Home Remedies For FleasIn general, home remedies for fleas tend to avoid the use of chemicals, both for your dog and the environment in which he lives. Many pet owners are concerned that placing poisonous chemicals in their dogs' bodies does more long-term damage than any flea possibly could. Maybe it's time to take a good look at everything we put in and on our furry friends. So let's check out some non-chemical natural flea remedies. Using these remedies can help you keep a flea situation from becoming a full-blown flea infestation. Home Remedies For Fleas In DogsGarlic and B vitamins tend to make your dog less tasty to fleas, so many owners supplement with garlic and brewers yeast (a good source of vitamin B1) during flea season to help their canine companions ward off attacks.
Also, overdosing on garlic or onion can be irritating or toxic to pets. One of the simplest home remedies for fleas is to bathe your dog more frequently during flea season, using a non-medicated dog shampoo. You can even add a drop or two of essential oils to make your homemade flea shampoo more "flea unfriendly." Leave the lather on your dog for a few minutes to help smother any persistent fleas, and then rinse thoroughly. You can also use an herbal dog shampoo that incorporates the essential oils of eucalyptus, citronella, pennyroyal, and other natural flea repellent oils. Follow label directions. (Don't use it if your dog is receiving homeopathy treatments, as it can reduce the effect of the homeopathy remedies.)
By frequently dipping the comb in hot, soapy water, you'll be killing fleas as quickly as you find them.
These combs are available from your vet or in local pet supply stores. It seems that fleas tend to avoid the scent of fruits and leaves such as lemon, eucalyptus, and peppermint, as well as some herbs, including rosemary, santolina, chamomile, southernwood, wormwood, celery, and parsley.
You can also sprinkle them in your dog’s bed, adding fresh herbs on a weekly basis. While considering home remedies for fleas, you might check out the variety of commercial powders and sprays available that don't contain insecticides. Most of these products incorporate essential oils to help eliminate and prevent fleas on your pet. Some essential oils that seem to be "flea repellent" are cedar, tea tree, citronella, eucalyptus and pennyroyal.
Many people are looking into homeopathic medicine for dogs these days, often while on a quest for home remedies for fleas. The major premise of homeopathic flea control is that a healthy dog will have very few fleas, if any. According to the philosophy of homeopathy, a dog is healthy due to the absence of chemicals, drugs and pesticides. Another important element is top-quality nutrition. In fact, veterinarians familiar with homeopathic remedies often advocate a raw food diet. If you choose to go this route, do your research carefully, and find a homeopathy vet in your area who can help you with your canine health goals. Home Remedies For Fleas In The HomeThe easiest and least toxic way to get rid of fleas in the house is to vacuum your home every day, concentrating on your dog's favorite areas. Put mothballs or a flea collar in the vacuum cleaner bag to kill anything you suck up.
My Golden Retriever, Peaches, liked to sleep with her buddy, Bitsy, and sometimes Rebel the bird joined them briefly (pictured here). Fortunately, we never had a flea problem. It's a good thing, as I'm sure my daughter would not have appreciated fleas in her bed! A powder based on diatomaceous earth is safe for use on dogs as well as around the home. It kills fleas by dehydrating them, plugging up the pores through which the fleas breathe. It's not only non-toxic to pets, humans and the environment, but fleas can't develop an immunity to it as they do to all other pesticides over time. One drawback to applying diatomaceous earth directly to your dog is that it tends to leave the coat a bit gritty. Some people are switching to boric acid as one of their home remedies for fleas. Boric acid toxicity is as low as table salt, so it's safe to use in homes with children and pets. It's also odorless and environmentally safe.
For upholstery, remove loose cushions, and apply along creases and into corners, working it in with a broom. Any boric acid powder you can still see should be brushed into furniture cracks or vacuumed away. When applied correctly, boric acid as an insecticide offers protection for up to a year or more, as it remains deep in the carpet fibers. It can also be used on hard floors and wood furniture, as the powder is fine enough to reach into cracks and crevices. Although boric acid kills flea larvae, it's not as effective at killing the adults. That's why you may not see the results for two to six weeks while the adult population dies off. During the initial weeks after application, it's helpful to vacuum frequently to kill the adult fleas. By the way, borax is not the same thing as boric acid (although they're both borates). Borax is a white powder used as a cleaning and (in some places) a preserving agent, while boric acid uses are numerous. One of the most popular organic pesticides, boric acid is helpful for natural flea control as well as killing other insects in and around your home. Another of the many home remedies for fleas is the use of pyrethrum powder (made from African daisy flowers) for dusting rugs, floors, etc. It's relatively safe and moderately effective, but has to be repeated fairly often. To apply pyrethrum powder, vacuum thoroughly, sprinkle the powder liberally on the rugs, and gently work it in with a broom. Concentrate on areas where your pet spends a lot of time. Wait at least 3 days before vacuuming, and repeat the process. Direct application of pyrethrum powder on your dog is not recommended. Home Remedies For Fleas in Your YardBeneficial nematodes are a chemical-free way to provide yard flea control. They're tiny little bugs that prey on both adult fleas and larvae. When the fleas and larvae are all eaten up, the nematodes die off.They can be applied with a hose sprayer or, for a smaller yard, with a watering can. Some garden centers and nurseries carry them or can order them for you, as well as some pet stores. Search here for more information on Golden Retrievers |
Keep in mind that some animals are allergic to brewers yeast, so watch closely the first week or so to make sure his itching doesn't get worse.
During the flea season, use a fine-toothed flea comb after each walk to check for and remove fleas without chemicals.
When you've combed them all out, simply dump the water and fleas into the toilet and flush.
You can weave these leaves and herbs onto your dog’s collar to discourage fleas from visiting.
Wash your dog's bedding in hot water at least once a week. You can even add some essential oils (see above) to the wash water for extra flea-zapping power.
To use it, apply directly on vacuumed, cleaned carpets where pets spend most of their time sleeping or walking around. Work the powder deeply into the carpet fibers with a broom or rug rake.
