Get rid of Fleas on Pets
How to get rid of fleas on cats and dogs (Without using potentially
toxic pesticides)
Ideas to prevent
re-infection
Grapefruit seed extract shampoo
You will need:
• Grapefruit seed extract (Triple strength/Citricidal)
• Cat or dog shampoo or BLUE Dawn® washing up liquid
1) Combine approximately
7-10 drops of triple-strength grapefruit seed extract for every tablespoon of cat
or dog shampoo. Mix thoroughly
2) Shampoo your pet's fur
thoroughly with the mixture. Best to do this outside, because
some fleas will jump off. How much of the mixture you use depends on the size of
your pet. E.g. a cat may need up to 3 tablespoons of the mixture. Keep mixture away
from your pet's eyes.
As you wet the animal down, the fleas are going to "flee"
for higher and drier ground in the head area. Therefore, to prevent them from escaping,
first pour a thick layer of the shampoo mixture all around the head and neck area;
as close to the top of the head and underneath the chin area as you can get.Pour
small amounts of water with your hand onto the soapy area and spend some time building
up a thick, soapy barrier that will kill the fleas that attempt to pass through
it.
Proceed by wetting down and lathering up the rest
of the animal's body while frequently returning to massage and re-lather the neck
area.
3) Allow it to sit
on your pet's fur for 7-10 minutes.
Do not allow the animal to lick itself during this time
(this mixture is too strong to be taken orally and may irritate the
pet's tongue); Towards the end of the session, use a flea comb if you have one.
4) Rinse the animal
off thoroughly, removing all the mixture. Leaving any soap
residue may irritate animals skin. If you like, you may dry off your pet.
5) Repeat Steps 1 through
4 in three days. To kill off any remaining fleas that
have hatched out.
Diatomaceous earth
(food-grade)
Kills by physical, not chemical, action.
Contains no chemicals, toxins or additives. Its tiny diatoms scratch off the insect's
waxy coating, and dehydrate it. Fleas cannot become immune to its action.
Fleas come in contact with the powder and die within
48 hours. Sprinkle on pet bedding and rugs
How to Use on Pet
▲ Apply full strength by rubbing into
animal's coat.
▲ Use 1 oz.on small dogs and cats / 2
oz. on medium and large dogs.
▲ Avoid getting dust in animal's eyes.
▲ Avoid inhalation.
▲ Reapply every 3 days or as needed.
▲ Do not use on puppies or kittens under
12 weeks of age
▲ Consult a veterinarian before using
on debilitated, aged, medicated, pregnant or nursing animals.
Ideas to prevent re-infection
OBVIOUSLY, remove source of fleas
(if known or
possible)
Apple cider vinegar
Add apple cider vinegar (ACV) to animal's water.
Tis makes the skin smell and taste acidic to the fleas and will repel them. It
also repels ticks and flies. Raw, organic apple cider vinegar is preferred. Animals
usually love the taste of ACV, which has numerous other health benefits.
Apple Cider Vinegar
(ACV)
- Example
doses - For a 70# dog use 2-3 Tbsp. ACV /day. For a 10# dog use
about 1 teaspoon /day.
Sprinkle a 50/50 mixture of borax and salt on carpets,
soft furniture, dark areas under furniture, pet sleeping areas.
Borax and salt work by absorbing moisture of the flea. Allow to sit for a
couple days before vacuuming it up. Since borax does not kill un-hatched flea eggs,
you may need to repeat the process several times, depending on the severity of your
infestation. You may want to keep your pet out of these treated areas during this
process.
Vacuum hard surfaces daily for a week.
You can add some borax to the vacuum bag to kill any live fleas you
pick up.
Rosemary
A Farmers Almanac tip to kill/repel
fleas. Steep 2 cups of fresh rosemary in water at a low
boil for around 20-30 min. Strain the liquid and remove the leaves (you'll get brown water).
- Use on
household surfaces . After completely vacuuming everything, wipe down
all hard surfaces, put strained liquid in a spray bottle and use on furniture, under cushions and under furniture.
- Or make
a spray for pet. Transfer
the strained liquid to a bucket and add one gallon of warm water. Allow the water to reach
a lukewarm temperature. Soak your dog or cat in the remedy by pouring over their
coat. Let animal dry naturally -preferably in the warmth of the sun.
- Alternative
rosemary remedy. Grind rosemary leaves into a fine powder and sprinkle
on the places your dog or cat sleeps and plays as a way to repel fleas.
Or try these ideas
Bug zapper in a corner on the floor inside the
house. Warmth and light draws fleas
at night and zaps them. Place behind a table so that children and animals can not
get to it, but that the light can emanate. Lowe's/Home Depot sell a 15 watt zapper
(for up to 3000 sq feet) for around $25.
Lemon water.
Slice a lemon,
put it into a bowl and pour boiling water over the lemon slices. Let it sit overnight.
Strain and put it in a spray bottle. Spray your pet and all places where the fleas
are at. Users of this method rave about how it works.
Water and light idea to try.
Before going to bed, lay down a white sheet and place a cookie sheet in the middle
and fill it with water. Lastly, place a lamp next to it. Attracted to the light
and the white of the sheet, fleas will jump into the plate and drown. See how many
you caught in the morning!
Banana peels.
Split 2
banana peels several times. Place on floor, where your pets will
not chew on it, inside facing up. E.g. Under furniture. Reason unknown, but fleas are gone in about
two days. Leave peelings there until dried and replace a couple more times for
good measure.
Give dog raw liver.
This unusual tip may be worth a try: give your dog a piece of raw liver to eat at
least once a week. Reportedly makes any ticks jump off the dog;
Essential oils used in sprays for fur or added
to shampoos - include Lemongrass, Lavender and Citronella, Eucalyptus,
Pennyroyal, tea tree, rosemary,
For the yard.
Use one cup
of pine-sol with one cup of vinegar in a water hose sprayer and spray the yard once
or twice a month.
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on pet bedding and rugs
