Getting rid of fleas naturally?????

[angie8023]

I was doing research on natural ways to get rid of fleas. I found the following on ehow.com.

Garlic is the simplest method for repelling fleas and takes the least amount of effort. Feed your dog a small clove of garlic a few times a week, perhaps every two days, or three times a week for dogs weighing about 50 pounds. Most dogs will not have a problem snarfing down a clove when offered, but if your pooch is fussy, you can mince it and add it to his food. The garlic will permeate your dogs coat giving him an odor that fleas won’t like. Don’t worry, the odor should not be so strong that it repels you too!


I thought that giving your dog raw garlic was bad? Has anyone done this?

 

[LionWolf]

If it's raw I feed about 1/2 a clove a week. If it's tablets I give 1 every other day and they are 50mg each I think ! I know certain people give more in a week with no effects, but I just give that amount which seems to be fine.

I have heard tho that administering too much garlic can cause anaemia although I have only heard of this through another forum and her dog was ill anyway with other symtoms too.

 

[newfiegirl]

I can't help on the garlic issue, but if you are looking for a natural flea killer try DE...

"Diatomaceous earth (pronounced die-ah-toe-may-shus) is a finely ground fossilized diatom, a one-celled algae with shells. Diatomaceous earth can be found in vast deposits originating from ancient oceans over much of the world. Much of what is solid in this country is mined in the southwestern United States. When this material is finely ground, the microscopically sharp edges of the particles pierce the protective coating of insects so that they dry out in a few hours and die. In addition to its use for eradicating fleas and ticks, it is used by gardeners as a non-toxic dust to control insects on plants, as a natural means of fumigating grains and seeds for long term storage, and to aid intestinal tone and prevent worms in animals when added to a pet’s food on a daily basis. The U.S.D.A. has approved up to 2% by weight of ration as animal feed supplement to control internal parasites, including worms transmitted by fleas. The diatomaceous earth passes harmlessly through the digestive system. Use one teaspoon daily for cats, small dogs, and puppies and 1 tablespoon for dogs over 55 pounds.

The effectiveness of using diatomaceous earth for external parasites is related to the thoroughness of application. 1 cup will deflea a dog. Put it in a salt shaker or similar container and shake it on the animals extremities, and combing it through to get it down to the skin. Be particularly thorough around the ears, between the legs and around the tail. Repeat this process in 7 days and then in another 7 days after that. Since the diatomaceous earth particles can irritate the eyes and the respiratory system, keep the dust of the animal’s eyes, nostrils, and mouth. These precautions are equally important for you. A dust mask may be advisable when working with a large quantity. Refrain from applying diatomaceous earth on windy days.

Never use filter type diatomaceous commonly used in swimming pool maintenance. This type is treated until it no longer resembles the state in which it left the mine. After being air dried, it is treated with soda ash and placed in a kiln. At heats of 2000 degrees, some of the residue is burned off and the primary ingredient, smorphous silica, changes physically and chemically into needles of glass with a tough, ceramic-like coating.

Herbal flea collars help prevent fleas from hopping on for a ride. Unlike dimethydichlorovinyl phosphate (DDVP), a spin-off from nerve gas warfare research that is found in chemical flea collars, herbal flea collars take advantage of the benefits of essential oils. Two types are available – a plastic collar impregnated with herbal oils and a rechargeable cotton variety. Herbal flea collars work best in areas of low infestation. Although not something I recommend, they are available."
http://www.carefreepet.com/natural_flea_control.html

I have never used the stuff, but have heard great things about it on other forums regarding the treatment of fleas.
Might be something you can look into more on your own.

 

[blue]

Move to Alaska, we dont have fleas.

 

[SizzleDog]

My parents have indoor/outdoor cats, so whenever I visit them my dogs always end up bringing home a few fleas. I don't use monthly preventative, because I don't like the idea of dumping chemicals ont heir skin once a month...

So here's the routine. First, I give them a Capstar (which reminds me, I need to buy more...). Second, I bathe them with a cedar shampoo made to kill and repel fleas. I used to use Pure'O'Flee, but I can't find it anymore. It was great stuff, smelled liek dreamsicles and was totally natural. But anyway, now it's cedar shampoo. I dab a VERY small amount of teatree oil behind each ear.

Next, I wash all fabric the dogs came in contact with (including my clothes) in hot water. Kennels get sprayed out with a cedar spray.

And as easy as that, problem is solved - no more fleas! Granted, I dont' have them in the house, and the fleas don't have more than a couple days to get ont he dogs, and the dogs are Capstarred and bathed immediately as they walk in the door. I would probably use diatomaceous earth if I ever had an infestation in my actual home.

 

[LionWolf]

Move to Alaska, we dont have fleas.

Not a very cost effective remedy there ole Blue boy

 

[angie8023]

Thanks for all of the tips you guys. I used the human grade DE and it worked. It turns out that we don't think my dog Sancho is allergic to fleas. We think it's something else. What an ordeal:yikes: