Living the all natural lifestyle takes a special effort especially when it comes to your sweet pet. Protect your pet and family by choosing alternatives to toxic chemicals. These home remedies for fleas will really help.
An ounce of prevention
Flea prevention is a whole lot easier than trying to get rid of them once they’ve taken over. How do you prevent flea infestations and keep them off your dog?
DIY Non-Toxic Flea Collar
An essential oil based flea collar is ideal since it provides excellent protection against fleas
They’re cheap
Easy to make
Directions:
Buy a soft material collar
Soak it in the following mixture:
1/2 tsp alcohol
1 drops cedarwood
1 drop citronella
1 drop thyme
Mix with 2 garlic capsules (empty them out) OR 2 drops of the following mixture: 1 tsp vegetable oil that’s been diluted with
1 drop garlic EO
Blend ingredients together and pour it over the collar until fully absorbed.
Leave to dry before putting around your pet’s neck
This treatment should be effective for about one month.
Everyday Flea Repellent Spray
Here’s my favorite everyday flea spray that’s lightly scented and very effective if you spray your dog each day when she goes outside. Pay special attention to the belly, tail, legs and ears.
What you need:
1 organic lemon
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
1 sprig of garden sage (Salvia officinalis)
1 quart of filtered water
Optional: 1 sprig of lavender
How to make it:
• Slice the lemon into thin rounds
• Place the lemon, rosemary and sage in a large stainless steel or glass bowl
• Add a quart of almost boiling water
• Cover and let steep overnight
• In the morning strain the liquid into a spray bottle
• Refrigerate (lasts 1 to 2 weeks)
Prevention for the YARD
Plants That Guard
Keep pots of lemon balm, sage, rosemary, catnip, lemongrass, basil and mint outside of your main “potty” doors and throughout your yard. These plants help repel fleas through the natural oils that they secrete and deter fleas from entering the house.
A Bit of Dust will do it. Diatomaceous Earth (DE) dust that is.
Diatomaceous earth is a non-toxic powder made up of fossilized organisms called diatoms that break apart flea eggs and dry them out before they can grow into adult fleas.
You can purchase DE online. Make sure you’re buying food grade DE only. Industrial grade DE is chemically treated and used for pools and manufacturing.
CAUTION: DE can irritate your lungs so wear a mask and make sure your dogs and animals aren’t breathing the dust. After the dust has settled, DE is safe.
What is YOUR favorite flea prevention?