Itch. Itch. Scratch. Scratch. Uh oh. Do you see that? A tiny brown, wingless insect hovering in the folds of your pet's neck or around its tail. It must be flea season.
But did you know that less than 10% of the total flea population resides on your pet? The other 90% hide in the pet's bedding, in the carpets and on your furniture. Worse, each female can lay up to 20,000 eggs in her lifetime. All of this can add up to one huge problem. With these alarming facts, it's easier to think proactively and prevent an infestation before it gets out of control.
First, you must understand thine enemy. A flea is a parasite, meaning it is dependent on its host (your pet) for survival. Parasites tend to prey on vulnerability. Pets with weakened or developing immune systems are most susceptible to infestation. Therefore, it is key to strengthen their immune system making them less vulnerable to attacks. This can be done in a number of ways, most notably by changing their diet. A RAW diet allows for peak immune function as it contains live digestive enzymes and probiotics that have not been damaged or destroyed by heat (much of this is lost during the cooking and processing of a kibble).
In addition to a high quality diet, there are numerous supplements and additives that will support a healthy immune system.. These include omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acid supplements, nutritional brewer's yeast (provides complex B vitamins) vitamin C, garlic and probiotics.
Natural Treatments for Pest Control
Sprays, dips, powders and flea collars like the popular Frontline or Advantage systems are laced with poisonous chemicals and don't truly address the problem. There are many natural alternatives that are much gentler for your pet.
After bathing, douse your pet (carefully avoiding the head and delicate eye area) with an apple cider rinse. Other effective repellents include peppermint, lavender, lemon and tea tree oils (please exercise caution when using tea tree oil on cats or kittens). Lavender oil can be applied directly to your pet, on its shoulder blades or its neck. Lemon or rosemary oils can be dabbed on your pet's regular collar.
Neem, cedar, eucalyptus, myrrh and rosewood oils have also been used successfully to deter a flea population.
For cats, an amethyst crystal can be added to their water bowl and acts energetically to create an inhospitable environment for the parasite to thrive. Add a tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar to your pet's water bowl which will work in a similar way as the garlic does - by making the blood of the animal taste unpleasant.
Make Your Own Flea Repellents
Homemade flea repellents are safe and easy. Cut 6 lemons in half and steep in a litre of boiling water for a few hours. Strain the liquid into a spray bottle and spritz your pet's fur and carpets. Oranges may also work well. Try rubbing the rind on furniture legs.
Frequent bathing will also help rid your pet of these bothersome pests. The bugs will "flee" to higher ground once they are exposed to water. As you will want to avoid spraying your pet in the face or getting its head too wet, you can stop a flea from hiding on the pet's face by first creating a soapy "fence" around your pet's neck. Apply a generous amount of a gentle pet shampoo to your companion's neck, creating a thick lather of soap which will act as a barrier for the climbing fleas who will frantically try and escape the water. Avoid using a shampoo with insecticides or harsh chemicals as they will do more harm than good. You may find that a gentle tea tree oil shampoo will do the trick. You may also find that an oatmeal bath will provide some relief and will soothe irritated skin.
A mixture of diatomaceous earth and salt can be sprinkled on your carpet and vacuumed up after a few days which will help destroy the flea population not residing on your pet. Frequent washing of your pet's bedding in hot soapy water will also destroy eggs, slowing down the rate at which the population can multiply. Just be sure to use the diatomaceous earth that is meant for gardens and not for pools as the latter may contain harsh chemicals that can be ingested or aspired.
Shawnda Chambers - Shawnda Chambers is a mother of four, a certified yoga instructor and a reiki practioner. As the founder of Bhavana Yoga, Shawnda ...
