Fleas can make your pet miserable by causing him to scratch and bite at his skin. Fleas reproduce rapidly and can soon infest your home and lawn areas. They carry diseases and thrive by sucking blood from animals, according to the Stop the Fleas website. This can cause anemia or other diseases in your pet. Most commercial flea killers contain chemicals. Avoiding the high cost of commercial products and use of chemicals is a smart reason to make a homemade flea killer.
Things You'll Need
- Citrus fruit
- Large sauce-pot
- Potato masher
- Strainer or cheesecloth
- Clean jar or bottle
Instructions
Gather citrus fruits. You can use limes, lemons, oranges and grapefruit. You can combine them or use only one type of citrus, according to the Norfolk terrier website.
Cut the citrus fruit in half and squeeze out all the juice. It is not necessary to remove the pulp.
Place the rinds into a large pot and fill it with water. Bring the mixture to a boil and then allow it to simmer for several hours. Keep an eye on the pot and do not allow it to boil dry.
Remove the rinds to a large bowl when they are squishy and limp. Mash them with a potato masher to break up the rinds and to release as much juice as possible.
Return the liquid to the pot and continue simmering for a few more hours. Allow it to cook down a bit.
Strain the liquid into a clean jar or bottle. Be sure to hold a cheesecloth or strainer over the opening to remove any pulp or remaining solids. Refrigerate the mixture; it will keep for about a week, since it contains no preservatives.
Use ¼ cup of the flea killer in the bath water when you are bathing your pet. This will not leave a sticky residue and will kill any fleas on contact. It will not stain your pet's coat.