By Mashum Mollah
There are all kinds of brands out there that sell flea and tick products in pet supply stores, supermarkets, online stores, and even through your tested vets. However, before you use any of these products on your pets at home, you must read their labels carefully and consult with a professional. Some of these products may contain ingredients that can actually harm your pets and even pet owners.
According to a study published by The Center for Public Integrity, at least 1600 pets succumbed to their deaths due to pesticides found in some flea and tick products. Needless to say, all toxic pesticides are equally dangerous for pets as they are for humans, especially the ones that contain permethrins. The study also revealed that the most flea and tick treatments that are EPA approved actually contain pyrethroids that have been linked to thousands of cases of pet poisoning. This is the reason it is important to look for natural solutions rather than using toxic solutions.
Luckily, there are plenty of natural flea and tick homemade remedies that not only alleviate your pet’s discomfort but also do so safely. These DIY solutions are safe for use and incredibly economical. Here are some natural ways to get rid of these pests that that are torturing your pets.
Diatomaceous Earth :
This naturally occurring earth is soft in texture and can be easily crushed into a white powder. This powder works wonders in repelling ticks and fleas naturally. You can sprinkle some of it on your pets, their bedding, and their play area to let the earth silently work as it kills all pests resting inside your pet’s fur.
Use Essential Oils :
Ticks and fleas are very sensitive to certain fragrances that include citronella, eucalyptus, cedar, lavender, and pennyroyal. If your dogs display odd behavior, it could be due to the existence of pests under their fur. Experts like pet-lock.com recommend to look out for signs of infestation like irritation, fever, discomfort etc. If you notice these signs, you should first get your pets checked by a vet. You can also try essential oils therapy to alleviate their uneasiness. Mix the essential oils in water and dip a cloth that you can tie around your pet’s neck. However, as you try this remedy, remember that cats are more sensitive to certain fragrances than dogs. So if you notice excess salivation or drooling, then it is a sign that the concoction is too potent for your pet. You can also plant lemongrass, sage, or mint in your yard to keep the ticks and fleas at bay.
Lather Bath:
When choosing flea remedies natural is always the best choice, so select an organic pet shampoo without any added chemicals.
Once your dog is sufficiently lathered, leave the shampoo on for just a couple of minutes while it does its work. This is a great way of killing existing fleas before moving on to flea prevention remedies.
Wash up your Pets :
Clean pets are less likely to be subjected to flea and ticks’ invasion. Use a gentle pet shampoo with some citrus to clean up your pets regularly. Make your pets soak themselves in the bath for at least 30-minutes before you dry them. You should also check the water for fleas and ticks as you rinse your pets. While most of them may be dead, some may try to hop outside the bath and latch themselves back to your dog or cat.
Lemon Bath:
This lemon bath is simple to make and will keep your pet smelling fresh and noticeably flea free. Simply dilute half a cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice into two cups of water, then add a squeeze of your normal pet-friendly soap or shampoo for a natural way of treating fleas in dogs.
Rosemary Dip:
If your dog enjoys playing in water, this Rosemary dip will seem like a fun game rather than a flea remedy.
Steep fresh rosemary leaves in boiling water, then strain the mixture and dilute it well in warm water. When the water reaches a comfortable temperature, pour the mixture over your dog and let it dry naturally.
Use Apple Cider Vinegar :
Apple Cider Vinegar is a must-have in every household. They not only help with your pet’s flea/ticks situation but also have plenty of other benefits too. Did you know that ACV actually works like magic as a flea deterrent? Just mix half part water and half part apple cider vinegar and pour the mixture in to a spray bottle. Use it to spritz on your pet. You can also add some of it to their drinking water as well. The remaining mixture can be sprayed on the window and door frames to prevent pests from entering your safe haven.
Multi-Purpose Neem Oil:
It is well known that neem oil is a natural repellent of any type of insect that includes flea treatment for dogs.
You can obtain authentic neem oil from India, Sri Lanka and even Burma, to treat your dog. Apply it directly to your dog’s coat, add it to your normal natural dog shampoo, or dilute it well to make your own flea spray.
Keep your House Clean :
This isn’t exactly a remedy, but a prevention which is always better than cure! All natural remedies and pesticides will fail if your house is not clean. Use a vacuum cleaner ever so often to suck all the dust, grime, and pests with it. To abort the infestation of fleas and ticks, you need to first terminate their lifecycle. By vacuuming your house regularly, you will be able to remove the egg-laying fleas before they turn into larvae.
Lavender or Cedar Oil Flea Collar:
A home-made flea collar is an ingenious way of keeping your dog’s flea protection constant without having to spray or rub them with the mixture.
Either purchase or make a simple collar or bandanna, then dilute a few drops of lavender oil or cedar oil in water and apply it directly to the collar or bandanna.
Wrapping Up!
Keeping fleas and ticks away is not just important for your pets but also for you. Like they say, prevention is always better than cure, use some of these tricks to keep ticks and fleas at bay. However, if they still infest your pets, take them to a vet immediately.
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