Natural Flea Control

CEBU, Philippines - Having pets at home is a lot of fun. But it's not only fun that pets bring for the family. Pets can also mean fleas.

It is everyone's knowledge that fleas are such annoying pests. These tiny crawlers can lead to an unhealthy infestation that may result in hot spots, skin infections, hair loss, anemia, and even tapeworms for dogs and cats. Fleas can also cause great discomforts for pet owners.

Many pet owners try to control or prevent fleas by using chemical insecticides. Anti-flea shampoos, anti-flea collars, foggers, spot-on pharmaceutical treatments, and sprays are often resorted to. But the thing with these insecticide solutions is that they may be harmful to both animals and humans.

Blogger Alice Abler shares non-toxic strategies, on blog.ppnf.org, that can help fight flea infestation. These are natural ways to help eliminate existing pests on your pets, in your home, and in your yard.

On Pets

Healthy animals with nutritious diets are less likely to host large numbers of fleas, and when the occasional flea does bite, pets with strong immune systems are less likely to have adverse reactions. But even the healthiest of pets will attract some fleas. Checking for fleas that your pet may have picked up outside - especially after a walk - can go a long way for keeping infestations at bay.

Although removing jumping fleas by hand can be tricky, there's has a clever solution (thanks to holistic veterinarian Tamara Hebbler, DVM) for paralyzing those parasites: Take a fine-toothed comb to your pet's fur. When you spot a flea, dab it with an alcohol-saturated cotton swab to paralyze it, and then drop the flea into a dish of alcohol. But pet owners must take caution not to use excessive amounts of alcohol on their pets.

A good anti-flea shampoo should kill most fleas - if the shampoo is left on the pet for about 20 minutes. But the owner must be sure to keep the pet sufficiently warm while waiting to be rinsed off.

Even the best shampoos will not keep fleas away, but there are several commercial non-toxic flea repellent preparations available that use pet-safe essential oils. A common, natural product that many find helpful to kill fleas on pets is food-grade diatomaceous earth (fossilized marine algae). The owner simply has to dust the pet with the powder weekly, making sure to avoid the eye and nose area. It is also a good idea to cover the pet's head with a damp cloth during application.

At Home

Within the home, the same diatomaceous earth (again, food-grade) and boric acid (a naturally occurring substance with low toxicity for mammals) are both effective treatments. But,

although natural and relatively safe, these white powdery substances work by dehydration, and are respiratory irritants. 

It's best to wear a dust mask when working with these products. The powder is applied to carpets, upholstered furniture, pet bedding, closets, and mattresses. Vehicles may also be treated. The next day, the visible powder must be vacuumed off, but enough fine powder should remain to keep working after vacuuming. However, if the treated area becomes damp (from shampooing carpets, steam-cleaning, or mopping), the powder shall be re-applied as soon as the area is completely dry.

Fleas love carpets and crevices, and vacuuming their favorite hiding places every few days goes a long way toward keeping a home flea-free. As soon as vacuuming is finished, the contents of the vacuum cleaner must be properly disposed outside the house, so the fleas don't reemerge!  Some pet owners apply flea-repellent essential oil treatments around the house, but if there are cats living in the home, starting with a mild solution and observing the cat for lethargy or confusion is the way to go. Some cats have sensitivities to strong essential oils.

Some repellent oils are a component of cedar and eucalyptus trees, and adding their shavings or greenery to a pet's bedding can help with natural flea control - with the added benefit of freshening the aromas of the pets!

In the Yard

Just as cedar or eucalyptus can help inside the home, using eucalyptus or cedar mulch outside is also effective for making the yard less attractive to fleas. Treating the lawn with beneficial nematodes that feast on flea larvae is another technique worth the try. Since fleas don't typically stay in direct sunlight, only the shaded areas of the yard may need to be treated.

Alice Abler points out the keeping the pet, the home, and the yard free from flea infestations does not have to involve using harmful chemicals. Natural flea control may take more time and effort than dousing your pet with pesticides, but it is comparatively safer, and make for a more healthful environment for you and your pets.

Pets are worth the effort of regular care and checks. Family pets are part of the family. And so they deserve to be treated as such.