Saturday, October 31, 2009

Getting Rid of Fleas And Ticks The Natural Way

By Catherine V. Testaratti

There are many people I have spoken to are looking for a more natural way of handling flea problems with their pets. There are natural methods available that we will talk about in this article. Throw away all those environmentally unfriendly choices and use our solutions with confidence for the safety of your pet.

For those of us who have children, we are also concerned about our children being susceptible to the dangers of the chemical flea control. When we choose to have the pets, we also need to be responsible for their welfare. Choosing a natural treatment method is healthier for your pet and your family.

You can start with an age old method of brewers yeast and a little bit of garlic mixed into their food. For cats, eliminate the garlic due to the fact that onions and garlic are toxic for cats. For a sweeter option, try squeezing lemon juice or orange juice on their fur and rub it in; acting as a natural repellent.

When you give your dog a bath, notice that the fleas will fall off? Using liquid dish soap with a citrus base and a regular brushing will keep the flea problem under control. Fleas do not take hold of the hair shaft so these solutions are relatively easy.

If your home has carpeted flooring, then it's best to remember that you must vacuum regularly. There is a worm called a beneficial nematode, which is different than the worms that cause heart worms, and they feed off the larva of fleas. These can be put in your yard to control fleas outside.

Well, we are going to get silly on you now. Ticks, the dreaded blood suckers, live in tall grass in wooded areas and are attracted to the body warmth. A good way to keep this pesky nuisance at bay is to cover your dog. Grab an old T-shirt and some old socks and give your dog protection.

While this will not completely protect your dog, it's a preventative measure that surely can't hurt. As we mentioned earlier, the ticks have nothing to latch onto so something is better than nothing. And just think of the looks you will get when you are taking your precious pooch out for his daily exercise.

A natural tick repellent is rose geranium oil. Rub some on the inside of your dog's collar and on their coat to ward off those pesky critters. Not recommended for cats because cats will have a severe reaction to these essential oils.

Remember that when you remove a tick you must do it properly, by getting the head of the tick from the pet. Summer time is the worst time for ticks and fleas so be proactive in prevention. Treatment of your yard, regular brushing and simple remedies and you should be pest free for summer.

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