Kill Fleas

As anyone who owns a dog or cat knows, fleas can be a real nuisance, not to count a health hazard for your pet and your home. A flea infestation not only make your pet scratch until he is raw trying to stop the itching, they can jump from pet to pet if you have more than one, and jump from your dog or cat onto the furniture and carpet, and attach a human.

Taking a trip to the grocery store or hardware store, you can see how many different products are on the market to kill fleas, but the trouble is all of them are toxic in one way or another – either to the pet, to others in the household (especially children), or to other living organisms that may co-exist in the house. There are natural ways to rid your pets of these annoying insects without harming them or others in the house. Using a natural cure to rid the home and pet of flea is much healthier than trying to use toxic insecticides that don’t work nearly as well as home remedies.

Home Remedies To Kill Fleas:

Herbal Shampoo:

Instead of using toxic insecticides on your pet, use a good quality herbal pet shampoo that includes flea repellant oils such as eucalyptus, citronella, or pennyroyal among others. Carefully follow the label directions, but a word of caution: do not use these products if your pet is being treated homeopathically because they can act as an antidote. As an alternative, you can purchase a good quality non-medicated pet shampoo and leave a thick lather on your pet for ten to fifteen minutes in order to drown the fleas. Be careful that small puppies or kittens do not become chilled or overheated and do not bathe more than once a week.

Fleas are drawn to the very young or unhealthy pet whose immune system is compromised already. In order to keep your pet free of fleas, make sure he or she has a nutritionally balanced diet and plenty of exercise. Keeping your pet healthy is the first step in preventing fleas and keeping the population under control.

African Daisy Flowers:

In addition to treating the pets in the home, it is important that the home be treated as well, especially in cases of severe infestation. In severe cases, it may be necessary to use an insecticide instead of one of the natural remedies, but stay away from the prescription products that are available from your veterinarian and purchase an over the counter variety like Black Flag or Raid. As a natural remedy for your home, you can use powdered pyrethrum (African daisy) flowers when you dust rugs, floors, and other surfaces. These flowers are fairly safe and are moderately effective in ridding the home of fleas, but they must be used quite often. After vacuuming thoroughly, sprinkle liberal amounts of the powder on the rugs and work it in with a broom. Be sure to concentrate on those areas where your pet spends a great deal of time, After letting it set for at least three days, vacuum the area again, and repeat the process. It is not a good idea to apply these products directly on your pet.