Effective Natural Remedies for Flea Control in Pets
The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Posted by Cathy (Lakeside, Ca) on 02/19/2015 ★★★★★
For dogs with any nervous or stress related condition, including fleas, rub one drop lavender on pads of each foot or rub a drop on ears. They calm down, stop licking and scratching.. And sleep. (Do not use cheap scented perfume oils, these are toxic! Only good quality essential oils.) Some oils actually repel fleas and ticks. Don't use too much, they are potent and dogs don't like strong odors.
I treated a flea infestation using diatomaceous earth. I sprinkled all it liberally over the cats regularly (once a day), and used a fine sieve and sprinkled it all over my floors - carpeted and wooden and tiles - and left it to sit for a week. I vacuumed it up and then treated it again to be certain. It cleared up a really bad flea infestation really well.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
It sounds like the fleas in your area have developed a resistance to Trifexis; since the product is not working on the fleas, you might want to discontinue using it on your pets.
There are many all natural products on the market for flea control for large areas; consider cedar granules, or sprays made from cinnamon oil, cedar oil or clove oil. These sprays and cedar granules are very effective but need to be regularly re-applied. I would also consider predatory nematodes/beneficial nematodes. I don't know if these products fit into your budget, but you can also make up these sprays yourself if you google for instructions. Diatomaceous earth is very affordable IMHO but I would not use diatomaceous earth in the outdoors myself because it could potentially impact and kill off the good bugs like honey bees.
Do a google search for: "all natural Flea Free"; cedarcide; beneficial nematode; homemade natural flea spray; etc. - and you will find many products and helpful information to control fleas in your yard.
No need to use essential oils on pets, no need to risk it. Flowers of Sulphur is an excellent ancient remedy which is very cheap and easy to use. It is actually very healing for the skin, never harmful, just the opposite (good for so many ailments, worth googling).
Sprinkle it with a flour sprinkler on floors, bedding, pets, repeat as necessary.
We had a very warm spring/ summer in UK this year and I had fleas first time ever on my house cats and it quickly turned into a huge house infestation! However, FOS seemed to have worked immediately, eased the itch as well. I happened to have FOS at home as my husband uses it for his psoriasis.
I hope it helps, I was devastated when I realised the scale of infestation but after a thorough vacuuming (vacuum some FOS to kill the ones in the bag) and sprinkling all seems to be fine now.
I also put a piece of amethyst in their water bowl as I like the sound of it :)
The vets prescribe very dangerous chemicals, which are proven to contribute to feline cancer.
My dog was treated for a bad flea allergy with a shot of steroids to help reduce the itchiness. She had a heartworm test, and the vet suggested putting her on Trefexis because it kills fleas (Frontline had become less effective) and because the coyotes are a vector for heartworms which they picked up after rescue dogs from the South (with heartworms) came to SoCal after Katrina.
The alternative -- to not give her the Trefexis -- seemed a bad choice after her terrible flea allergy and her suffering. So ate the Trefexis and did not throw up (I gave it with a good meal), and I've been giving her the step-down dose of steroids every day as directed.
Within 24 hours, I noticed small wet spots on the carpet. They are showing up where the dog has been sitting or lying down for awhile, so I don't think she is actually intentionally urinating; I have never seen her squat in the house and she's a well-behaved, house-broken dog. So I'm sure she's a bit incontinent.
I assumed it was the Trefexis, because I've given other dogs steroids in the past, and never had incontinence show up as an issue.
I've seen posts by other owners, and several people reported incontinence as a side effect of Trefexis. I don't remember seeing that as one of the potential side effects when I read the pamphlet before agreeing to give Trefexis, but having been in human drug trails myself, I KNOW that not all the side effects that participants report get listed on the package and label.
Posted by Mary (Costa Mesa, California) on 05/06/2014 ★★★★★
I have successfully treated my home for fleas but every time we went out in neighborhood, new flees to comb out. I put amethyst in water dish, first 1-2 months no change. After 3 mo. No new fleas, skeptical, since winter is low flea time anyway. Now warm flea weather is here & still no new fleas. When I use flea comb also NONE on her at bath time. Fantastic results, just took time for her VIBRATIONS to match the amethyst. We will see as summers flea season builds but normally by now, 80 degree weather, we would have a problem. Love nature.
I started using food grade de a few days ago and I was wondering how long it take to first see results? It's only been down 5 days so far and it seems like the fleas are only getting bigger, so I don't know what to do.
