http://www.care2.com/greenliving/flea-free.html
Flea Free for You and Me
By Annie B. Bond, Care2 Green Living Executive Producer
Citrus peel extract is an excellent choice against fleas for dogs, because its components, limonene and linalool, kill all stages of the flea’s life cycle. I have completely eradicated our home and dogs of fleas using citrus peel extract. I don’t think anything else works as well. Still, you must use caution: While it is a natural material, and much safer for health and the environment than toxic synthetic pesticides, it is not without problems, especially for asthmatics (see “Hints,” below). Citrus shouldn’t be used around cats.
For Fleas from and on Dogs
Assuming you don’t own a cat, and you keep your windows open when using citrus peel extract products, get rid of fleas in your house by washing floors twice a week with a solution of 1/4 cup citrus peel extract (available in health food stores; citra solve is one brand) in 1 to 2 gallons of water. Spray bedding with a mixture of 2 teaspoons citrus peel extract and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle.
To make a fur rub for the dog, cut up 4 lemons, and simmer for one hour in 1 quart of water, adding more water as it evaporates. Cool the mixture, strain, and massage into the dog’s coat. Note that there are a number of pure citrus-peel-based pet products on the market (see Shop for Supplies, below).
For Cats and Dogs
Herbal repellents work well to repel fleas. Make an herbal infusion by adding a handful of dried herbs (available in most health food stores) to a tea pot and fill with boiling water. Let the “tea” set overnight, and then strain it into a spray bottle. Recommended herbs include southernwood, rue, rosemary, sage, catmint, eucalyptus, and leaves from the black walnut tree. Start with just a small amount to make sure the pet can tolerate the herb.
Boric acid and borax are also widely used against fleas. Sprinkle a thin powder or boric acid or borax on carpets, leave on for a few days, and then vacuum up.
Other Flea Controls
- Feed your dogs (but not cats) garlic and yeast.
- Wash your pets frequently.
- Use a flea comb.
- Make your own flea shampoo.
- Use a natural flea collar.
Go to the Source
Better Basics for the Home : Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living by Annie Berthold-Bond
Natural living has reached the mainstream: we are now far more concerned about the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the chemicals that surround us, and recognize that government regulations all too often fall short of safeguarding our health. Enter Annie Berthold-Bond, whose Better Basics for the Home is a compendium of practical information -- recipes, tips, and guidelines -- for creating a simpler, cheaper and environmentally safer lifestyle.buy now
The Complete Book of Flea Control for You, Your Pet, and Your Home by Ted Kuepper
This 78 page book presents information on controlling fleas using techniques that do not require insecticides, as well as descriptions of insecticidal products and their proper use to maximize effectiveness and minimize contact. The book makes it clear when to use a particular type of product and why. buy now
Common-Sense Pest Control by William Olkowski, Sheila Daar, Helga Olkowski (Contributor)
From ridding your apartment of cockroaches to dealing with the regional deforestation threats of Gypsy Moths, this is the authoritative book on how to control pests by using the natural mechanisms of control that have kept our planet from being savaged, prior to our human disruptions. buy nowrelated stories
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36 comments
add your comment »I read this with interest but was a little disappointed that once again commercial products are being touted. Aren't you a green advisor Annie? It is good you gave some advice on how to make a spray for dogs but I would have loved it if you went a bit further and told us how to make our own Citrus peel extract. Do we use the whole lemon as for dogs or do we use the whole skin or just the zest?
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i have been flea free for quite sometimeby planting things like perilla bergamont all the mints artemesia and cedar as decorative plants around the perimeter of my yard with mums and marigolds mixed in for color repels the bugs also garlic can kill dogs and does build up in their systems if fed it regularly also toxic to dogs is onion and chocolate. garlic is like the saying feed the pup a penny if hes wormy not true and could kill your dog. paula
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Once again, I have to mention that Borax was banned in the UK over 40 years ago because it is toxic, particularly to children. The idea of sprinkling Borax on a floor is, in light of this, insane. The citrus...even real pine essential oil...will repel fleas. Forget Borax.
Shellie
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NOt everyone agrees that dogs are meant to eat only meat. In fact, I have a guru who says meat is harmful to animals as well as us and is not good for their spiritual selves as well.
I don't believe that grains are horrible foods at all. I have enjoyed grains for years and am in excellent health. Grains are a gift from God...provide excellent carbohydrates. I guess the difference is healthy vs. unhealthy grains.
Dogs are scavengers. They can and eat everything. There ARE dogs who are veg and are HEALTHY. I do not believe an all meat diet for dogs is healthy at all. Dogs get heart disease and cancer just like we do...and even if we did feed them an all meat diet, who can afford the perfect organic meats,t he only meats that would be suitable? No one I know. It's not practical.
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Passed on from my Grandmother and has been working like a charm for decades - BREWER's YEAST (you can find it in any health store/co-op/ GNC). My cats especially like the flaked (rather than the straight powder), 1/4-1/2 tsp. on their soft food every other night. One of my cats took right to it, the other turned her nose up at first but we introduced it to her slowly and now she won't eat her soft food unless we've sprinkled on the brewers yeast! Their coats look great and since we've switched from chemical flea repellents to brewers yeast, we haven't seen a single flea, not even once. Plus, the cats are happier - they hated the chemical stuff (I don't blame them). AND it's much less expensive than the chemical treatments.
I think the comment about not giving cats yeast is about regular yeast. Brewers yeast is different, I think.
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My cats eat brewer's yeast with every meal and have beautiful fur and good health. I'm not sure why you say not to give cats yeast. This was recommended to me by a vet over 30 years ago. My first two cats lived to be 16 and 21 respectively. My two current kitties are youngsters.
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To help rid your yard of fleas, find a nursery that sells benaficial nematodes. You mix these in a gallon of water and then spray your lawn. They are fairly inexpensive and they are non-toxic. Beneficial Nematodes also help control fire ants. 1 packet will treat 2,000 sq ft of lawn. It is recommended to use them 3-4 times a year.
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To help rid your yard of fleas, find a nursery that sells benaficial nematodes. You mix these in a gallon of water and then spray your lawn. They are fairly inexpensive and they are non-toxic. Beneficial Nematodes also help control fire ants. 1 packet will treat 2,000 sq ft of lawn. It is recommended to use them 3-4 times a year.
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To help rid your yard of fleas, find a nursery that sells benaficial nematodes. You mix these in a gallon of water and then spray your lawn. They are fairly inexpensive and they are non-toxic. Beneficial Nematodes also help control fire ants. 1 packet will treat 2,000 sq ft of lawn. It is recommended to use them 3-4 times a year.
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I just buy those flee collars.
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