Six tips to fight Fido’s fleas naturally
April 12, 2011 • Health & Wellness
As the weather warms, flea eggs start to hatch into adult fleas that will soon be ready to feed on Fido. In addition to causing your pet discomfort, fleas also carry tapeworms that can infect your pet, and in severe infestations, fleas can even cause anemia.
While chemical topical and oral flea and tick products can be used safely and effectively, many owners prefer a more natural approach. It’s important to treat Fido to kill adult fleas that spend their entire lifecycle feeding on him. However, keep in mind that approximately 90 to 95 percent of the flea lifecycle actually occurs off Fido’s body and in the environment: the house and the yard. Therefore, it’s important to treat your pet’s environment as well.
The following are some things you can do to help keep fleas away without resorting to potentially toxic chemicals. Bathe your pet frequently using an organic flea and tick shampoo. Regular bathing (several times per week or even daily) will kill adult fleas, remove flea eggs and flea debris, help heal your pet’s skin, and reduce itching and inflammation.
Treat the yard with beneficial nematodes. Nematodes are microscopic worms that eat adult fleas, juvenile fleas and even the resistant cocoon stage of the flea lifecycle (nothing else, including toxic chemicals, kills the cocoons). Apply the nematodes before flea season begins and as needed during the summer months if fleas continue to be a problem.
Treat the house with citrus oil sprays. Carpeted areas can be steam cleaned and then treated with approved borate fl ea products. Vacuum the carpeted areas at least weekly and more often if possible. Wash your pet’s bedding and towels daily in hot water. Even if only one pet is bothered by fleas, all pets should be treated as they serve as carriers of fleas that will infect the pet that is most bothered by them. Flea combs can be valuable tools to use on your pet in between baths.
Simply comb your pet with the special combs and immerse any fleas that are trapped on the comb in a jar of alcohol.
I advise my clients to use flea chemicals only on an as-needed basis. Most of the time you can control fleas following the six steps discussed above. If your pet has a very bad flea infestation, one or two applications (every two to three months) of a topical chemical spot-on product may be needed.
