DIY: Tick repellent collar with EM ceramics.
A natural way to keep your dogs flea and tick-free all summer? That sounds almost too good to be true. And I have to admit that that was exactly my first thought when I found out about EM ceramics. It sounded a bit fluffy and vague so I didn’t pay more attention to it until a bit later a friend mentioned it again. I read a bit more and decided to just give it a try. You can buy collars like these from many small shops, on Amazon, or make your own. I love making things for my dogs so I ordered these little ceramic pipes online, got the paracord out, and made collars for all my dogs (and my dad’s dog 🙂 )
It took a bit of time to get them all done as blisters seem to be a part of paracord DIY- yeah, DIY comes with a few minor risks (but a lot of fun). A bit of tape on your fingers will prevent accidents like this easily:-). Also, I seem to pull the paracord vert tight, which might not be nessecary.
Here is what you need:
– EM pipes. I ordered them online. My dogs
have a neck size of about 40cm/17inch and I use 13-14 pipes for each collar.
– Paracord 2mm. (if you use a knot where you need the 2 cords to go through the pipes)
– A buckle/ rings/… I opted for a simple ring. If you want to attach a leash to this collar, you need to make sure that you order a strong buckle and finish off the end well.
– scissors
– a lighter to melt the ends of the paracord
– A pattern for the knots. The most used is probably the Cobra and this blue/green collar is a variation of that one. The Blue/yellow one from Oona is a variation of the Half Hitch, but there are a lot of possibilities. When choosing a pattern, it’s important to keep the size of both the beads and your paracord in mind as the paracord needs to be able to go through.
This is the video that I used for the cobra variation:
Update 2020: I’ve been using these collars for a few years now in summer. I am, of course, not able to arrange a scientific study or compare but I have the idea that they do make a difference, especially on Lizzie and Oona. I reduced the spot-on treatment to one or two months a year. Still, ticks are terrible nasty beasts so I check my dogs several times a day in summer.
Lori
Where can I find the EM beads online?
Fenne
I bought them online from a shop in the Netherlands: http://www.eko4petz.nl
snottyrottyHenny
were did you order your EM ceramic? I have been searching the web for hours but there is so many stores that sell them= mostly for water treatment= and they also refer a lot to burning temp…I don’t want to get the wrong stuff!
Fenne
I bought them online from a shop in the Netherlands: http://www.eko4petz.nl
Jillian
Hi there! Just wondering if the collars worked for you? Did it repel ticks? Thanks!
Fenne
It’s hard to tell, of course, as I can’t compare with another dog that didn’t have it but last summer I found only 2 ticks on my dogs. I will keep using it but also check them daily.
Sally Williams
Hi Are the instructions anywhere for that particular weave? I know it’s a type of cobra but I can’t find any with the cross stitches. Would love to have a go..
Fenne
Hi, I added the video tutorial that I used to the blog. It’s a nice one with the cross, isn’t it? 🙂
Sally Williams
Ooooh thank you, that’s very kind, I’m going to have a go. Presumably you have to have the pipes exposed on both sides so they touch the skin?
Angela Jones
Thanks for the info. I will try to fi d these beads in the US to avoid the shipping costs. I have seen EM beads online but they said nothi g about ticks, only abou5 water treatment. I wonder if they are the same type of beads.
Fenne
I think it’s the same kind, but not sure. Best of luck with finding them!
Janna Stephan
I’d love to know if you find them in the US. I’m looking too. I’m also curious if the water treatment beads are the same and what size to get.
Janette Humphries
I really like the collars you made. I want to give it a go myself. Can I ask how the buckle works please?
Fenne
Hi, I made these without a buckle but just two metal rings. (Slip collar style). Of course, you can just use a buckle or other system too.
Danielle Merkle
Do you know of an online US site that sells the EM beads?
Fenne
Hi Danielle, I’ve seen English/Canadian sites when searching for EM-x, EM ceramic pipes or EM™ (Effective Microorganism) ceramics but I have no experience with ordering there or in the US. I hope you can find them!
emmao
hi, just wanted to know, do a put the EM tubes through the straight paracord that is in the cord and then weave around them, as it wasnt clear in the video
Fenne
Hi, depending on the knot, you pull one or more strands of paracord through the EM tubes and the others go around. This way they stay very good in place. Hope this helps 🙂
emmaocarrollemma
thanks – i thought I would put the ceramic tubes through core cords and then weave around. The tube are quite find and only one strand of paracord go through one tube – will send you a photo. And thanks for your help.
lebowman
Emmaocarrollemma, what was your outcome?, were you able to string the beads on both of the core cords? or did you use only one core cord to string the bead?
vivian simao
what is the review on how well the beads repel ticks and fleas? i used the beads on my dogs last year and they appeared tick and flea free…..just wondering about others’ experience. has anyone tried garlic for dogs to repel flea and tick? i am so worried about the toxic content of the vet sold stuff for flea and tick prevention for dogs. thx
Fenne
I have tried garlic too, but for my dogs, it didn’t seem to work. The EM beads do seem to work although I find it hard to believe :-). I now give them about one dose of the vet stuff in the worst month. I am also worried about the toxic products, but since we live in the woods, it’s a difficult choice.