Natural Flea/Tick prevention, What do you do

[Gingergirlsmom]

So, I have decided I just can't buy into the pesticide form of preventing fleas/ticks this year.

Last year I started out there, but one flea and I gave up.

So, here's what I've done so far. Researched essential oils and prepared a mix of essential oils/spring water in a dark spray bottle. Spray them liberally before going outside. Grooming with flea comb daily. Extra vacuuming.

I'm considering grapefruit seed extract, as I've read a couple of articles on it. But have seen it discussed as both an additive to their water and an additive to their shampoos. I'm wondering which is the safest and most effective solution.

We tried yeast/garlic last summer but Ginger reacted terribly to it. Then I find out yeast is a huge allergen for dogs.

So, has anyone else rejected the idea of chemical flea prevention? What do you do?

[Onni]

I found a non chemical flea spray at our local grocery store. It seems to work well and Onni smells good too.

It is "Sergeant's Nature's Guardian" Natural Flea & Tick Spray for Dogs & Puppies.

The ingredients are...

-Peppermint Oil
-Cinnamon Oil
-Lemon Grass Oil
-Clove Oil
-Thyme Oil

[TJCHRISYORK]

Thanks for this thread. I am also one that is just not big on putting whatever it is on my babies. My little girl has enough problems and I just don’t want to add one more. The spray you got at the grocery..? Does it work good. My big boy who is not even 2 years old is just a mess when I put the Advantage on him. We actually put it on him when he was just under 1 years old and he did fine. One night last summer I put it on him as a preventive thing and he turned into a Yorkie I didn’t eve know. He wouldn’t come near us, he just ran in his home ( his crate ) ad laid there. He would not come out for ANYTHING, the only thing that was different was we moved up into a new weight class, so I don’t know if it was to much for him but it was so sad. You could smell it when he went pee pee throughout the whole house since we use pp pads, it was just NOT a good experience. He was not himself, I called the vet she told me to wash it off with Dawn and give him some Benadryl and if it got any worse to bring him in…all was fine until I lost my mind and decided to try it again, but only half the dose…same thing, it worked on the fleas and turned my baby into I don’t know what…..We live in FL and they are very inside dogs since we live in a upstairs condo loft and it was hard to run down stairs to potty train so we used pp pads and they also know how to go outside, my point is they very rarely get a flea BUT they both started itching last PM and Myleigh was just at the Vet 5 days ago..hmmmmmm, wonder how we have fleas………REGARDLESS, I need help and love to try anything natural so thank you for this thread and I am bumping it up. I am off to buy the spray posted on the thread above me and will go from there……thank you much

[bailey12]

I've found putting nematodes in the yard really helps too. They are microscopic organisms that eat flea larvae among other things....grubs, etc. It has worked great for me. You buy them in a small sponge and water them into the yard. Very easy and effective. Then whatever option you choose for parks, walks, etc. Juliet

[Onni]

Originally Posted by TJCHRISYORK

The spray you got at the grocery..? Does it work good.

So far it seems to be working well. I do not spray it directly on her; I spray it in my hands then rub it on her. It has a very strong clove smell. It seems to kill the fleas and repell them as well. I think it wears off after a while and needs to be reapplied.

Here in Texas we battle fleas pretty regularly and our big dogs are all on oral flea meds, but Onni is way to small for that.

I do not like chemical sprays and try not to use them. I have found the topical things applied to the back of the neck to be rather useless.

[Yorkiedaze]

Here are home made remedy's that I use and they work even better than any of the chemicle's, not to mention a lot safer.

Chinaroad Lowchens of Australia - Ticks, fleas, bees, flies, snakes and other gremlins! And how to deal with them!

[011011]

Originally Posted by Onni

I found a non chemical flea spray at our local grocery store. It seems to work well and Onni smells good too.

It is "Sergeant's Nature's Guardian" Natural Flea & Tick Spray for Dogs & Puppies.

The ingredients are...

-Peppermint Oil
-Cinnamon Oil
-Lemon Grass Oil
-Clove Oil
-Thyme Oil

This is what I use for all 7 of mine

[TJCHRISYORK]

I cant thank you guys enough and I'm pretty sure Tyson and Myleigh thank you even more since I we can try something to help them with the itching that doesnt stink. Its always nice to know there is a something else I can do rather then put poison in them............and before everyone educates me on what is in Advanatge and how safe it is...let me say I know that it does work for A LOT of furbabies but it doesnt work for me.......

In the middle of all this I just took Myleigh out, the baby, 5 months, and I think I saw some little white specks when she went to the bathroom. I DONT EVEN WANT TO SPELL IT OUT, ( I'm talking about those thinigs they get when they eat fleas ) I will be sooooooooooooo mad if she gets what I think she is..............her "WONDERFUL " breeder sent her home with "those things"and she wasnt even 2 pounds. This little girl has had a rough 5 months.

I am off to give baths and put some good ol fashion flea spray on them and see what happens in the next few hours..............THANKS AGAIN

[YorkieChick1]

Originally Posted by bailey12

I've found putting nematodes in the yard really helps too. They are microscopic organisms that eat flea larvae among other things....grubs, etc. It has worked great for me. You buy them in a small sponge and water them into the yard. Very easy and effective. Then whatever option you choose for parks, walks, etc. Juliet

I've never heard of this, where do you get nematodes? Thanks for the info!!

[mainegirl]

Just wondering if Omni or anyone...have tried the Seargants Natural Home spray? The Advantix sends the fleas and ticks off of Ozzy but onto my floor.(according to the package they will die within 12 hours and can't lay eggs) I have all hardwood and no carpets, I found 3 ticks on my floor and saw one flea jump off of Ozzy right after a walk. I don't think I have any fleas in the house right now but i'm so paranoid! I killed them but worry about my couch....and what I haven't found...gosh I hate those buggers.