Natural Flea repellent?

[ACooper]

I am always on the look out for natural remedies. I prefer to keep "poisons" down to a minimum where my dogs and kids are concerned

We don't have a flea issue, never have. I don't use any of the flea meds like Frontline, Advantix, or anything like that. I add fresh minced garlic in the dogs home cooked food and that normally is enough to repel fleas most of the time. But with summer coming there is always a bigger opportunity to bring them home.

Anyone ever hear of this or try it?

Steep eucalyptus, rosemary, pennyroyal, garlic,
or bayberry in water. Spray on pets. This isn't
100% effective, but it may help keep fleas off
pets. People can transport fleas from the yard
into the house on clothing. Using this spray
on clothing may help repel fleas when working
or playing in the yard. Helps repel mosquitoes
too.

Or perhaps you have one of your own you would like to share??

 

[Suzzie]

i don't give my dogs garlic since there is quite a debate about how healthy it is for them, but garlic does work well when i eat it!

i've used citrus oil shampoos with success, and I found a wonderful holistic store that had everything from natural shampoos to flea collars, which I will be purchasing this year. The link is on the other computer, but if I remember I will go get it. I remember that they used quite a variety of natural insecticides.

I know that sargeant's natural flea drops (i forget the exact name) has cinnamon oil in it which will burn your dog's skin.

 

[Linds]

Using a lemon rinse will help the skin and help repelling the fleas.

To do that take a whole lemon and slice it, then drop it into a pint of very very hot water. Let that sit and steep during the night. After you remove the pulp in the morning careful rub the lemon juice over the skin either with a rag or a sponge. Other natural herbs that help to repel fleas are Pennyroyal, citronella, rosemary and wormwood.

Now for the "bomb"

The pesticide I highly recommend is Diatomaceous Earth. This is a type of fosalized algae-like plants called diatoms. Which will in the end break through the fleas exoskeleton and lead to the fleas dehydrating and dieing.

This is all natural and the safest way to go.

Sprinkle a little of Diatomaceous Earth or powdered Pyrethrum into the bedding, carpets, seating etc. using a broom work it into the carpets. You can find these as most garden stores or herb stores.

Hope this helped a bit!

 

[SizzleDog]

We never have flea problems... but ticks... ticks are the kickers.

Do any of the repellents mentioned above also work against ticks?

 

[ACooper]

What I can find says these things can help *some* but ticks are harder to discourage

I read something awhile back about Rose Geranium oil or something similar.

 

[AlphaDobe]

I have heard of Apple Cider Vinegar being added to the dogs water and that is supposed to keep fleas and ticks away. Supposed to be good for their coat too.

 

[Suzzie]

http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Doc-Ackermans-Botanical-Citronella-Shampoo/153019.aspx
that's the shampoo i'm going to buy

http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Castor-Pollux-Herbal-Flea-Collar/133146.aspx
and that's the flea collar

sorry it took me so long to post!

 

[Premier]

I highly recommend this store that I go to in NYC. They are a holistic pet supply store. Check it out http://1800whiskers.com

 

[Ruby M]

I also recommend diotomacious earth but I mainly keep it outside rather than inside. There´s something about microscopic jagged edges that would really freak me out if I kept thinking they were in my carpet ...

 

[mrandrei]

Orange peels and grapefruit peels are really effective!

 

[Buddy'sParents]

^^ Except on or around cats.