Tips to rid your pet of fleas and ticks
Natural just means the original ingredient
was not produced in a laboratory.
But nature, which we all know,
can be quirky and risky.
So use even natural flea control products with caution.
was not produced in a laboratory.
But nature, which we all know,
can be quirky and risky.
So use even natural flea control products with caution.
Wheat germ and garlic There are safe “foods” which work very well in amounts appropriate to the size of your dog or cat. Wheat germ and garlic are natural flea repellents which seem to make the host animal unattractive to fleas!
Using garlic is a natural, inexpensive and safe way to get rid of the fleas biting your dog. When garlic is added to a dog’s diet, it enters the blood stream and the scent and taste of the garlic gets into the skin. Fleas hate the scent and taste of garlic and jump off the dog.
Diatomaceous earth is typically used as a pesticide treatment for dogs to rid them of fleas and ticks. Diatomaceous earth is extremely effective for killing fleas that are hiding in carpets, either in your home or even outside where your pets might enjoy taking a rest. If you don’t have any carpets, it can also be used on hardwood floors as a very effective way to kill off any flea infestations that may have found its way into your life. When purchasing diatomaceous earth make sure you get the “food grade” product. Unlike the other varieties and mixes, this is completely safe for the family and will not cause any problems in the house.
Borax is known to be highly effective in killing fleas. It is odorless and is available readily in powdered form. It is non toxic to human skin but when fleas come in contact with it, they get severely dehydrated. Additionally, the razor sharp crystalline structure of the powder at its microscopic level also shreds the fleas’ innards, making it highly effective in killing flea larvae and adult fleas as well.
Precautions and drawbacks of using Borax for natural flea control.As with any other natural flea control product, some precautions are necessary when using borax.
- Pregnant women must stay away from borax.
- Borax is not safe to be used around cats and is known to cause severe breathing problems in them.
- Borax effectively treats adult fleas and flea larvae; however, it is not known to eliminate flea eggs. Thus, re-infestation is likely and one needs to reapply the product again after a few weeks.
- Borax powders should be kept away from moisture as it can render the product ineffective. Wet carpets can also get permanently discolored or damaged if borax is used on them.
- Borax powder must never be used directly on the pets’ body for killing fleas.
- Borax should not be used near household plants as it can cause toxicity.
- Pet owners with young children and babies should use borax powder with extreme caution as ingestion in large quantities has been known to cause severe health complications, skin allergies etc.
Step 1: Vacuum the carpets thoroughly.
Step 2: Sprinkle the borax powder liberally in areas of major flea infestation. You can use a stiff brush to ensure that the powder penetrates deep in the carpets.
Step 3: Leave the borax on the carpet for at least 6 hours or even up to 2 days-longer the better. Do not allow kids and pets on the treated areas during this time.
Step 4: Vacuum the carpet thoroughly. Dispose the vacuum bags outside to prevent larvae and eggs from coming back inside the home.
Naturally, this method must be used only for eliminating fleas in the pet’s environment. For killing fleas on the pets, it is best to use a suitable product as recommended by the vet. As stated above, borax should not be used directly on the pet’s coat for killing fleas on it.
How to Kill Fleas with Baking Soda
There is no magic formula for controlling ticks and fleas on your pets. No matter how much manufacturers advertise their formulas as safe and 100% organic, no chemical compound exists that can control fleas while leaving your pets and household truly safe and healthy. However, there are ways of natural flea control. These simple yet holistic alternative programs not only work; they also cause less trouble in the long run.
If you have been continually spraying or administering toxic materials and poison to your pets or on your property, then I have some wonderful tips for you to change all that. In this guide, I will explain how to kill fleas with baking soda naturally.
If you are wondering whether it is possible to kill fleas with baking soda, then the answer is yes. The secret behind controlling fleas is getting rid of their larvae and eggs. This is where baking soda comes into the picture.
Very few products are successful in treating adult fleas as well as their eggs. But baking soda used along with common table salt can do this job successfully. This is an inexpensive yet an effective and safe method that will not harm your pets or children. Additionally, both the ingredients are also readily available in most households, so one need not go out of their way or purchase these items.
