DISH SOAP AND LAMP METHOD

[YEA]  11/09/2007: G from Buffalo, NY writes: "Please Post. After having my house INVADED with fleas...I used the flea bombs, shampooed my rugs, threw any thing I could in the dryer (rugs, bedding, clothes that the kids had left on the floor, etc.) on high heat. The dogs and cats were dosed with the flea medicine that is put on their necks that I bought on line (also available at the vets, but you don't have to take your animal in to have them checked first and only takes about 2 days to receive in the mail..costs the same)..I could tell that the fleas literally fell off on my cat! I sprayed the rugs with a spray (more than once, but supposed to last for 6 mos.) that I bought at the pet store. I also went to the dollar store and bought nightlights to fit into any socket I could get to in all the rooms infested. Under the nightlights, I placed WHITE bowls of water with just a few drops of dish soap (mix it around, doesn't matter what kind/color). The soap covers the fleas and makes them sink to the bottom of the bowl. The light colored bowl allows more light to be absorbed, attracting the fleas. Even after everything I had done previously, I was still finding fleas in the bowls (a couple every day or so.) for a few weeks. But, I believe that keeping my pets on the 3 monthly dosage of the flea medication is what finally ridded our house (but, remember, my house was infested) because it kills the fleas on bite, no time to lay eggs. If I found a flea on me, or one of my animals, I would just get a small glass of water, add a few drops of dish soap, place my fingers under the water and release the flea...it sinks...it can't breath, and dies. (works for ticks also.)

[YEA]  10/13/2007: Brenda from Princeton, Kentucky writes: "Dawn Dish Soap in water helped my son to get rid of some fleas in his home. I came across your website to see if I could find something to help his flea problem. I told him about the use of a low bowl with water and dawn dish soap placed in the corner of a room with a desk lamp turned on at night. He tried it except he used a nightlite. The next morning, a lot of fleas were floating in the water. He is having better success with this method than any other he has tried. Thank you very much for your website."

[YEA]  10/26/2006: Nicci from Midland, MI writes: "This is a remedy my grandmother used. It is safe for the pets, and easy to do. Just take a little dish saucer (one that sits low to the ground), fill it with water and add two drops of dawn dish soap. Place it on the ground in the corner of a room along with a desk lamp. Turn the lamp on and let it sit. The water may need to be changed every couple of days. This remedy works well especially at night because the fleas are attracted to the heat of the lamp, so they jump in the water and the soap weighs them down and the drown. Very effective on minimal flea problems."

DISH SOAP, GARLIC AND LEMON

DISH SOAP, LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL

DON'S FLEA REMEDIES

ESSENTIAL OILS

[YEA]  12/06/2008: Laura from Cambridge, Ontario, Canada writes: "Skin Allergy Remedies for Pets
Lavender Essential Oil Spray.

This works so well my dogs actually ask for it! I just use about a 1/2 oz of pure lavender essential oil in a spray bottle filled the rest of the way up with water. In the summer, my bichon and lab both get 'hot spots' on their paws and seem to become a little obsessive about chewing on them, especially at night. When it gets to be too much they will walk over to my night table and whine until I open it and give them a squirt or 2 of this mixture and they calm down, stop itching and go to sleep. Lavender is a natural bug repellant too, and is also great as an antihistamine. There have even been times when my lab will go get the bottle and bring it to me... can you believe it!"

[YEA]  08/08/2008: Amanda from Trenton, Ontario writes: "I was reading your site as my cats were going crazy. I didn't have any of the things you recommend to hand. but after reading your shampoo advice, I realized I did have some lavender essential oil so I tried that and a few drops rubbed into their coat did bring immediate relief."

[WARNING!]  07/08/2008: Nancy from Long Beach, CA writes: "I was referred to your site by someone in the discussion of flea treatment, specifically cats.

The information you provide re: garlic and lavendar, rosemary, etc., is in direct contradiction with my knowledge and what was posted on other websites. My understanding is garlic and essential oils such as lavendar and rosemary are toxic to cats. I've included an excerpt from one site for your info.

"http://eartheasy.com/article_natural_flea_control.htm

Cats should not be given any essential oils, period.
The use of essential oils with cats is a potentially volatile combination. Cats do not efficiently metabolize essential oils and their use can lead to symptoms of toxicity. In addition to essential oils, cats have known metabolic sensitivities to certain herbal preparations and allopathic
medications. Because the cat's body does not efficiently excrete essential oils, they can build up to toxic levels. Symptoms of toxicity include vomiting, dizziness, clumsiness, lack of appetite, lack of energy and shock. In addition, cats have very thin, delicate skin. Essential oils are absorbed rapidly into their skin and enter the bloodstream, overwhelming their systems. Cats dislike strong odors and generally keep away from strong scents -- even highly diluted essential oils.

Many people find that they can use essential oils on their cats with no obvious adverse effects. Although one or more applications of an essential oil product or blend may not cause immediate harm, the effects of essential oils can be cumulative and manifest themselves at a later date in the form of toxicity for which owners and vets often can find no attributable cause. (source: www.aromaleigh.com)"

What's your response?

Thanks,
Nancy"

[YEA]  04/15/2007: dmpuppyove from Harrisburg, PA writes: "I am allergic to fleas really bad. I am also in rescue & can have as many as 10 dogs in my house (and on my bed) at a time. So I cannot afford to have fleas as I break out in hives. For 20 years this is what I have been doing. First I use a baby castle soap that I get at the health food store that has either tea tree oil, lavender or eucalyptus in it. Then every week I spray them outside with this- (I put 1 inch of Avon skin so soft bath oil in a quart bottle & fill with water) I have also sprayed my house now & then with a mixture of water & peppermint oil . I never have fleas. I can't afford to- my health will not tolerate it. And this also repels the mosquitoes & ticks."

