January 29, 2017
Non-Toxic Flea Remedies
Looking for Non-Toxic Flea Remedies?
If you’re anything like me, you’ll hate using toxic flea treatments in your house and on your pets. I’ve spent the last couple of months trying to find a more natural way to rid my home and animals of fleas in a way that isn’t harmful to the environment or ourselves. Here are some of the most successful discoveries.
Natural Flea Repellents
Feeling more than a little frustrated by several failed attempts to combat fleas, I contacted my Aunt Lynda, who has spent many years rescuing dogs in the Caribbean. When she suggested vinegar, I was amazed. I had read about the benefits of using it before but didn’t think it would work. She insisted it was the best thing and never used anything else. She recommended mopping the floors with white vinegar because it is cheaper, and bathing pets in apple cider vinegar.
The most simple way to treat your dog or cat for fleas is with a simple spray of apple cider vinegar and water. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water into a spray bottle. Use a cotton ball to apply some vinegar and water solution to the neck. (Use 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water).
Feeling encouraged I tried it once and the results were amazing! Gone were the little red bite marks around my ankles and the sight of scratching animals – the fleas seemed to have completely disappeared. Not only that but after further research, I discovered that a vinegar-water solution is the best thing to use on wooden floorboards! Win win!
This was by far the most success I’d had with dealing with fleas in the home. And it’s cheap! I bought the white vinegar in Woolworths for $1.20.
Diatomaceous Earth
The other non-toxic flea repellent my Aunt recommended and I’d like to share with you. I had never heard of diatomaceous earth before but when I asked around a few animal rescue people had used it with success. It is basically is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. It is used as an insecticide, due to its abrasive and physico-sorptive properties. She recommended using it in the yard, sprinkling in plant pots, although other people say it is safe to use on pet’s bedding. She also stressed how important it is to buy the high-grade stuff, which again was incredibly cheap on Ebay at $12.00 including shipping.
CatanDog’s Collar Tag
The other non-toxic flea repellent I have used is CatanDog’s. This a unique concept that is said to keep fleas and ticks away from your dog and cat for up two years.
CatanDog’s is a unique electro-magnetically charged disc that is simply attached to your pet’s collar and generates a bio-resonant field that repels not only fleas and ticks, but all flying parasites. It is completely safe, non-toxic and has no side effects, which is one the things that attracted me to it.
Although CatanDog’s tag does not kill insects, the electro-magnetic field generated by the CatanDog’s tag are said to prevent the insects from making a home on your pet, where they would feed on their skin and blood, and breed, which means the tag must be worn at all times. We are currently testing this product out and will keep you updated – but so far, so good.
Other chemical anti-parasite products such as spot-on treatments or flea bombs provide up to a maximum 90 % effectiveness & have to be applied over and over every few months. Imagine how much money you would have to spend in a 2 year period!
Image credit: dingo.care2.com