Natural Flea Repellents
The word "natural" often elicits a belief that the product is safe. Regardless of whether a flea repellent or product is natural, it is still considered a pesticide. There are different forms of natural flea repellents, from dietary to topical and environmental to biological. When choosing a flea repellent for you or your pet, talk to your doctor or veterinarian first to ensure you choose a safe product. Does this Spark an idea?
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Plants
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There are many plants you can put in your landscapes and gardens that repel fleas as well as other insects. For some of these plants, the flea-repelling properties are in the leaves. Tansy is one such plant. Rubbing the leaves on your pet's fur can provide effective flea control. Other plants and essential oils derived from them that have flea-repelling properties include eucalyptus, wormwood, fennel, sage, neem and pine. Despite their ability to repel fleas, many of these products are known to be or are potentially dangerous for pets and people. Pennyroyal is especially dangerous, and you should not use it in oil, dietary or other form, although planting it around your home is safe and may offer some protection.
Environmental
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Instead of applying them directly to you or your pet, you apply environmental repellents around your home. Environmental repellents include boric acid, pyrethrins (made from chrysanthemums) and diatomaceous earth. Again, you should exercise caution when choosing and using these products. Boric acid is especially dangerous to pets or people with broken or inflamed skin. Pets' and humans' bodies also rapidly and completely absorb boric acid when taken orally. Pyrethrins, on the other hand, have slightly less dangerous side effects. They can cause respiratory and skin irritations, including dermatitis and asthma. Pyrethrins are common active ingredients in many pesticides, including shampoos and sprays.
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Dietary
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Feeding your pets certain herbs and plants may work, but it also carries dangers. As with humans, a dog or cat can be extremely and dangerously allergic to different plants and herbs. Garlic is one such dietary supplement that has long been a natural flea repellent, although it is not safe for dogs. Studies have determined that brewer's yeast fails to control fleas. For the health and well-being of your pet, never feed it anything new for pesticide purposes without speaking with a veterinarian.
Natural Prevention and Control
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Repellents work best when used along with other prevention and control measures. For your lawn, you can purchase nematodes that attack flea larvae. Regular vacuuming is also an effective measure of control. Fleas cannot survive the suction of the vacuum, although some larvae may remain in your carpet if your vacuum is not powerful enough. Keep your dog or cat within your yard to minimize the risk of a pet roaming into a flea-infested area or mingling with infested animals.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit scratching cat image by Lucid_Exposure from Fotolia.com
