How to Use Rosemary As a Flea Dip

Television advertisers and manufacturers of commercial flea treatments claim they're safe. Chemical flea treatments like Frontline, Hartz Sentry, K9 Advantage and all the others, though, are highly toxic to humans and pets. According to an article in a publication of Animal Protection of New Mexico (APNM), "the commercial products contain active ingredients, which target and kill the fleas, and contain inert ingredients, which are also, poison themselves." Some of these treatments have been known to cause adverse reactions such as diarrhea, head shaking, facial twitching, weight increase in the spleen, thymus and adrenal glands, seizures, skin conditions, and liver damage," according to the APNM. Because of the unknown safety risks associated with chemical flea treatments, a homemade herbal flea dip made from rosemary leaves is a safer alternative.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 2 cups fresh rosemary leaves
  • 6 cups warm water
  • Strainer
  • Large pot
  • Measuring cup
  • Gallon container
  • Flea comb
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place 2 cups of water in a large pot and heat to boiling.

    • 2

      Steep the rosemary leaves in boiling water for 30 min. Strain leaves from liquid.

    • 3

      Pour strained liquid into a one-gallon container. Add up to 14 cups of warm water to make one gallon of flea dip. It is important to bathe your dog before you treat him with the flea dip. Use a gentle baby shampoo that lathers a lot; the lather coats the fleas and smothers them. Leave it on for three to five minutes. Rinse with warm water.

    • 4

      While your dog is still in the tub, pour the flea dip all over him. Pay special attention to his back, tail, neck, ears and stomach. Do not rinse. Let your dog dry naturally. Use a flea comb to check for fleas. Use the flea dip once a week.