Natural Flea Repellents
Check out these easy ways to get rid of fleas on your pet and in your home naturally. Homemade flea collar treatments, Food grade Diatomaceous Earth, and more. Best deals on natural flea killers and flea repellents. Using pesticides can be harmful and even deadly to pets so many people are looking for more natural ways to keep fleas and ticks off their pets. Fleas and ticks are blood sucking parasites which can carry diseases and many pets have allergic reactions to these pesky critters. The following tips can help you get rid of fleas and ticks.
Five Things You Can Do to Get Fleas and Ticks Out of Your Home & Off Your Pets
The quickest way to get rid of fleas and ticks on your pet is to get a flea pill from your veterinarian which contains pesticides such as Afoxolaner or there are vitamin based natural flea pills which can be purchased online. Many vets will sell the pills without having to pay for an appointment. The pills are expensive. I have paid $20-$50 for one pill but have found them online for much less and they work almost as well, except in extreme flea infestations. If your pets are severely infested you may need to get a flea pill from your veterinarian. If you have several pets this could become a very expensive option but it does work to keep fleas and ticks off your pet but does nothing to get rid of them from your home. This is the flea pill I use for both dogs and cats to prevent flea infestation:
Flea Away All Natural Flea, Tick, and Mosquito Repellent for Dogs and Cats, 100 Chewable Tablets, 2 Pack
Fleas, their larvae, and eggs may be residing in your home and yard just waiting to jump on your pet. Pets which go outdoors and indoors are more likely to get fleas and ticks than pets who stay indoors all the time. Here is a list of things you can do to protect your pet and home from fleas recommended by the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).
Breaking the life cycle of fleas, ticks and other parasites is essential to keeping your pet free of fleas and ticks. Not only do you have to treat the pets, their bedding, but you need to treat the whole house every seven days. Don't forget to clean baseboards, areas you cannot see, like under and behind furniture and appliances because while you are cleaning surfaces and flooring you can see the little parasites are running to hide in dark places.
Vacuum:
Vacuum every day to remove eggs, larvae and adults; this is the best method for initial control of a flea infestation.
Be sure to vacuum carpets, cushioned furniture, cracks and crevices on floors, along baseboards and the basement.
Steam clean carpets:
Hot steam and soap can kill fleas in all stages of the life cycle. Pay particular attention to cleaning areas where pets sleep.
Wash or replace bedding:
Wash all pet bedding and family bedding in hot, soapy water every two to three weeks.
If an infestation is severe, discard old pet bedding and replace it with fresh, clean material.
Use a flea comb to groom your pet:
Use a flea comb to suppress adult fleas. Hair can pass through the comb's teeth, but not the fleas, removing fleas as well as flea feces and dried blood.
Especially comb the neck and tail areas, which is where the most fleas congregate.
Deposit fleas in hot soapy water to kill them.
Consider allowing your pets to stay indoors as much as possible, which reduces their chance of being bitten by tick and fleas (3).
Note: When using any kind of fleas, tick, mite, worms or parasite treatment it is vitally important to read the label warnings and directions on the product and administer accordingly. Never apply a product to a animal that it is not intended for. For example you cannot use most dog flea treatments on cats because many dog treatments contain permethrin which is toxic and deadly to cats. When treating pets with flea treatments it is best to do it outdoors so that any parasites that fall off of them will be outside and not inside your house.
Flea Away All Natural Flea, Tick, and Mosquito Repellent for Dogs and Cats, 100 Chewable Tablets, 2 Pack
Fleas, their larvae, and eggs may be residing in your home and yard just waiting to jump on your pet. Pets which go outdoors and indoors are more likely to get fleas and ticks than pets who stay indoors all the time. Here is a list of things you can do to protect your pet and home from fleas recommended by the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).
Breaking the life cycle of fleas, ticks and other parasites is essential to keeping your pet free of fleas and ticks. Not only do you have to treat the pets, their bedding, but you need to treat the whole house every seven days. Don't forget to clean baseboards, areas you cannot see, like under and behind furniture and appliances because while you are cleaning surfaces and flooring you can see the little parasites are running to hide in dark places.