Posted by Sue (Coos Bay, Oregon) on 06/11/2013 ★★★★★
I too was skeptical about amethyst, but thought if I could pick one up on ebay for under 2 bucks, what could it hurt? I have an enameled bowl, probably over metal, I put it in. I won a cheap bid for a beaded necklace, though I bid on several different amethyst pieces... Natural rock, rings, beads... I was pretty amazed that for the last 6 months now, I have not seen one flea... For all the "know it alls" who claim they have a bridge in Arizona for sale, hahaha, you can keep it along with your closed mind!! Or those who say it can't work, you are wrong... I don't believe in fairy tales, or magic or much of anything, but this worked, I don't know how or why, it just worked and my cat is flea free!!
I just got a Kitten and I might not be able to keep her because the fleas are so bad. My friend tried the amethyst stone but it didn't work, I was thinking it might be because she bought it in the wrong stage. What stage did you get yours in?? I really wanna keep her so if you could get back to me asap or email me that would be great. Thank you.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
I spoke with a witchy healer I know and she said the same; recharge the stones. It may be that the cases where the stones did not work at all simply needed to be charged before use!
I would dilute the vinegar, 1/ cup in a gallon of water for the final rinse.I noticed when my dog got sprayed by a skunk I had to do that else she was sneezing and it was too strong doing it straight on a rag..not near the face..
Posted by Sheila (Salt Lake City, Utah) on 01/30/2013 ★★★★★
OMG, I cant believe it, it works!!! All I did was dab a dropperful (twice in once week) around her ears, in betweem her shoulderblades and behind her neck, and shes relaxed, calm mellow, happy and not scratching, I cant believe!!!
Every year my Dog has a horrible time with fleas (Large shepherd), to where she doesnt sleep thru the nite and she licks the hair off her hindquarters, and shes bald and scabbing. Awful.
I had been using finely powdered brewers yeast sprinkled in her dry food (like cinnamon toast, twin labs brand) for a few years and it worked like a charm, but it seemed to stop working.
I did some research online herd rave reviews, except one lady claimed Neem oil killed her dog, as the dog had licked it off its fur, and went into convulsions and died. So I was sure to place the oil where she couldnt lick it off, I was nervous, but desperate, and Ive used Neem oil on myself over the years with great results (yeast infections, etc, lol! Healing skin rashes, ear mites for the cat, and ear infections on my 5 year old)
I was very skeptical, but First I gave her a bath, and rubbed a small amount thruout her fur when she was dry. Then dabbed a dropperful or two in proper areas. She seemed better, then a couple days later, I did it again.
Shes great now, cant believe. Shes not scartching at all.
Posted by Bonart (Ravenna, Ohio, Us) on 11/24/2012 ★★★★★
I have a Golden Retriever that was itching all over, I checked for fleas didn't see one. Vet found some droppings around her tail said to give her a flea bath and an antihistamine for her flea allergy.
That worked for a day or so----then found some research on Oil Soap for fleas---same one for furniture--and a lot of successful reviews--so I bought some and diluted 1/4 cup with 3 cups warm water--rubbed it in real good all over--rinsed her off-her coat was soft smelled clean-
she itched for an hour or so------then no scratching at all, and her belly had been red-now just pink--it worked. She's sleeping better and all night. What a cheap fix---then read cedarwood oil with a carrier oil kills fleas-----use that as a spray and this is 2 weeks now---no problems. I see a lot of Vets recommend the Oil Soap, wonder why my Vet never heard of it. It doesn't say anything on the bottle, just for furniture. So check it out on the internet. Molly had a great flea free thanksgiving and no more antihistamines-Bonnie
Baking soda worked this year too! And it didn't bother my allergy prone dog. Not one flea! I check every time I brush. And there are a lot of dogs and cats around here!
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
Posted by Earthystuff (Nicholson, Ga, United States) on 05/17/2012 ★★★★★
I met an old indian lady many years back that had great advice for fleas and it has worked very well for me and is non toxic.
Simple salt on carpet dries them out. Leave on carpet for a few days and then vacumn. Just a sprinkle dont go crazy. She also said mothballs in the vacumn bag will kill if not already dead. This works. However since then I have read that breathing mothballs is not good so reasearch a little more. I only use 1-2 mothballs cause the vacumn does put that scent out.
I have a mild flea infestation and I want to lay salt on my carpet. I live in a large home and can not lay it down for a few days then vacuum then lay it down again, it would just be too much for me as I work 12hrs a day. I know salt attracts moisture so I was wondering if anyone knew how long I could leave it on my carpet before it starts getting wet.
Posted by Diana (Morristown, Tennessee) on 02/19/2012 ★★★★★
An amethyst stone put in your pets drinking water will totally eliminate FLEAS! Just drop a stone in the water and no more need for expensive treatments. I don't know why or how it works--it just does. I have used this method for two years and have not seen a single flea. My daughter was using expensive treatments once a month and still having an infestation of fleas, and she was even having to use an exterminator once a month.
