If you think that chemical flea control treatments are too harsh on your dog, your family and your environment, natural oils may offer an alternative to preventing and repelling fleas from latching on to your pet. Small concentrations of the oils and water, if applied frequently, can ward off fleas without the addition of processed chemicals.
Things You'll Need
- Essential oils (either cedar, citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass, peppermint and rosemary, or a combination of any of these)
- Small spray bottle
- Water
Instructions
Visit a local homeopathic store or an online retailer that sells essential oils. Natural oils that may help control fleas are citronella, lavender, lemongrass and peppermint. Cedar, eucalyptus and rosemary may also help repel fleas.
Create a spray mixture. The website Total Flea Control recommends using two drops each of cedar and lavender oil with 600 ml of water. Mix these together and pour into your spray bottle.
Spray your dog, making sure not to get the mixture into your pet's eyes.
Essential oils are less potent than chemical flea treatments, so spray your dog at least once a day with the oil mist.
Spray areas around your house that your dog frequents.
Dab oils on your dog. In addition to using the spray bottle method, you can apply the oils directly to your pet. The website Paw Rescue recommends putting a few dabs of oil between your dog's shoulder blades and on her collar.
Talk to your veterinarian if you do not see relief from these preventative measures.
After you take your dog for a walk, spray the doorway of your home as you enter and also spray the dog and your clothing.