Important point to note when using baking soda to kill fleas. If you use baking soda to kill fleas, you have to ensure that the product is still active. To test if your baking soda is active, add it to a few drops of vinegar. The mixture should bubble instantly and continue to bubble up for a few minutes. If this is not the case and the bubbles are forming rather slowly or not forming at all, then it is time to replace your existing batch of baking soda.
Steps for killing fleas with baking soda
To kill fleas with baking soda, you must treat the carpets, bedding as well as the furniture in the household. Failure to do this will render all other flea control products (particularly those used on the pets) ineffective, as the fleas will simply continue to multiply on these breeding grounds.
- Start by purchasing baking soda and salt by the gallons. This is especially needed when the infestations are huge or when you are planning on treating all the rooms of your home.
- It is best to keep the pets outdoors when treating the home. Salt and soda can be irritating to pets’ skin especially if they have open flea wounds or sores.
- Mix the salt and baking soda together and fill the mixture in an old shaker bottle. You can also apply the soda and salt separately to the carpets.
- To kill fleas with baking soda method, liberally sprinkle the salt and baking soda on the entire carpeted area.
- You can now use a brush or a broom to ensure spreading the mixture uniformly to all areas.
- Now leave the mixture of salt and baking soda on the carpet overnight. The product works by dehydrating the fleas and eventually killing them.
- Next, vacuum the carpet thoroughly. This will help you get rid of dead and dying fleas. If you are using a bagged vacuum, seal the disposable bags and get rid of them outdoors.
- Repeat the process every 3 to 4 days since flea eggs hatch within this period. This will make the treatment more effective and help you get rid of remaining fleas.
- Repeat the entire process every few months.
Can you put baking soda on your dog or cat?
Yes, baking soda can be used on your dog or cat. In fact, it deodorizes the pet’s fur between baths and also stifles the fleas and other parasites that may be living in it. You can also make a wonderful and inexpensive pet shampoo using baking soda (many shampoos made specifically for pets contain baking soda). Baking soda can also be used on other household pets such as rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas and guinea pigs.
How to use baking soda to kill fleas on your pets
- Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with 1 1/2 cups of water.
- Thoroughly wet your pet’s coat with warm water.
- Soak the shampoo into the fur, but avoid using it on the face.
- Let it sit for a minute and then rinse out with water.
- Your pet’s coat should now be clean, shiny and odor-free.
Get rid of fleas with vinegar mixed with baking soda
In order to make the baking soda remedy even more powerful, you can use a combination of baking soda and vinegar. Here is a simple homemade flea spray recipe with vinegar and baking soda:
Ingredients
Fill the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray down your pets, taking care not to get the mixture into their eyes.
Treating fleas on carpets, rugs and hardwood floors with borax, salt and baking soda
Borax is another natural ingredient that literally rips fleas apart. When mixed with salt and baking soda, you have a powerful solution for your rugs, carpets and hardwood floors. Here is the recipe for an effective Borax, salt and baking soda cleaner:
Ingredients
When you choose to kill fleas with baking soda, you are not only saving money but also ensuring a safer and more natural method of controlling these pests. Try it out for yourself and see just how effective this is for killing fleas.
In order to make the baking soda remedy even more powerful, you can use a combination of baking soda and vinegar. Here is a simple homemade flea spray recipe with vinegar and baking soda:
Ingredients
- 8 oz apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 4 oz warm water
- ½ tsp salt
Fill the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray down your pets, taking care not to get the mixture into their eyes.
Treating fleas on carpets, rugs and hardwood floors with borax, salt and baking soda
Borax is another natural ingredient that literally rips fleas apart. When mixed with salt and baking soda, you have a powerful solution for your rugs, carpets and hardwood floors. Here is the recipe for an effective Borax, salt and baking soda cleaner:
Ingredients
- ½ cup Borax
- 1 cup baking soda
- ¼ cup salt
When you choose to kill fleas with baking soda, you are not only saving money but also ensuring a safer and more natural method of controlling these pests. Try it out for yourself and see just how effective this is for killing fleas.