Got Fleas? Non-Toxic Solutions – Part 2

By isak, August 22, 2009

With all the people that use the spot-on flea products, I find it incredible that they still cost so much money. It would cost me about $500 per month to use them for my bunch. Add to that the problems that are beginning to surface.

First, there is the EPA investigation into spot-on treatments. Then there are the photos of what look like burns on pets from the treatments. Then there is my own personal experience. I have painted floors in my house and a single drop of the spot-on solution will eat a hole right through the paint which begs the question: if it will eat a hole through paint, what must that feel like on my pets’ skin? As a matter of fact, some of my pets do run like they are on fire after they get a dose of spot-on flea treatment. So I am always interested to I read about other solutions. I found some personal recommendations that I want to share with you.

MORE NATURAL FLEA REMEDIES

• I use brewers yeast. Sprinkle it over their food. I agree with you that the chemicals are bad. I used to use the drops on my dog, then I relized he was getting horrible bumpy hard things under his skin in the exact same place I had put the drops. My theory is, if you wouldn’t put it on your skin, why put it on your dog? go to www.onlynaturalpet.com.They have alot of nautural products. I use the Doc Ackermans sprayand shampoo, it is for fleas and ticks. Works great. We have been chemical free for 2 years now.
  By jeannie_brim
• My wife and I use food grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) on our dog and carpets to kill fleas and ticks out. Diatomaceous earth is a remarkable, all-natural product made from tiny fossilized water plants. Diatomaceous Earth is a naturally occurring siliceous sedimentary mineral compound from microscopic skeletal remains of unicellular algae-like plants called diatoms.Diatomaceous Earth, also known as Silicon Dioxide, is not a poison. DE is EPA labeled as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) in food production, water and the environment.Dust Diatomaceous earth is a mechanical insect killer. Insects cannot become immune to its action. When insects come into contact with diatomaceous earth, the sharp edges lacerate the bugs’ waxy exoskeleton and then the powdery DE absorbs their body fluids causing death from dehydration. DE kills insects by drying them up.

  To use it for flea and tick control, apply a light dusting over the lawn, in dog runs, around pet bedding or favorite resting spots and sprinkle a little on your pet between baths of a mild herbal soap. We buy a large 20 pound bag of it (about $20 at the local feed or home store) and dust her by filling a sock with the earth (looks like chalk) and shaking it above her every other week.

  It’s completely harmless and does an excellent job.
  By Dr. Brian

• Place one cap full Avon “Skin So Soft” in a spray bottle with water shake well. Mist dog, massage in. Repeat every 2 weeks or so. Dogs skin will be less dry, smell nice, and keeps fleas away.
  By aussie
• This is the only one I know. Get some honeysuckle leaves and put them in a blender with water. Chop it all up until its mushy. Strain the mixture to get all the pulp out. Put the remaining water in a spray bottle and spray your pet. This mixture works on garden pests too. Have you ever seen a bug of any kind eat honeysuckle leaves? Not even Japanese beetles!
  By sumrtanman

I can endorse Diatomeous Earth because I have used it and it works very well. If you apply it indoors be careful because it can irritate your nostrils. I really like the sock idea for putting it on the dogs. And we know Skin-So-Soft has been used for years to repel mosquitos. But the honeysuckle leaves is a new one. I have honeysuckle growing along the fence, so I will have to give it a try. I have never been consistent enough with the Brewers Yeast to say one way of the other, but I may re-visit it, too.

As you can see, there are MANY options for dealing with fleas. Here’s Part 1.

Good luck. And let me know if you have any remedies that work.