When it comes to flea control for pets, chemical flea prevention is quite popular. However, the debate over the safety of chemical flea prevention is ongoing, so many people prefer to use natural flea prevention. Getting rid of fleas naturally involves a three-fold approach, you need to treat your pet, treat your home and treat the exterior of your home. Natural flea control does require more effort, but it is safe and effective when employed properly.
Things You'll Need
- Vinegar
- Dog shampoo
- Flea comb
- Vacuum
- Laundry detergent
- Herbal flea collar
- Diatomaceous earth
- Garlic
- Brewer's yeast
- Apple cider vinegar
- Nematodes
Instructions
Wet your pet in your bathtub. Always start a bath and rinse from the neck down to prevent fleas from running to your pet's head. Rinse your pet with 1 qt. of water and 1 cup vinegar. Do not get vinegar on your pet's face.
Lather your pet with a natural dog shampoo. Lather well because any type of soap will drown fleas. Leave the soap lathered on your pet for about five minutes before rinsing.
Rinse your pet thoroughly and comb with a flea comb to remove any eggs or fleas left behind. Drown fleas or eggs in a cup of soapy water. If necessary repeat the vinegar rinse and shampoo. Towel dry your pet when you are confident the fleas are gone.
Wash all of your pet's bedding and toys in hot water with laundry detergent and 2 cups vinegar.
Place a herbal flea collar in your vacuum collection cup or bag and vacuum your home, furniture and your pet's living quarters. Immediately throw away your bag or empty the collection cup in the outside trash.
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the exterior edges of your rooms. You can also rub this into your pet's coat if it is having problems with a flea infestation.
Comb your pet with a flea comb daily to prevent future infestations. Always comb your pet with a flea comb after extended periods outdoors.
Feed your pet a brewer's yeast and garlic supplement. Feed a small crushed garlic clove and 1 tsp. daily of brewer's yeast for small animals or 1 tbsp. daily for large animals. Garlic may cause health problems in some cats, so it should be used only under the supervision of a veterinarian. You can also add 1 tsp. of apple cider vinegar to your pet's diet to help prevent fleas. In addition to this, feed your pet a natural diet with no additives and preservatives. Which means, if you can't pronounce it or identify it, your pet shouldn't eat it.
Cut your grass and weed your yard often to prevent fleas in your lawn. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth and nematodes from a lawn and garden store to control fleas and larvae.