Natural Treatments or Preventions for Fleas or Ticks

Neem oil works- add some to the shampoo when you bathe them.

eculyptus is very good for getting rid of fleas

Hello Onerygirl, I am also very sensitive to avoiding chemicals on my dogs. Once per year (every Autumn), our dogs do get a flea bath. This is to kill any eggs that may be lying dormant. We have alot of wild rabbits scurrying through our property, who almost always carry fleas. The rest of the year (especially spring/summer) I keep our furry friends flea-free by this simple effort: In 4oz. water I mix 10 drops of 100% pure tea-tree oil, 2 drops of pure eucalyptus essential oil and 5 drops of pure lemongrass essential oil. I let the oils sit in the water for about 10 minutes, then dip a soft cloth into the blend, wring out, then wipe down the dogs -- paying close attention to the neck/shoulder, ear, and foot/leg areas. It only takes a few minutes to wipe down all five dogs. And, I re-apply every couple of weeks. I swear by this botanical fusion. Our dogs haven't had fleas in years!

The following recipes can be wonderful remedies. Since they are all natural, they will only help repel fleas, ticks and flies etc. and must be applied more frequently as well. Herbal Critter Repellent Mix: Dried peppermint, eucalyptus, bay leaf herbs, marjoram, eucalyptus, rosemary, sage, clove buds. Crush your botanicals well and fill a muslin bag or use it in the cedar chip mixture of your dogs bed. The muslin bags can be placed near your dogs bedding area. Tick Spritzer Blend: 2 drops of Lavender, Basil, Lemon, Opponax, Eucalyptus 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon vodka 1 cup of dried marjoram, eucalyptus, rosemary 1- 2 cups of water Flea Spritzer Blend: 2 drops of cedarwood, lemongrass, rose geranium 1 teaspoon AVC (apple cider vinegar) 1 teaspoon vodka 1 cup of dried peppermint, eucalyptus, bay leaf herbs 1- 2 cups of water Add the essential oils and vodka in a bottle, tighten the lid and shake well. Once the mixture blended (should turn white), add apple cider vinegar. If you have some herbs mentioned above you can make an herbal tea to use in your spritzer. Boil 2-4 cups of water and remove from heat. Add your dried herbs in the water and let is simmer for 30 minutes. Once cool, drain and use instead of plain water in your spritzer. If you are using an herbal tea, this mixture must be kept in the refrigerator as the herbal teas have the tendency to go bad faster. Once you have your spritzer you can use this by gently spraying it in to your dogs coat, legs, tummy and back. Rub it in well and apply it as necessary. Do not use any of the essential oils on your dogs face or around nose, ears and eyes. Respect the sensitive nose he/she has and go easy when using aromatic substances such as essential oils.

All the home remedies people will give you are only going to repel the fleas temporarily. They aren't going to get rid of them, nor will they keep the especially determined from biting. The topical flea medications are not unsafe to put on your pet and shouldn't cause you any trouble. The benefit of those is that they repel as well as kill fleas so that your dogs will not be bit. In order to get rid of fleas you have to treat your yard, the inside of your home, as well as the pets themselves. . otherwise they'll keep coming back year after year after year. .

I don't have an answer but would be interested to know. I have 2 cats. The baby was abandoned, malnutrition & covered in fleas. I have put her thru many flea baths & you know how much cats like water. I don't like chemical either so I'm always looking for natural treatments.