With warmer weather, fleas and ticks become a huge issue for our pets. Sure, we can buy chemically based anti flea and tick medicine to apply to our furry loved ones, but is that really what we want to do? Over time those chemically based medicines can cause more harm than good.
Here we will show you a safe alternative and more natural option to keeping your pet tick and flea free!
This simple recipe is comprised of only four ingredients that are all recognized as insect repellents.
1. Eucalyptus oil
The eucalyptus (eucalyptus globulus, eucalyptus citriodoro) is a well-known natural bug and insect repellent. Eucalytpus oil is a successful way to get rid of fleas in your home. It is extracted from the seeds of the eucalyptus tree. It produces a strong scent that fleas and other insects find unbearable. Studies have shown that it can be more effective than DEET. An additional benefit of this essential oil is that it is an antiseptic, so it can sooth the skin from insect bites.
Note: this ingredient should not be applied to cats as they are sensitive to many essential oils. Eucalyptus oil should not be ingested by pets either. And do not allow your pet to chew on toys, collars or bedding that has been directly treated with this specific oil.
2. Yarrow powder
The yarrow is a healing herb which can be used to treat wounds due to its anti-inflammatory properties and used to be a vital herb at wartime. It has also been shown to have pain-relieving and anti-microbial properties. Pets that suffer from a flea infestation will often go on to get infected bites. Powdered yarrow can help heal and sooth the irritated skin of a pet helping to stop the circle of itching and scratching vicious.
3. Neem powder
The neem is another herb which has been used throughout centuries due to its antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, and blood-purifying power. It can be used on pets both in oil and powder form as a herbal insect repellent, repelling fleas, ticks, lice, mites, ants and mosquitoes. It actually inhibits the metamorphosis of the larvae by preventing the rapid breeding of these bugs. It is also moisturizer, so it helps heal any dry skin or scaling which would otherwise occur from the skin irritation.
4. Food grade diatom flour
This is also known as Diatomaceous earth (DE) and is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock consisting of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae, that is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. DE particles are so small that it just feels like a fine baby powder to humans and pets alike. It is a simply a mineral silica.
Food grade fresh water DE is completely harmless to humans and pets because it is not a poison. DE is crystalline in structure. It works by scratching the bodies of the insects and causing them to dehydrate. Because Diatomaceous earth can by very drying, the neem counteracts the dryness and helps protect your pet from excess dry skin.
This food grade DE can be purchased at some plant nurseries, BUT be sure and specify that you want food grade (not crystallized or filter grade)! DE products are registered for use against bed bugs, cockroaches, crickets, fleas, ticks, spiders, and many other resistant pests.
Anti-Flea And Tick Recipe
- 20 drops of eucalyptus essential oil (remember to omit this for cats and kittens!)
- half a cup yarrow powder
- half a cup neem powder
- 1 cup of food Grade Diatomaceous earth
Instructions:
Simply mix all of the above-listed ingredients together in a jar with a shaker lid. Sprinkle on to your pet along its spine all the while brushing the fur in the opposite direction to ensure the powder makes close contact with the skin. Also rub it onto their belly, legs and tail always ensuring that it soaks into the skin.
It can help to rub in with a powder puff or cotton wool pad. Take care to avoid any contact with their eyes and nose.
When this is being applied as prevention once a month, it should keep your pet bug free throughout the spring and summer period when fleas are most prevalent. However, following a bath, or when they go out in the rain, it you be should reapplied amply.
If the remedy is applied to treat an active infestation, then apply it every other day until you can no longer see any of the fleas. Then just apply as above for maintenance purpose. It is important to also treat your entire home to prevent re-infestation in there. You can apply the same powder to pet bedding, soft furnishings, windowsills and floors. Just apply a light dusting to these areas and leave it overnight. Use your vacuum cleaner the following day. Repeat everything once a week for a month.
recipe via: dietoflife.com
Share this with all over your pet owner friends and family and help them keep their furry pals tick and flea free! #pets #dogs #cats #ticks
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