Vacuum:
Vacuum every day to remove eggs, larvae and adults; this is the best method for initial control of a flea infestation.
Be sure to vacuum carpets, cushioned furniture, cracks and crevices on floors, along baseboards and the basement.
Steam clean carpets:
Hot steam and soap can kill fleas in all stages of the life cycle. Pay particular attention to cleaning areas where pets sleep.
Wash or replace bedding:
Wash all pet bedding and family bedding in hot, soapy water every two to three weeks.
If an infestation is severe, discard old pet bedding and replace it with fresh, clean material.
Use a flea comb to groom your pet:
Use a flea comb to suppress adult fleas. Hair can pass through the comb's teeth, but not the fleas, removing fleas as well as flea feces and dried blood.
Especially comb the neck and tail areas, which is where the most fleas congregate.
Deposit fleas in hot soapy water to kill them.
Consider allowing your pets to stay indoors as much as possible, which reduces their chance of being bitten by tick and fleas (3).
Note: When using any kind of fleas, tick, mite, worms or parasite treatment it is vitally important to read the label warnings and directions on the product and administer accordingly. Never apply a product to a animal that it is not intended for. For example you cannot use most dog flea treatments on cats because many dog treatments contain permethrin which is toxic and deadly to cats. When treating pets with flea treatments it is best to do it outdoors so that any parasites that fall off of them will be outside and not inside your house.
Flea and tick wipes:Most natural flea and tick wipes work well as a repellent and can be used on pets as well as surfaces.
Foodgrade Diatomaceous Earth can be carefully sprinkled on pets, bedding, floors to kill fleas and other parasites, and on feed to get rid of worms. It is rumored that it can cause respiratory problems in pets but I have been using it for many years on my dogs, cats, chickens, and a donkey with no signs of respiratory illness. Its best wait to treat bedding and housing areas until no pets, poultry or livestock are in there so there is less chance of respiratory distress. I carefully sprinkle it onto them with an applicator which usually comes with it. Diatomaceous earth is safe to use on all pets, poultry, and livestock, as well as, their bedding. Food grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is made from fossilized diatoms (aquatic organisms) which accumulated over millenia in fresh water lakes. The downside of using it is that everything gets dusty looking and is lots of work to vacuum, sweep, mop and wipe to clean it up.
Food grade de - meets U.S. Food chemicals codex standards
Omri listed - for organic use
Natural product - safe for human or animal consumption
No additives - 100% pure freshwater diatomaceous earth
No Contaminants
Omri listed - for organic use
Natural product - safe for human or animal consumption
No additives - 100% pure freshwater diatomaceous earth
No Contaminants
Homemade Flea Collar Treatment For Cats
Use a collar made of nylon or cotton and soak in a solution of 1 tsp unflavored vodka and 1 drop of cedar wood essential oil or geranium essential oil for 1 minute, let dry and use just like you would a flea collar bought in the store. Repeat this process every week, (mnn, 2017).
Homemade Flea Collar Treatment For Dogs
Use a collar made of nylon or cotton and soak in a solution of:
Alternative flea repellent collar soaking solution:
An alternative soaking solution is to mix:
Whichever solution you prefer to use, you will need to repeat this process weekly (mnn, 2017).
- 1 teaspoon unflavored vodka
- 1 drop rosemary essential oil
- 1 drop thyme essential oil
- 1 capsule of garlic oil (poke a hole in the capsule with a pin and squeeze the oil out)
Alternative flea repellent collar soaking solution:
An alternative soaking solution is to mix:
- 1 teaspoon unflavored vodka
- 1 drop eucalyptus essential oil
- 1 drop cedar wood essential oil
- 1 drop lemongrass essential oil.
Whichever solution you prefer to use, you will need to repeat this process weekly (mnn, 2017).
