Prepare for Battle, Here come the FLEAS!

With spring comes flowers, warmer air, green grass, and pests!  One of my least favorite pests of all time is the flea.  It is such a bother!  They are incredibly difficult to get rid of once they make their appearance but it is possible and without harmful chemicals too.  However the best way to fight fleas is to prevent them.

One thing I always try to focus on in my home is keeping it free of toxic chemicals.  The modern flea prevention that is recommended is full of toxins.  It is too toxic for you to get on your skin but it is intended to be absorbed by our pets.  Umm no thanks!!  Did I mention yet that the pesticides used in anti-flea products are not regulated?  I do not like the sound of that!  Thankfully there are some all natural remedies to get rid of fleas and to prevent them.  

I have done research as to how to get rid of fleas in my own home, having three dogs they make appearances occasionally because of visits to the groomers, vet, or dog park.  So I decided I wanted to find an alternative to the ones using pesticides.  I almost gave up until I came across a book called "Clean Home Green Home."  It has many remedies to clean your home without toxic chemicals.  I did research on the information presented, I didn't trust it blindly.   Having researched and tried these methods on my own pets, I recommend looking into the following methods.  You don't have to do them all.  See which ones might work for you.  The less chemicals in your home the better.

FLEA PREVENTION:

1)  Try adding nutritional or brewer's yeast and/or flaxseed oil to your pet's food.  You can find it at your local health food store.  I know they are both carried at Whole Foods.  These ingredients not only deter fleas from attacking and living on your pet, but they will also improve skin health and coat luster. 

2)  Many pet stores are now carrying flea prevention made with all natural essential oils like clove.  There aren't any pesticides in them and they naturally repel the fleas.

    *ALWAYS check with your veterinarian before administering anything to your pet or trying a new method on your pet.

FLEA CONTROL:

    When flea season starts there are things you can do around the house that don't involve chemicals.

1)  Vacuum floor, curtains, upholstery, and clean the vacuum after every use.

2)  Wash all bedding and blankets frequently.

3)  Use beds for your pets that are filled with cedar.

4)  Place lavender, mint, rosemary, or cedar essential oil sachets along furniture cushions and beds to repel fleas.  ( I use fresh lavender with drops of lavender oil in homemade pantyhose sachets, they work great and smell fabulous!)

5)  Use beneficial nematodes in your yard.  These are wonderful.  We use them in our yard twice a year.  They eat all larvae quickly so any pest that lives in your yard is gone as a larvae.  They are completely safe too.  Check your local gardening store for more information.

6)  I have found a spray at Petsmart that my veternarian said was safe for my pets.  You can spray it on pets and bedding and furniture to get rid of fleas.  Please check with your vetrenarian first before using.

It is called "De Flea, Pet and Area Spray"  It combats fleas, ticks, and lice.  It kills on contact and is said to be natural and safe.  I use it as a last resort and I have a picture of it below.

I hope this information has been helpful.  It was a relief for me when I found these methods so that I didn't have to resort to pesticides anymore.  Good luck to you this spring, let the battle commence!!