Fleas are a year-round problem for most pets and pet owners. There are plenty of chemical flea repellents and remedies on the market, but they are not always the best option, especially for long-term use. Animals often inadvertently ingest them when grooming, potentially causing illness. Essential oils, such as eucalyptus and wintergreen, have a profound effect on fleas, allowing infestations to be abated and controlled without chemicals that could potentially make a pet sick.
Things You'll Need
- 1/4 teaspoon Eucalyptus Oil
- 8 to 10 ounce water spraying bottle
- 8 to 10 ounces of water
- Scissors
- Eucalyptus leaves
- Small organza sachet bags with drawstrings
- Glycerine
- Vase
- Hammer
- 1/4 teaspoon wintergreen oil
Instructions
Eucalyptus Oil Weekly Remedy
Measure 1/4 tsp. of eucalyptus oil and pour it into an 8- to 10-ounce water spray bottle.
Fill the bottle with water and shake the bottle vigorously to mix.
Spray carpet, furniture, animal bedding and anywhere else a pet may go that fleas could be left behind. The smell of the eucalyptus is offensive to fleas, causing them to find their way outside or die.
Spray these areas three times a week for the best results, always shaking the bottle before spraying.
Eucalyptus Sachets
Cut a eucalyptus branch into small pieces. Eucalyptus branches can be found in most floral supply sections of craft stores. They they do not dry out and maintain their scent for up to six months.
Place a small handful of cut up eucalyptus leaves into a small organza sachet bag; these are also available at craft stores. The best size is 3 inches by 3 inches. Pull the drawstring tight and tie it into a bow. Do not knot it, because this will require the tie to be cut, eliminating the bag from use when replacing the eucalyptus.
Make as many sachets as the eucalyptus clippings allow. Place them in areas that attract fleas, such as corners under cabinets, under beds, behind a pet's bedding, under a couch and along floorboards.
Refresh the sachets with new eucalyptus every four to six months.
Fresh Eucalyptus Sachets
Cut a fresh branch of eucalyptus from a tree.
Fill a vase with two parts glycerine and one part hot water. Glycerine is available in craft stores and will preserve the eucalyptus so that it does not dry out, thus maintaining a scent longer.
Hammer the bottom 2 inches of the branch and put it in the vase with the glycerine mixture. Allow it to soak up the glycerine water for several days. The leaves will darken over time as the glycerine is absorbed, giving them a waxy look.
Remove the branch from the glycerine water, set it aside and give it another week for the leaves to dry enough not to leak when cut.
Follow the steps above to make eucalyptus sachets.
Wintergreen Oil Quarterly Remedy
Measure 1/4 tsp. of wintergreen oil and pour into an 8- to 10-ounce spray water bottle.
Add water to the top of the bottle and shake it vigorously to mix the oil and water.
Spray the areas where your pet has traveled and where fleas may be hiding. The wintergreen does not repel fleas; it kills the eggs before they can hatch, and it should be used only once every three months.