Make Homemade Liquid Flea Traps for severe home Flea infestation
If your home is severely infested you can easily make a liquid flea trap. Use a shallow dish and fill it with a mixture of dish soap (Dawn original dish soap works best) and water. Put a light over it. Fleas will be attracted to the light and jump into the soapy water which will kill them.
Featured Video: Guide to Flea and tick medication-ask a vet
You can Grow Plants which Repel Fleas , Ticks & Other Unwanted Insects
You can grow plants which can discourage fleas, ticks and other pests from hanging out on your property. Here is a list of plants which are said to repel fleas:
Catnip (Cat grass): I have read that catnip can repel fleas but have not seen this for myself however, I do know that catnip (cat grass) can do this:
Marigolds
Mint
Neem
Rosemary
Rue
Sage
Sweet Bay
Tansy Ragwort
Wormwood
Catnip (Cat grass): I have read that catnip can repel fleas but have not seen this for myself however, I do know that catnip (cat grass) can do this:
- Help cats spit hair balls, reduce hair mass accumulation
- Cat grass contains plant vitamin C and chlorophyll, which can help cats grow and help cats and dogs to relieve mild stomach upset.
- Give cats a type of "high"
- See Cat grass
- Chamomile is a perennial plant which will thrive in any herb garden, has white flowers, surrounding a golden yellow center. Chamomile herbs are most popularly grown for their calming effect when used in teas. The plants are not only edible, but also make an attractive flower as well.
- See Chamomile Seeds
- The flowers and foliage are edible, making them useful in the kitchen as well as in the garden. They're excellent for borders and cutting as they reach a height of between 24-36 inches.
- See Chrysanthemum Seeds
- "Creeping St. John’s wort, often known as Aaron’s beard, is one of the most highly adaptable ground covers in the trade as it will spread vigorously to quickly cover a hillside or embankment, even in conditions of shade. Morphology: A stoloniferous evergreen groundcover that grows to a height of 12” and a width of 24"".
- See Creeping St. John's Wort
Marigolds
Mint
Neem
Rosemary
Rue
Sage
Sweet Bay
Tansy Ragwort
Wormwood
What to Do if Your Pet or Livestock Has an Adverse Reaction to Flea Repellents
Sometimes pets and livestock may have an allergic reaction to regular flea treatments. If you suspect your pet is having an adverse reaction call your local veterinarian hospital. Find out more about what to do in an emergency here:
Notice: As an Amazon Associate and a Google Adsense Associate. I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases on this website. #CommissionsEarned
Pet Central Supply & Pet Care Tips
Hot News About Birds & Animals
Terms of Use/Disclaimer
Contact us: [email protected]
Pet Central Supply & Pet Care Tips
Hot News About Birds & Animals
Terms of Use/Disclaimer
Contact us: [email protected]
References:
- 7 Natural flea remedies for dogs and cat. (Feb. 26, 2017). Mother nature network (mnn). http://www.mnn.com/family/pets/stories/7-natural-flea-remedies-cats-and-dogs
- Guide to Flea and Tick Medication - Ask A Vet - YouTube. (2018). YouTube. Retrieved 19 March 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBpaoz9z1Mw
- Controlling Fleas and Ticks Around Your Home | US EPA. (2013). US EPA. Retrieved 28 March 2019, from https://www.epa.gov/pets/controlling-fleas-and-ticks-around-your-home
- Puppy, contrast, color and golden retriever | HD photo by Mark Zamora (@mmm_mark) on Unsplash. (2019). Unsplash.com. Retrieved 28 March 2019, from https://unsplash.com/photos/VbnZJ-yLLzg
- Plants That Repel Fleas & Where to Put Them - Vulcan Termite & Pest Control. (2015). Vulcan Termite & Pest Control. Retrieved 28 March 2019, from https://www.vulcantermite.com/home-pest-control/plants-that-repel-fleas-where-to-put-them/
- Plant, pot, seedling and garden | HD photo by Markus Spiske (@markusspiske) on Unsplash. (2019). Unsplash.com. Retrieved 28 March 2019, from https://unsplash.com/photos/7LsyosoO0GQ