She tried the amethyst stone and for a year now she is flea free!!
Posted by Margie (Coppell, Tx) on 12/28/2011 ★★★★★
Just wanted to add beneficial nematodes to the flea arsenal (maybe it's already here somewhere). Several years ago, the big name flea treatment applied to the back of the pets neck just stopped working for us. We got infested. We used borax & DE in the house (too much carpet), but outside we used nematodes. I purchased a bulk supply with 3 types of nematodes and have continued putting them out every spring. These fabulous parasitic worms also kill June bugs, termites, fire ants and other creatures that spend at least part of their life cycle in the earth. Here in zone 7, I spray them 3 times @ 5 day intervals in early April.
Posted by Hiaama (Miamisburg, Oh, Usa) on 11/27/2011 ★★★★★
I too have had the experience of living with itchy dogs. 10 pound Chorkie suffered all night and day. She is one of what began as six dogs so flea prevention is crucial. Our family is now down to 3 dogs due to old dogs going over the rainbow :-) THE Chorkie and our two Blue Heelers/Healers.
Here is our story: flea treatment from a vet, 150.00 per month. Grocery store dog crunchies, 20.00 per month, chorkie illness, 210.00 per one time only. then it occured to me to come here as I do for my own health and well being.
After reading all the information here I realized that while fleas are no day at the dog park it was not my Twinkie's trouble nor was the alleged flea allergy that cost $210.00. She received advantix and a 6 month cortisone/steroid shot along with a pat on the head and well wishes. Advantix left a huge lesion on her shoulder for more than 2 months.
To spare my readers of a long and emotionally driven story I will now get to the point. I changed the diet stopped the chemicals and got over my fear of over bathing my dogs
My dogs get homemade dog food that changes every week. A scant splash of ACV, Oatmeal, salmon fresh parsley fresh, canned pumpkin, garlic and coconut oil, one week, brown rice farm fresh organic free range eggs parsley garlic coconut oil the next. Turkey black beans and rice you get the picture. It cost no more than 5 dollars a week for me to cook it up while I prepare our family meal. The two heelers also get a couple fish oil capsules, Twinkie will not eat it under any circumstances.
They get a bath once a week with baking soda, anti fungal dog shampoo and a nice rinse of ACV. A drop of lavender oil on each neck every night. We have seen a huge improvment in the scratching. The heelers smell so much more like dogs and the ears are getting much better. Everyone'c coats are soft and silky and we are all sleeping much better. Healing is a process just as the illness is. Stick with it and trust in our mother earth to provide all we need for health and wellness.
Posted by Ellie (Stga Sps, Ny) on 11/13/2012 ★★★★★
I have to agree with Angie, Waverly, Oh. She recommended using cedar shavings instead of straw in a dog house. I bought catlitter cedar shavings and also used it to insulate my rosebush with it for winter. Surprisingly the following year for the first time my rosebush didn't have a bug anywhere on it or holes in the leaves as it previously had year after year. It is sold as catlitter and may be great to retard fleas and other critters too. Ellie
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
Hey Mark! Check it out: Https://www.sojos.com/learn/articles/pet-mythbusters-5-pet-food-myths Http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1677&aid=2414 I have used powdered garlic in home made food for my dogs with no ill effects. While garlic may be toxic to dogs in large quantities, the health benefits of garlic in small quantities is widely proven. Http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.com/2012/06/garlic-for-dogs-health-benefits.html
Many to most of the health issue in our pets today are due to over vaccinating. Check for information on Dr. Ronald Schultz. He the leading expert on animal immunology world wide. Is currently in Wisconsin. His and others studies have proven that annual vaccinations are not just unnecessary, but very harmful. One DHPP (dogs) or FVRCP (cats) at or after 16 weeks of age immunizes them probably for life. Challenge studies have proven immunity for at least 9 years and titer studies 15 years. Most of the other optional vaccinations like bordetella, leptospirosa and such are not needed and also quite harmful.
Louise, sulfur might be most effecive as a dusting agent in your yard. It repels fleas and other insect pests. A light dusting in the yard, once every three months, should be effective in keeping fleas away. Because sulfur does not disolve in water it will take quite a while for this to wash away in rain or during watering. You can add it to your pets food in the form of chicken egg, either raw or cooked. Eggs contain beneficial amounts of sulfur. Meat and dairy also contain beneficial amounts of sulfur. Three foods that dogs and cats seem to love by the way. Cheers, Liam
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