Fleas are a nightmare for your furry pals and you their owner as well. There are 2000 different types of fleas which can wreak havoc on your pet. In case of a full-fledged infestation, a flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day. These parasites feed on your poor pets and spread various bacterial infections too. Fleas can be very irritating for pets. The problem becomes a larger one when your pets resort to biting themselves violently when the incessant itching starts. But nature itself has provided us with remedies which can help us get rid of these nasty pests. Use these 10 natural remedies on your furry pals and relieve them from infestation they are tolerating speechlessly.
Rosemary not only heals flea bites but also makes it unpleasant for future infestations too. It has an active ingredient which is great for your pet but really bad for the pests. This is how you can prepare a rosemary dip.
Image Source: novi.ba
Start by boiling 2 cups of rosemary leaves in a pan of water for 30 minutes. Now just strain the liquid and remove the leaves. Add this concoction to 4.5 liters of warm water. Now very carefully pour this mixture on your pet and rub on all the affected areas and do not rinse it away.
Image Source: pinimg.com
A flea comb is a specially made comb with very fine laced teeth that traps the fleas, dirt, and eggs or ticks from the thick recesses of your pet’s fur. Make sure your pet's fur is completely dry before combing with this comb.
Image Source: emuna.com.ua
First, prepare a hot water bucket and mix it with any dog soap for the purpose of rinsing the flea comb after every swipe. The bucket should be half full so that the flea does not jump or crawl out. Now place newspapers underneath your pooch and the bucket in case you see any flea trying to escape and you can immediately catch it and dunk it in the bucket. Start combing from the head, slowly working your way to the neck, shoulders towards the back and tail of your pet.
Image Source: novi.ba
Remember to always keep the strokes in the direction of the fur growth. Rinse the comb in the soapy water when you see it’s getting dark and full. Concentrate more on the back, sides and the belly of your pet. Finish off with a proper combing of legs, tail, and paws. You can double do the chin, tail and belly area as these are always the worst affected. Always try to use the flea comb outside the house but in case you are indoors than vacuum the area thoroughly after removing everything.
Image Source: ytimg.com
According to Mayo clinic tea tree oil can work wonders in chasing away ticks and fleas from your pets for good. In fact, tree tea oil is actively used in treating infections caused by fleas or dermatitis. The only thing which you must remember is to use the oil topically and not mix it with your pet’s bath or drinking water or food because it may cause a toxic reaction. The best thing to do is to make a flea collar for your pet using this oil.
Image Source: www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com
Do not to use this oil on cats as they have a way of metabolizing the oil by inhaling, ingesting or even absorbing it through skin pores. Use just one drop of this oil and rub on the inside of the dog’s collar and make them wear it. Repeat it again after a week.
Image Source: pinimg.com
The pennyroyal is also known as a mosquito plant and is a powerful insect repellent. It can be applied to skin to kill germs and repel insects. It is also used for treating poisonous bites, mouth sores and gout. Pennyroyal can also help get rid of fleas and even kill them but be careful when using this in oil form as it can be toxic.
Image Source: hermitageoils.com
Crush 1 cup of pennyroyal leaves to make a paste. Boil it in 1 liter of water for 3-4 minutes. Allow it to cool and pour it over your dog. Let him air dry instead of using a towel. Wash your dog with regular water after an hour. Do not let your dog eat or ingest the solution as it can be toxic. Do not use this on cats.
Image Source: 5funfacts.com
Citrus agents are so effective in flea riddance that many modern flea killing sprays are laced with it. The citrus Extract called D-limonene is the reason why insects, pests, and ticks hate it so much. In fact, it is very easy to make a homemade flea spray yourself which would keep your animals safe from annoying bugs and leave a lingering scent of fresh lime all over your house.
Image Source: www.fightbugs.com
Just get 3 lemons and slice them into disks. Now add these slices of lemon in a pan of one liter of water and bring it to boil and cover it with a lid. Let it simmer for 30 minutes. Remove them from the fire to cool and let it soak in the water overnight or nearly 8 hours. The next day remove the lemon rings and strain the water in a spray jar. Now spray it over skin patches where you think there is an infestation or infection. Rub it gently on the fur and leave it. Do not rinse it. You must repeat this whole process at least after every 15 days.
Image Source: www.trucsetbricolages.com
Vinegar can get rid of fleas and ticks from your furry friends. All you need is to create a solution and spray it gently over the pet’s fur, the corner of the room or the bedding they use. You can also clean the entire house and floor with this solution to finish off the ticks and fleas once and for all.
Take a spray jar with ¼ filled with distilled white vinegar. In the same bottle add ¾ of water. Shake it well and spray gently on the fur. Leave it on the affected skin patches and fur patches for 1-3 hours until the fur is dry. Rinse it off and repeat the ministrations for 2-3 times a week for a shiny and flea free coat.
Image Source: www.trucsetbricolages.com
Harmless looking kitchen ingredient such as salt is a painful agent for ticks, fleas and insects which bother your furry friends. Salt acts as a dehydrating agent and literally dries the life out of the bugs. Salt alters the ph balance of the fluids which basically is the lifeline for these nasty pests as they carry oxygen and nutrition in their systems. Moreover, humble salt can kill off flea eggs making it a natural pest repellant. The best part is it is safe for your pets too.
Apply a generous amount of salt in the infected skin and fur patches, rubbing it gently but firmly. Do not dust away the salt and let it remain stuck on the wound or the infected area for 2-3 hours before you vacuum up the salt along with the bugs too. Gently wipe it off the skin. You can even treat your pet with a nice salty bath as an alternative. Repeat this exercise daily till the infestation is gone for good.
Image Source: www.trucsetbricolages.com
Apart from using all the physical repellents as mentioned earlier, you can set traps for these nasty pests so that they die and never come back. It’s surprisingly easy to make a bug ambush using just water, soap and light! Soap contains surfactants which will sink and drown the insects in the water as it lowers the surface tension of the water. Light attracts these fleas towards their shiny death traps, so aluminum pans work the best as they are shiny enough. Just fill a pan with water and add 4 drops of dish soap. Place this in corners of rooms that may harbor fleas. Keep them there daily.
Image Source: 5funfacts.com
Fleas aren’t smart and are easy to catch. To enhance your flea traps, place a directional lamp on top or beside the soap-water trap that we had prepared earlier. Before you retire to bed at night turn on the lamp and position right on top of the trap, gradually you’ll see that the stupid fleas make a beeline towards the shiny light and fall into their death trap. Keep this contraption in a room where you can shut the doors and keep your kids and pets away while the magic happens overnight.
Image Source: brightside.me
The most important element involved in keeping your pets safe is to maintain a strict cleaning regimen and hygienic living conditions. Fleas have a tendency of multiplying at an alarming rate and any slack in cleaning, even for a day or 2 can create a full-blown flea infestation in the house. It’s always advisable that you keep your living quarters and pet’s area squeaky clean. The logic is simple if you can see one flea flying about be sure there are multitudes of them hiding in the corners where the sun doesn’t shine.
Vacuum the house and every nook and corner thoroughly and especially under the sofa, couch, bed, refrigerators, and cupboards. Spray strong insecticides where you know your pets can’t crawl under at all. Maw your lawn regularly as they are breeding grounds for insects. Wash the pet’s beddings, sheets, and clothes thoroughly and sun them dry to disinfect them at least twice a week.
Image Source: 5funfacts.com