The
Whole Pet: Natural Flea & Tick Repellents
by Nancy Crowley,
DVM
As summer begins winding down in late
August and September, the flea and tick season is still going strong. In
fact, September is often the worst time for pets when it comes to fighting
off these pests. For pet owners wary of putting chemicals on their pet's
coat (or in some cases having their pest ingest a chemical insecticide),
there are some effective natural alternatives. The effectiveness of these
methods will vary according to your pet's lifestyle, health, and coat but
with patience and perseverance, you should be able to find one that brings
relief to your pet - and you'll feel better knowing that ifs all done
naturally.
Your most basic tool in fighting fleas and
ticks is the underrated flea comb. It is simple to use and very effective
in catching not only fleas and ticks, but flea eggs as well. You can get
one at a pet supply store for as little as a dollar. During the heavy
season, you may need to comb your pet daily; at other times, comb her once
a week or anytime she's been in contact with another animal that might
have fleas. For tick control, comb her after she's been in the woods (try
to do so fairly soon afterwards, before the ticks have time to attach
themselves). You can turn combing into a bonding ritual by doing it at a
regular place and time, and giving your pet a special towel to lie on. It
needn't be a chore! Talk to your pet in soothing tones while working and
you'll both enjoy this time together. Periodically dip the comb in a glass
of water mixed with a few drops of liquid dish soap to kill the fleas
you've caught.
Nature provides us with a number of
parasite repellents such as citrus. You can make a citrus spray by boiling
the skins and fruits of sliced oranges, grapefruits and lemons in a large
pot of water. Use at least one fruit per pint. Let it steep for several
hours, strain, and pour it into a spray bottle. You can spray this both on
your pet and around the house, such as on bedding. This suggestion is
primarily for dogs, as many cats find citrus smells unpleasant. (Some
people who have sprayed this on their furniture, in fact, have found that
cats stay away from it and stop clawing at it!)
Commercial powders, collars and dips are
often made with a variety of harsh chemicals. You can make your own
versions of each of these with ingredients from a health food store. To
make an herbal powder, combine as many of these powdered herbs as you can
find: eucalyptus, rosemary, fennel, yellow dock, wormwood and rue (one
part of each). Apply it several times a week by brushing your pet's hair
backward and sprinkling it on the roots, especially on the neck, back and
stomach.
In place of a flea-dip, add a few drops of
eucalyptus or pine oil to a pet shampoo and apply to your wet pet. Massage
it into the fur and skin, rinse and repeat.
Herbal collars can be made by soaking an
ordinary fabric collar in at least three of the following natural oils:
French basil, cedar, cinnamon, citronella, dove, lemon, lavender,
pennyroyal, or palmarosa (good for tick protection). Use one part of each,
and dilute in an equal amount of grapeseed or almond oil. Soak the collar
and drain on a paper towel. Dab on fresh oil every few days in the summer.
(Note: don't use this on pregnant animals who should avoid some of these
oils.)
Having a flea-free pet is only half the
battle. For every one flea you see on your pet, there are probably
hundreds lurking in your home. Vacuum the house and launder your pet's
bedding at least once a week. (If you know fleas live in your carpets, put
your vacuum cleaner bag in a zip-lock bag after vacuuming and either throw
it out or put it in the freezer to kill the fleas. Otherwise, they'll hop
right back out.) You can also sprinkle diatomaceous earth in cracks and
crevices around your house and under furniture. Diatomaceous earth is
fossilized remains of algae that kills insects. Though ifs not toxic, you
should wear a dust mask while applying it, and try to keep your pet from
directly inhaling it. The dust can irritate nasal passages. Do not use
this type of diatomaceous earth used in swimming pools. The sort you want
to use is sold in many pet supply stores. Keep in mind that a healthy pet
will naturally repel pests to an extent. The healthier your pet, the less
of a problem you'll have.
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