Before I begin, I want to repeat myself about flea season. According to Dr. Karen Becker, fleas flourish most in temperatures between 65ºF and 80ºF, with humidity in the 75% to 85% range. Adult fleas die in temperatures colder than 46ºF and hotter than 95ºF. I once found a flea on a dog after being outdoors at 46ºF but it’s rare for that to happen. Maybe that flea wasn’t yet an adult. Who knows.
Being that my dog, Beverly (Bevi) is prone to seizures, I need to be very careful to avoid pesticides. Many tick and flea products are made from highly toxic pesticides which are unsafe for for our pets, children, and ourselves. My original article Natural Flea & Tick Repellent contains lots of information about most commercial products and provides several suggestions for non-toxic ways to deal with ticks & fleas. Also, please check out my article Heartworm Drama to make sure you are doing what’s best for your pet and not what’s best for your vet’s income. Not all dogs are prone to heartworm. There are many factors to consider.
Here are some more ways to protect your dog against pests!!!
Amber is a natural fossilized tree resin that works to release aromatic terpenes when rubbed against your pet’s fur. Static electricity and aromatic terpenes (produced by a variety of coniferous plants) work to naturally repel ticks and fleas.
Dr. Mercola Flea & Tick Defense for Cats & Dogs
Dr. Mercola Flea & Tick Defense is a non-toxic tick spray that repels ticks, fleas, mosquitos, and other pests naturally. There are other products that I have recommended in other articles that are really good as well.
Ingredients:
-
- Lemongrass Oil– promotes a shiny, healthy coat, and helps repel fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.
- Cinnamon Oil– helps repel mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and other pests
- Sesame oil– When combined with the other oils it helps protect against pests and promotes the health of your pet’s skin and coat.
- Castol Oil When combined with the other oils it helps to repel a variety of pests.
- Purified water– Is used to help blend and properly balance the unique formula of essential oils.
Chemistry Natural Flea & Tick Shampoo with Oatmeal for Dogs
Natural Chemistry Natural Flea & Tick Shampoo with Oatmeal for Dogs uses safe ingredients to kill and repel ticks, fleas, flies , and mosquitoes. The oils kill and repel ticks, fleas, and other pests. When you shampoo, start around the neck so the fleas don’t race from the body up to the head. Follow the instructions carefully.
Ingredients:
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate– provides sudsing and lather.
- Cinnamon Oil– kills and repels mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and other pests.
- Cedar Wood Oil– kills and repels mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and other pests.
- Clove Oil– kills and repels mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and other pests When combined with the other oils it helps to repel a variety of pests.
- Colloidal Oatmeal– has moisturizing and nourishing properties and helps with the itching associated with flea bites.
Other Ingredients:
Water, Vanillin (benzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-)
What to for your home:
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate– provides sudsing and lather.
- Lemongrass Oil– promotes a shiny, healthy coat, and helps repel fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.
If your dog has fleas, the key is to vacuum and wash. Everywhere your dog goes in your home needs to be vacuumed including fabric that is up to 2 feet higher than your dog’s height. Fleas can jump. I thought they could jump higher than 2 feet. This also applies to your car. Any washable fabric that your dog has had contact with needs to be washed in hot water and/or dried in a hot dryer should be washed. Other fabric needs to be well vacuumed.
Applying diatomaceous earth to furniture and other items made from fabric (sparingly, but covering fabric) and leaving it on for 2 days before vacuuming will kill fleas. The next paragraph describes diatomaceous earth.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous Earth is fossilized shells of tiny aquatic organisms known as diatoms. Not only does diatomaceous earth kill adult bugs on contact, but it also produces a repelling effect preventing new pests from latching onto your pet’s fur. It can also be applied sparingly onto bedding. Diatomaceous earth is so safe that pets can safely lick their coats after its application. It can also be sprinkled sparingly onto bedding and other fabric.
Keep in mind to use it sparingly. It can create a huge puff of smoke in the air like throwing flour into the air and it can be irritating human and animal lungs. It can also be drying so don’t overdo it.
You can buy a large bag which comes with a pump dispenser for very large areas or use one that is packaged in a small container with a sprinkle cap to apply the diatomaceous to your dog and his bedding.
During tick and flea season, keep your dogs safe from the pests! Here are other articles with ideas:
Natural Flea & Tick Repellents
Here are More Pest Repellent Products
