Fleas are uncontrollable this year. If your like me you hate paying so much for the store products and getting no results in return. I have tried everything to keep my dog flea free. I have gone as far as giving him a bath after every time he goes outside. Which gets really annoying.
In effort to save money I have been searching the web for some homemade ideas. Here are a few ideas to try at home if you are also having the same problem.
Note: Do not use essential oils on cats! While cats are extremely sensitive to Eucalyptus and tea tree oils, a cat's ability to metabolize any essential oils inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin is considered to be weak and there is always a risk of overloading a cat's system.
With tea tree oil, be especially careful to use products with 1% or less of this essential oil. It can cause nausea, vomiting, lethargy and general weakness, and should be used with caution. With this oil, more is not better.
How amazing will this be if it actually works.
Homemade Pet Shampoo
Here are a few recipes for some flea dog shampoo. I have not yet had the chance to try them. As I do I will update you with my opinion and how well it really works. I found several variations some include white vinegar and some include apple cider vinegar.
Other Pest.
Here is a chart to help with different pest.
Tips.
Always ask your vet before trying any home remedy on your pets. They can verify how safe the treatment is for your pet and may have more tips on how to treat and prevent fleas.
Lay banana peels on your infested area. The inside of the peel will face up and not be on your carpets or floors. Within a few days the fleas will be dead.
It cannot be stressed enough that even though these solutions are "natural", they can still be dangerous for your pets and people as well. Watch out for signs of discomfort and sickness.
Save your grapefruit peels and soak them in the bath water before the pet bathes. (If you don't have a problem with it.) Fleas usually hate the smell and may jump off, but make sure you do this outside.
Send the pet(s) outside or confine them to the bathroom so that any fleas they're carrying would not jump onto the surface you just cleaned.
Vacuuming can kill almost as many fleas as any product and is very effective on hard wood floors that have gaps. Vacuum a heavily infested room twice a day to see if you can put a dent in the problem.
Warnings.
Be careful of using too much of anything, especially essential oils. Essential oils also are toxic to many animals--especially cats. Check with your vet.
Many herbal proponents say that SOME essential oils are safe for cats. The key is not using too much. Generally accepted cat-safe oils are Cedarwood, Lemongrass, Peppermint, and Rosemary. AVOID Tea Tree Oil and any citrus oils (lemon, orange, grapefruit, etc.) Lemongrass is safe as it is an herb rather than a citrus fruit. Do an Internet search for "cat safe essential oils" for more information. Read several different sites, without relying on only one or two for the "full picture."
With tea tree oil, be especially careful to use products with 1% or less of this essential oil. It can cause nausea, vomiting, lethargy and general weakness, and should be used with caution. With this oil, more is not better.
Watch your animals closely for any signs of sensitivity. Don't introduce everything at once. Try one thing at a time so that you know if it will be too disruptive to your pet's health or comfort.
P.S.
If you have any tricks to share feel free to post them here or email me at gwendolynn57@gmail.com.
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