Homeopathic Remedies for Fleas and Ticks

Apr 2, 2020   Tracey Aston   Health & Wellness

Spring and Summer bring out the bugs and there is nothing worse than noticing creepy crawlies on our pets! However, harsh chemicals can be hard on a pet's skin and coat! Thankfully, there are many homeopathic ways to keep those annoying, and potentially dangerous, bugs off your pet!

WONDERCIDE is an all-natural flea and tick repellent made from Cedar, Lemongrass, Peppermint and Rosemary and is proven to kill, repel, and prevent 98-100% of fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes without harmful chemicals.

Essential oils can be diluted and used as sprays or in shampoos to help keep pests at bay. Cedar, peppermint and lemongrass oil can be added to a bandana or a collar to repel fleas. Be cautious with the types of essential oils how much essential oil is used. Cedar oil products are also available as yard sprays and repellents. When using any type of essential oil with a pet, use a very small amount at first to make sure your pet doesn't have an allergic or adverse reaction.

Coconut oil kills and repels fleas due to the ingredient lauric acid. Coconut oil also helps clear up skin conditions such as eczema, flea allergies, contact dermatitis, and itchy skin and treats yeast and fungal infections. Coconut oil can be applied topically or given orally in food.

Dawn dish liquid and vinegar can be used together in a bath to kill and repel fleas and ticks. Dawn dish soap essentially causes the flea to drown and not float due to changes in the exoskeleton of the flea, but it does not repel fleas. A vinegar rinse added topically during or after the bath or put into the pet's water will repel fleas and ticks. Vinegar can be added at the rate of 1 teaspoon per quart of water, or it can be diluted in water in a 1:1 mixture and sprayed on your pet's coat.

Lemon juice is another way to repel fleas and is probably already in your kitchen. Make an herbal flea spray using diluted lemon juice and water with 1 part lemon juice to 2 parts water.  As a citrus, lemon can stain or remove coloring from carpets, rugs or furniture so make sure you spray your pet outside and allow them to fully dry before bringing them back inside.

Garlic can be added into food or given in pill form to repel fleas but garlic is not without risks. Too much garlic can make your pet sick so be careful giving too much as it can cause gastrointestinal issues.  Springtime makes an all-natural, pet safe, garlic supplement that can be fed in either powered granules or chewable form.  Do not give garlic to cats!

Buck Mountain has an organic parasite dust made with organic neem, yarrow and diatom flour that will kill flies, fleas, ticks, mites. Parasite powder is used by briskly rubbing in into the pet's coat from tail to head. Parasite powder can also be used on pet bedding. A little bit goes a long way, so if you are seeing the dust on the pet or bedding after rubbing, you are using too much.

Flea combs have teeth that are close together and can catch fleas, flea larvae, and flea eggs to help protect your pet. Comb your pet daily to check for any evidence of flea activity or back specks that indicate blood from a feeding flea.

To address fleas in your home, sprinkle Borax on the carpets, furniture, bedding and blankets and rub with a brush to ensure it's getting deep into the fibers of the carpet or furniture and then vacuum. Borax is not safe for pet's to eat!

Diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled around the perimeter of your home where fleas and ticks may enter. Diatomaceous earth can kill flea, ticks, bed bugs, crickets, cockroaches and spiders. However, please be very careful not to inhale the fine silica dust as it may cause you to experience coughing and shortness of breath. The powder is also abrasive to the eyes so avoid getting the dust into your eyes.

Fleas and ticks are not only a nuisance but can carry dangerous diseases. For this reason, fleas and ticks must be swiftly dealt with and with homeopathic methods a pet can be kept safe without harsh and irritating chemicals.