.
Is this repellent good for cats
Would this work for cats too?