Fleas and ticks are not just a skin irritation to pets and their owners. They are capable of causing illnesses like anemia, rickettsiosis, ehrlichiosis and Lyme's disease. It is vital to keep pets and their environment parasite free. However, there is an increasing concern over chemical flea and tick treatments and their acute and long term side effects. Using herbal flea and tick treatments safely and effectively protect animals from harmful parasites.
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Herbal Flea Collar
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Herbal flea collars are saturated with insect-repellent oils. Avoid toxic conventional flea collars by using an herbal flea collar. Chemically treated flea collars control parasites by emitting poisonous nerve gasses. Alternatively, herbal flea collars are saturated with insect-repellent herbal oils. Some versions of herbal collars can be recharged and re-used. Always use breakaway or elasticized collars on cats to prevent injury. Herbal flea collars work best when integrated with another form of herbal flea and tick control.
Herbal Shampoo
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Bathe pets with herbal shampoo. Use shampoo containing cedar, pine, bergamot, lavender, rosemary, citronella, eucalyptus, juniper or geranium. When bathing, first form a barrier of shampoo suds around the neck. This barrier prevents fleas or ticks from escaping to the head area to avoid water and shampoo.
Herbs
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Combine herbs to make an herbal flea powder. Herbs that naturally ward off fleas and ticks are eucalyptus, fennel, rosemary, wormwood, yellow dock and rue. Herbal flea powder can be mixed at home or purchased premixed. At home, combine any or all herbs together in a jar with a shaker top. The holes in the lid should be large enough for the herbs to pass through.
Garlic and Brewer's Yeast
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Garlic repels most insects. Garlic and brewer's yeast repel fleas and ticks naturally. Garlic can be fed fresh or ground into food, or dried, odorless tablets can be added to kibble or a raw meat diet. Brewer's yeast can be rubbed directly into the fur or fed as a tablet. Be aware, though, as garlic has been proclaimed harmful in diabetic pets. Consult a veterinarian before giving a pet garlic.
Diatomaceous Earth
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Diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled on top of food. Diatomaceous earth, otherwise known as diatoms, functions as a natural pesticide. Diatoms are prehistoric single-celled animals removed from glaciers. Diatomaceous earth is crushed into a fine powder and used to kill fleas and ticks. Diatoms have sharp, jagged edges and contain the mineral silica. The parasite's external exoskeleton is lacerated by the jagged edges of the diatom. Diatomaceous earth can be rubbed directly on the animal, sprinkled throughout the sleeping area and over food. Giving an animal diatomaceous earth orally is safe because it is so small, it is only fatal to parasites. In addition, it provides several trace minerals and controls internal parasites when fed orally.
Quality Essential Oils
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Melaleuca is a natural flea and tick repellent Quality essential oils are used to keep pets flea and tick free naturally. Use essential oils such as lavender, peppermint, spearmint, lemongrass and melaleuca (tea tree oil). Mix oils with water in a spray bottle or apply directly on the collar.
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