5 Solutions for Natural Flea Control

With a scratch, scratch here and a scratch, scratch there… Warm weather is returning and with it come the fleas. Those nasty little buggers could drive a dog to drink but pumping their blood full of prescription medication (aka harsh chemicals) or using harsh soaps and sprays hardly seems like a pet lover’s answer. Below are some all-natural solutions that will have your dog itch-free in no time.

1. Rosemary Flea Dip
Steep two cups of fresh rosemary in boiling water for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid, discard the leaves and add up to a gallon of warm water depending on the size of your dog. Wait until it cools but is still warm and pour over your dog until he’s soaked. Allow your dog to dry naturally. Works especially well on hot summer days.

2. Lavender Essential Oil
Wash your dog thoroughly and towel dry. Apply a few drops of lavender essential oil to the base of the tail and another at the neck.

3. Brewer’s Yeast
Add a small Brewer’s yeast tablets to your dog’s food. Much like prescription meds (but much healthier), this is excreted through Fido’s skin making him less attractive to fleas. Check with your veterinarian for the proper dosages depending on weight.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar
A spoonful of this stuff added to your dog’s water makes their skin more acidic and not-at-all tasty to fleas. If apple cider vinegar is not your dog’s cup of tea, you can dilute it 50/50 with water, pour into a spray bottle and use as a repellent.

5. Lemon Spray Repellent
Cut a lemon into quarters, cover with boiling water and let it steep overnight. In the morning, spray all over your dog, especially behind the ears and around the head generally (be careful of his eyes), around the base of the tail, and under your dog’s legs.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Lady A.

6:20PM PDT on Jun 18, 2013

Good info!

---------------------------------------------
Jesus is God :D

June 18
send a green star

Winn A.

7:14AM PDT on Jun 18, 2013

Thanks

Tom M.

1:38PM PDT on Jun 17, 2013

I don't know about the others but the Apple Cider Vinegar in the drinking water does not work for fleas. My dogs have been drinking ACV in their water for over a year and it does nothing to repel fleas.

I've tried ACV and white vinegar in different flea spray recipes and still have found none that work.

June 17
send a green star

Lauren G.

9:11PM PST on Feb 20, 2013

how often would you need to do this? and would it replace something like advantage?

February 20
send a green star

Wendye K.

5:32PM PST on Feb 13, 2013

Thanks for the article. I wouldn't use any of this on my cat but I think it's great if you've got a dog. God bless ALL animals! xo xo xo xo xo xo

February 13
send a green star

Web W.

1:54AM PST on Jan 28, 2013

Great article thanks for sharing it, I'm very interested in the health benefits of ACV (Apple cider vinegar) here is a link to a great blog i found last week win tons of information and videos on the subject. Hope you find it useful Apple Cider Vinegar Blog Nice one guys take care :)