Natural remedies for fleas by Liz

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Yuk, fleas....but for those of us who are pet lovers, it's almost inevidable that our beloved pet(s) will have fleas at some point. While there are tons of over the counter remidies, all that include harsh and harmful chemicals, there is a lot we can do the natural way. Here's a few natural remedies. I haven't personally tested any of these, but I will do so in about a week, when I  bring my new puppy home! (theses are for both cats and dogs except the essential oils, which are not safe for cats)

 

remember that fleas have an exoskelton and also have the ability to form an oil bubble around them that's filled with oxygen, so when your pet gets wet, the fleas automatically protect themselves, therefore living through a bath.

 

1) bathe with dawn dish soap.Take equal amounts of dawn and water and mix together. Start at the head(be careful not to get any in the eyes) working up to a lather all the way to the tip of the tail, making sure you get all body parts. Let the suds sit for about 5 min, then rinse off. DON'T wet the animal first. Comb through and remove any left over fleas. Can be repeated as often as you need to.

 

2) combine equal parts of white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. This can be sprayed on your pet, working it into the coat. Can also be sprayed on pet bedding, carpeting anywhere fleas may hide. Doesn't really kill fleas but it will repel them.

 

3) take the peels from about 4 oranges (or more) and boil them in about in about a quart of water until they're soft. Let it cool, take the peels with some of the water and put them in a blender or food processor, mix them, return i the the pan of remaining water, mix. Then strain it and pour strained mixture into a spray bottle.. Can be sprayed on pets, carpets, bedding. This will actually kill fleas because orange peels have an ingredient that dissolves the fleas exoskeletons.

 

4)Flea dip for dogs-- take about a pint of rosemary, boil it in about 2 pints of water for about 1/2 hour. Let it cool, strain it then add enough warm water to make about a gallon. Pour this over your dog saturating the fur....everywhere. Don't rinse it off, let your dog air dry.

 

5)To get rid of fleas in your home, sprinkle salt or borax on your carpeting, let it sit for 24 hrs, then vacuum. Be sure to throw away the vacuum bag or empty canister and throw that out after you vacuum.

 

6) use a few drops of tea tree, lavender or cedarwood  essential oils in a bath, or about a gallon of water. Use the same way as the rosemary bath, or add to a spray bottle.

 

7)After you rid your dog of fleas, a mixture of 1 tablespoon of almond oil, 14 drops of lavender essential oil, 7 drops of cedarwood essential oil, rubbed into the coat a few drops at a time will repel fleas.

 

8) repel fleas in your yard by spreading pine needles and cedar shavings around home and property line.

 

(sources unknown)