Is your cat or dog constantly itching and scratching due to flea infestation? Are the annoying little insects finding their way from Rover and Fluffy into your carpets, or worse, onto your skin? Before you run out and purchase another round of flea-killing toxic chemicals, you might want to consider some less harmful natural alternatives.
Synthetic pesticides may do the job, but can be poisonous to pets (and the children who play with them) as well as to the fleas they are intended to kill. The chemicals can be absorbed into the pet’s (or child’s) skin, and in turn, into the bloodstream. The most commonly used synthetic flea killers can cause convulsions and respiratory problems, and long-term treatment can even result in kidney failure in your pets. These are serious risks – but they can be avoided by employing some natural flea-control measures.
The first step is to know your enemy. Fleas can be a major nuisance, and can be quite difficult to get rid of – they cannot even be killed by freezing temperatures. Their legs are so powerful that they can jump nine inches into the air – making pet-to-pet or floor-to-pet leaps all too easy. Fleas feed on the blood of your cats and dogs, but they spend most of their time away from your animals, laying their eggs in dark places in your house (such as floor cracks) – which is why your first line of defense is in and around your home.
There is a fairly new flea control method available for use in your yard – it is a spray made from freeze dried worms or nematodes which are natural flea predators. The worms are reconstituted and sprayed in outdoor areas around your home. A popular brand name is Interrupt, which can be purchased from many veterinarians.
Another outdoor flea repellent is diatomaceous earth (a kind of fossilized algae). It clings to the flea’s shell and eventually penetrates the coating, causing it to die of dehydration. (You’ll want to use food grade diatomaceous earth, not the type used in swimming pool filters.) It can be spread around your yard with a garden spreader, and can also be rubbed into your pet’s fur and sprinkled on his bedding.
Special attention should be given to areas inside the home as well. Your pet’s bedding should be washed often, and tumbled dry in a hot dryer to kill fleas. It is important to vacuum floors often, paying special attention to the dark, damp areas where fleas love to lay eggs. Remember to dispose of the vacuum bag immediately, otherwise eggs can hatch and re-infect your home. Boric acid powder can be sprinkled onto clean carpets to keep fleas at bay (but test a small area of your carpet first, to make sure it is colorfast). Boric acid compounds are available commercially, specifically for flea control purposes.
There are natural treatments which can be applied directly to your pet’s coat, without any chemical side effects. In addition to the diatomaceous earth mentioned above, a mixture of ground cloves and eucalyptus oil may help to ward off fleas. Pennyroyal, citronella, wormwood, cedar and rosemary are some other alternatives, many of which can be found in products sold at health food stores. Citrus oil can also be of help – brush it into your pet’s fur to help it penetrate the skin. One thing to remember – after treating your pet’s coat, keep him outside for a few hours immediately afterward, to prevent the departing fleas from infesting your home!
Frequent bathing and grooming of your pet will keep fleas away as well. You can find natural flea shampoos with some of the ingredients mentioned above at natural food stores. A lemon rinse after the bath is a helpful measure, leaving a citrus odor which fleas dislike. To make a rinse: Cut up a few lemons, cover them with boiling water, and let the mixture steep overnight. After removing the pulp, the lemon water can be brushed into your pet’s coat and allowed to air dry. Between baths, frequent use of a flea comb can be quite helpful.
An often-overlooked flea prevention method is your pet’s diet. The addition of garlic and brewer’s yeast will create an odor on his skin which fleas dislike, but is unnoticeable to humans. These ingredients can be purchased in pill form from health food stores, or you can use the real thing. Up to three fresh garlic cloves can be crushed and mixed with your pet’s food each day. Brewer’s yeast can be added at the ratio of around 25 mg of yeast per ten pounds of body weight. If your pet is allergic to yeast, a B-complex vitamin can be used instead, as it is the B vitamin called thiamine which is the important ingredient in brewer’s yeast. (Brewer’s yeast can be brushed onto your animal’s coat, as well.) Another useful dietary supplement is chelated zinc. Daily dosages should be around 10 mg for cats and small dogs, and 20 mg for large dogs.
It’s important to remember that your pet’s overall health will determine how susceptible to flea infestation he is. A healthy cat or dog will not attract fleas as easily as a sick or weak one. Feeding your pet a high quality food can make a difference, as well as making sure he gets enough exercise on a daily basis. This, along with the preventative measures above, can help keep flea infestations under control without the use of toxic chemicals – ensuring a happier pet, and a happier pet owner.
