Pesky parasites known as fleas have troubled us all for many years. We all worry about the effects of those nasty chemical treatments available over the counter. Well, worry no more; read on to see our natural and friendly flea and tick treatments.
For those of us who have children, we are also concerned about our children being susceptible to the dangers of the chemical flea control. When we choose to have the pets, we also need to be responsible for their welfare. Choosing a natural treatment method is healthier for your pet and your family.
You can start with an age old method of brewers yeast and a little bit of garlic mixed into their food. For cats, eliminate the garlic due to the fact that onions and garlic are toxic for cats. For a sweeter option, try squeezing lemon juice or orange juice on their fur and rub it in; acting as a natural repellent.
Bathing is always a recommended option. Using some liquid dish soap with a citrus smell works well. Due to the fact that fleas can't grab a hold of the hair, water will wash them into the tub. Regularly brushing also keeps fleas off your dogs and cats.
Beneficial nematode worms work great in your garden. These are not the worms that cause heart worms so not to worry. These beneficial worms feed off the flea larva so having them in your garden and yard is a plus. Keeping your floors swept and carpets vacuumed will also help.
Well, we are going to get silly on you now. Ticks, the dreaded blood suckers, live in tall grass in wooded areas and are attracted to the body warmth. A good way to keep this pesky nuisance at bay is to cover your dog. Grab an old T-shirt and some old socks and give your dog protection.
Using a T-shirt to cover your dog's body and belly will not keep the ticks away, however, it slows their progress to uncovered places as do the socks. By covering the hair it hinders the tick's access to the warm b therefore acting as a deterrent. And talk about a chick magnet; this might work better than a cute puppy.
You can use rose geranium oil on the inside of your dog's collar and on their fur to repel ticks. It's a natural repellent for dogs but is not suggested for cats. Cats have severe reactions to all essential oils so steer clear of those for you cats.
Now that you have a few alternate means of combating fleas and ticks, you can feel confident that your pets will remain bug-free throughout the year. Summer time is a particularly hard time where fleas and ticks are concerned so keep your pet happy and critter free by using these safe and environment friendly tricks. Just remember that proper removal of ticks is essential.
