Orange Oil for Fleas

A dog or cat scratching is normal and not a cause for alarm, but excessive scratching can be a sign of a flea infestation. To tell if your dog or cat has fleas, part the fur and inspect the skin. Fleas are a dark copper color and like to bite the belly or inner thigh of a dog or cat. Alternatively, you can check for "flea dirt" (flea feces containing digested blood). Flea dirt, when placed on a wet paper towel, will turn dark red; this is a definite sign that fleas are present and not some other pest.

  1. Fleas

    • Fleas are small wingless insects belonging to the order Siphonaptera. They possess incredible jumping ability, which allows them to easily find new hosts. Adult fleas feed on the blood of humans, dogs, cats and other pets, causing irritation and transferring diseases such as typhus and even the bubonic plague (although this is no longer common in most parts of the world).

    Orange Oil

    • The oil present in oranges is called limonene.

      Orange oil can easily be extracted from the peel at home or you can purchase ready-made cold-pressed oil. Limonene makes up 95 percent of the peel, which has been used to make plastic and other products. To extract your own orange oil, dry the peels and grind finely. Place the peel into a jar and pour enough warm grain alcohol, such as vodka, to soak the peel and cover it. Shake well and strain through a paper coffee filter. Pour the liquid into a small dish and cover until the alcohol has evaporated. What's left is orange oil suitable for flea treatment as well as cleaning and other uses around the home.

    Application

    • Once you've either bought orange oil or made your own at home, drop 30 drops into a spray bottle and dilute with 8 oz. of tap water or spring water if available. Position your pet and spray the affected areas (where your pet has been scratching the most.) If you need to spray your pet's neck or ears, cover the eyes and face, as orange oil is an irritant and should only be used externally.

    Warnings

    • Orange oil can corrode surfaces and is also flammable. Always dilute the oil and ensure that all nearby surfaces are covered when applying to your pet or, even better, apply outside. Additionally, most insects dislike the scent of limonene, the oily part of the orange, so try to avoid applying near a garden. Limonene will ward off beneficial pollinators as well as pests.

    Home Eradication

    • Unfortunately, though orange oil is effective when used on pets, it is not suitable for the rest of the home as it corrodes and stains fabric. Treating the pet for fleas alone is not sufficient because fleas can go without feeding for several weeks and will keep coming back if the home is not treated as well. Washing the pet's bedding and the rest of the home's carpet and fabric thoroughly is usually sufficient. Vacuum the carpets and dispose of the bag immediately.