Natural Remedies for Fleas

Please bear in mind that natural remedies are generally only suitable when your level of flea infestation is low - or if you are trying to prevent, rather than cure. Having said that, here are some ideas for how to get rid of fleas the natural way:

• Vacuum your home frequently and seal vacuum bags before disposing.

• Wash your dog's bedding weekly in warm soapy water. This is where fleas usually breed.

• Bathing your pet weekly with a mild dog shampoo prevents flea invasion.

• Use cedar shampoo for your dog, and put cedar oil in their sleeping mats. Cedar will repel fleas and other insects.

• Fleas are attracted to dry skin, so to avoid it, give your dog Linatone oil mixed with its food. Excessive shampooing should be avoided.

• A mixture of brewer’s yeast and garlic, available in powder or tablet form, can be given in small doses to your pet. This creates an odor which fleas avoid.

• Fresh or dried pennyroyal leaves are a natural flea repellent. Sprinkle on carpets and leave for a few hours before vacuuming. Do not use if you have small children around, as they can be toxic.

• A mixture of 60 ml of lavender oil with 2.8 liters of rock salt can also be placed in areas which your dog frequents - and this in solution can also be used to wash your dog.

• Planting marigolds in the yard can be helpful as they repel certain types of bugs as well as fleas.

• Boiled lemon or orange peel in water can be used as a dip for dogs and can be used too as a soak for dog bedding for a few hours, then washed with warm soapy water.