I am not sure that coconut oil would deter pests, especially fleas and ticks. However, it might help to discourage them because the skin would then be coated lightly with the coconut oil, and not as easy for the parasite to lodge themself on your pet's skin and bite him.
One of the things that I have read that both fleas and ticks do not like is peppermint, or most any member of the mint family. We planted some mint by the fron porch last year, hoping to discourage the mosquitoes, which are also said not to like the pungent smell of mint.
This year, a lot more mint is coming up where it has started to spread; so I am going to try making an ointment with the coconut oil and the mint.
From what I read, you just simmer the mint leaves in the coconut oil at a low temperature until the mint essence is penetrated into the coconut oil, and then strain it through a sieve and let the coconut oil cool down. It will usually harden as it cools, unless the weather is very hot, and then it remains as a liqud oil, and might have to be kept in the refrigerator to remain a solid.
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