Every pet owner dreads that time when their beloved dog or cat starts itching and itching and just won’t stop. Fleas are a horrible pest that can pose some real health risks for the animal and human alike.
The insecticides that are used to get rid of the fleas can be just as dangerous as the fleas themselves. Insecticides are absorbed into the animal’s skin, and breathed into the lungs. They’re not even guaranteed to get rid of the problem. Fleas are often resistant to these insecticides and even more powerful ones must be used to do the job. This is bad news for your animals.
There is good news though. There are many natural methods that work just as well, or even better, without all the health risks to your lovely pet.
Give your pet a bath. Bathing your pet with an herbal shampoo will kill any fleas that are hiding in its fur. Make sure to pick out a shampoo that includes one or more of these ingredients; pine cedar, bergamot, rosemary, lavender, eucalyptus, citronella, geranium, or juniper. When giving your pet a bath it’s important to know that the second you get your pet wet, the fleas will take off for higher ground. They will run straight for the head and ears. To stop this from happening, put a thick coat of soap around the animal’s neck, the back of the head, and under the chin. Pour small amounts of water on top and form a nice thick lather that will kill any fleas that try to get passed it. Scrub the rest of the animal’s body for at least 15 minutes. Return to the neck every few minutes to keep the lather thick. It’s better to give your pet one really good bath than a bunch of ineffective ones.
Line your yard with cedar chips. Placing cedar chips along your fence will help keep fleas away.
Make a dish soap trap. If you have fleas inside your house, put a plate with water mixed with a drop or two of dish soap in an effected area. Place a lamp next to the plate. The light will attract the fleas and they will jump onto the plate. The dish soap traps them and they can’t jump out causing them to drown.
Try this natural flea medicine. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add a whole sliced lemon. Take it off the heat and let it sit over night to seep. In the morning pour the lemon water into a spray bottle. Spray it on your animals every day and comb thoroughly with a flea comb. Be sure to do a spot test first because some animals are allergic to citrus.