[YEA]  08/23/2006: Maryanne from Savannah, Georgia writes: "ESSENTIAL OILS, LAVENDER AND EUCALYPTUS, A FEW DROPS OF EITHER ON BEDDING OR THE BATH WATER GIVE GREAT RESULTS. IT CURES FLEAS AS WELL AS BITES OR CUTS AND SCRAPS. THE LAVENDER IS A HEALING AGENT. NOT TO BE GIVEN ORALLY BUT IT WORKS ON MANY PROBLEMS. I DO DOG RESCUE IN MY CITY AND I ALWAYS HAVE MANY IN MY HOUSE. THIS REMEDY IS VERY HELPFUL FOR ME AS I LIVE ON A FIXED INCOME AND ENOUGH TO GO AROUND IS ALWAYS AN ISSUE. IT TAKES VERY LITTLE OF THE OIL (I ESPECILLY LIKE THE LAVENDER BECAUSE IT SMEELS GOOD AND SEEMS TO BE CALMING AS WELL. THANKS FOR YOUR SITE, IT IS VERY HELPFUL TO ME. GOD BLESS "

FLEA BITE REMEDIES

[YEA]  05/15/2009: Fran from Eastland, Texas, USA writes: "I am new to these itchy horrible things. While I am cleaning up my environment I tried something that I remembered cleaned the smell of skunk off of my dog and left her so clean.

[QUESTION]  03/05/2009: Kathy from Chicago, IL. USA writes: "have a question and didnt know how to ask. my house was infested with fleas. i got many bites on my legs. everywhere i was bitten is now a brown mark. flat not like scar tissue. is there any way to get rid of the marks or does anyone know why they would turn brown. my legs look horrible. just discovered your site. its awesome. started the oil pulling. all i had was olive oil and i have noticed no difference. will try with sesame oil when i go to store. for those having reactions to coconut oil you may be allergic so try a different oil. thanks for any help"

FLEA COMBS

FLEA IN DOG'S EAR

09/27/2009: Robin from Toledo, Ohio, United States writes: "There is a flea in my little dog's ear. After I put her "monthly flea medicine" on her two days ago, I am POSITIVE a flea went up and crawled in her one ear. (no smell, started 15 mins. after I applied the flea meds to her back nape of the neck).

I have tried a dropper full Vitamin E oil with no luck. I did not have any baby oil or olive oil to drop in it like I had read on several home remedy sites or I would try that.. I have tried I light mixture of a drop or two of peroxide and water, I have tried wiping it with a cotton ball, exploring a gentle look with a Q-tip and a flashlight and I have tried a few drops of vinegar & water like I read at a self-help pet site for ear mites(that was yesterday).

FLEA MEDICATION SIDE EFFECTS

05/16/2009: Sheri from Wylie, Tx writes: "I just want to warn those of you that still use the veterinary obtained or medicinal (internal, spray, or spot drop) flea / tick repellents: I recently read about someone, that really touched my heart with his story of killing his dog by using such items on it. These products can cause cancer to your pet. It is a chemical, it is toxic to the fleas and you are putting it on your beloved pet and using your pet like a flea magnet so when the they get bit the flea dies, think about what is running through your pet's body, veins, bloodstream and organs that is so potent to kill fleas and the eggs. I used them for years and never had any animal die with cancer but I will tell you what he said makes sense; animals are a magnet for fleas, so by pumping their bodies full of toxins / chemicals that kill fleas if they bite them, what are we doing to our pets, and what does this say about us as a human race. I am in no way judging anyone...just wanted to share!"

[WARNING!]  04/22/2008: Bev writes: "Hi, My dog when she was 2, ( a golden retriever/lab mix) was started on Program the one with flea control and heartwomer. She developed ITP. A autoimmune problem with her platlets. She had to be put on predisone because her platlets were so low. She had a bone marrow biopsy, an ultrasound and many blood tests. She is finally went into remission and has been very good for many years. So I know that it was not her but the medication. If it was her it would have stayed not gotten better when she was taken off of it. I know other dogs have actually died because of this drug. they went into the same autoimmune except it attacked the red blood cells instead and the dogs died. Just thought you should add this to your problem meds. thanks Bev B."

FREEZING THE BEDDING

GARLIC

10/06/2009: Db from San Francisco, Ca writes: "Hi, I came across your site while searching for safe & natural flea bath options for our cats. I noticed your garlic food supplement suggestion and thought it would be good to pass this info along to you and your readers:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/garlic.html

The suggestion of garlic on the dog's food jumped out at me because our boy cat loves to nibble on house plants and we've had to spend some time learning about what plants are toxic to cats; Bulbs and many other plant parts from members of the Lily family (of which garlic is a member) are especially bad for cats. -I did not know that garlic was also toxic to dogs but apparently it is as well (I do know that cats don't have some of the toxin processing apparatus that other mammals have, so they tend to have the broadest risk of plant poisoning.)

Thanks! "

06/23/2009: Daphne from Myrtle Beach , SC writes: "I contacted our vet, and was told Garlic was not good for pets, so we never tried it, but I will be trying the ACV in a spray and drinking water."

[WARNING!]  12/30/2008: Ann Marie from Indianapolis, Indiana USA writes: "Garlic (& other onion-like plants) are REALLY NOT that good for cats. It adversely affects their blood cells."

[YEA]  11/30/2008: Janice from Bodmin, Cornwall, UK writes: "my gran used to breed dogs for crufts many years ago, she told me she never brought flea or worm products but used cloves of garlic chopped up and put with the dog food once a month,i was dubious about this old wives tale, but there is always an element of truth in the old tales, ive tried garlic on my four dogs, ages ranging fom 16 down to 5 months, they are all healthy, havent seen no fleas or worms, im a believer."