Natural Treatments or Preventions for Fleas or Ticks

United States
July 10, 2007 2:06pm CST
I am trying to go back to a more natural life but have not found anything that I have tried to keep fleas or ticks off my dogs. They are allowed out in the yard quite a bit but come in when the weather is bad. Do any of you have any natural methods that work? Someone said to put vinegar in their water but I want to actually "talk" to someone that had tried it before I did anything to my beloved pets. The vets want to put the chemicals on but I thought I would try one more time before I do. Thanks from me and Copper,Sadie and Little One.
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6 responses
• United States
10 Jul 07
Neem oil works- add some to the shampoo when you bathe them.
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• United States
11 Jul 07
Where would I get neem oil? Thanks.
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• United States
11 Jul 07
An organic garden store, some health stores, and there are online stores: ehow.com/buy_10075_neem-oil.html
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• United States
12 Jul 07
Thank you. I am going to try it.
• Australia
11 Jul 07
eculyptus is very good for getting rid of fleas
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• United States
12 Jul 07
Good idea. Another one I would never have thought of. Thanks.
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
11 Jul 07
Hello Onerygirl, I am also very sensitive to avoiding chemicals on my dogs. Once per year (every Autumn), our dogs do get a flea bath. This is to kill any eggs that may be lying dormant. We have alot of wild rabbits scurrying through our property, who almost always carry fleas. The rest of the year (especially spring/summer) I keep our furry friends flea-free by this simple effort: In 4oz. water I mix 10 drops of 100% pure tea-tree oil, 2 drops of pure eucalyptus essential oil and 5 drops of pure lemongrass essential oil. I let the oils sit in the water for about 10 minutes, then dip a soft cloth into the blend, wring out, then wipe down the dogs -- paying close attention to the neck/shoulder, ear, and foot/leg areas. It only takes a few minutes to wipe down all five dogs. And, I re-apply every couple of weeks. I swear by this botanical fusion. Our dogs haven't had fleas in years!
• United States
12 Jul 07
Sounds like this would be easy also. I am going to have to go get some shopping done. Thanks for the wonderful suggestion. I think my dogs will be much happier.
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@wdiong (1815)
• Singapore
11 Jul 07
The following recipes can be wonderful remedies. Since they are all natural, they will only help repel fleas, ticks and flies etc. and must be applied more frequently as well. Herbal Critter Repellent Mix: Dried peppermint, eucalyptus, bay leaf herbs, marjoram, eucalyptus, rosemary, sage, clove buds. Crush your botanicals well and fill a muslin bag or use it in the cedar chip mixture of your dogs bed. The muslin bags can be placed near your dogs bedding area. Tick Spritzer Blend: 2 drops of Lavender, Basil, Lemon, Opponax, Eucalyptus 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon vodka 1 cup of dried marjoram, eucalyptus, rosemary 1- 2 cups of water Flea Spritzer Blend: 2 drops of cedarwood, lemongrass, rose geranium 1 teaspoon AVC (apple cider vinegar) 1 teaspoon vodka 1 cup of dried peppermint, eucalyptus, bay leaf herbs 1- 2 cups of water Add the essential oils and vodka in a bottle, tighten the lid and shake well. Once the mixture blended (should turn white), add apple cider vinegar. If you have some herbs mentioned above you can make an herbal tea to use in your spritzer. Boil 2-4 cups of water and remove from heat. Add your dried herbs in the water and let is simmer for 30 minutes. Once cool, drain and use instead of plain water in your spritzer. If you are using an herbal tea, this mixture must be kept in the refrigerator as the herbal teas have the tendency to go bad faster. Once you have your spritzer you can use this by gently spraying it in to your dogs coat, legs, tummy and back. Rub it in well and apply it as necessary. Do not use any of the essential oils on your dogs face or around nose, ears and eyes. Respect the sensitive nose he/she has and go easy when using aromatic substances such as essential oils.
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• United States
11 Jul 07
This sounds great. I will have to see if I can find those ingredients in our small town. Can I use both of the Blends at the same time?
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• United States
11 Jul 07
All the home remedies people will give you are only going to repel the fleas temporarily. They aren't going to get rid of them, nor will they keep the especially determined from biting. The topical flea medications are not unsafe to put on your pet and shouldn't cause you any trouble. The benefit of those is that they repel as well as kill fleas so that your dogs will not be bit. In order to get rid of fleas you have to treat your yard, the inside of your home, as well as the pets themselves. . otherwise they'll keep coming back year after year after year. .
• United States
12 Jul 07
To be honest, I had not thought of treating the yard. I do treat the house if the dogs get fleas but the only place they could get them is in the yard so I had better look into that. What do you use on your yard?
@trk918 (254)
• United States
10 Jul 07
I don't have an answer but would be interested to know. I have 2 cats. The baby was abandoned, malnutrition & covered in fleas. I have put her thru many flea baths & you know how much cats like water. I don't like chemical either so I'm always looking for natural treatments.
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• United States
11 Jul 07
All my animals are rescues so I know what you are saying. Hopefully, we will get some good remedies.
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