The spring and summer months are flea season. Fleas flourish in temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees, with humidity in the 75 to 85 percent range.
In some locations flea season is year round. In others, the types of fleas that bother pets and people aren't considered a big problem.
If you live in an area where the little blood suckers thrive, you know controlling infestations is no laughing matter. It can often feel like a full-time job, in fact.
In order to successfully keep these parasites away from your yard, home and family members (both the two and four-legged kind), you have to attack the problem on several fronts.
Treating Your Pet
It’s believed that the dangers of chemical flea prevention products (sprays, powders, collars, dips, shampoos, pills, etc.) outweigh the benefits unless your pet’s health or comfort is being compromised.
Fortunately, with a little extra effort, it’s possible to keep your pet flea-free using safe, natural alternatives to “spot on” and similar types of toxic chemicals.
As mentioned above, the flea comb is your number one weapon against the adult fleas on your pet that are busy making more fleas.
Work with a holistic veterinarian that can provide you with flea-fighting guidance as well as a number of different products for safe pest control.
Other suggestions:
•Essential oil sprays containing lavender, peppermint, geranium, lemongrass or citronella can be very effective as parasite deterrents. You need to purchase a pre-blended product or work with an animal aromatherapist to make sure you’re using safe oils at the correct concentration. Dog and cat doses are different, and many cats are extremely sensitive to oils, so don’t guess.
•Fresh garlic can be given to dogs and cats to prevent internal as well as external parasites. Processed garlic has lost the quantity of allicin needed to repel pests. Work with your holistic vet to determine a safe amount for your pet’s body weight. You may have to start with considerably less than that amount if your kitty is finicky, then build up gradually to the recommended amount.
•Make sure your pet is getting B vitamins, preferably from natural sources like raw meat. If you want to use a supplement, a whole food B complex vitamin is a better choice than a synthetic variety. Brewer’s yeast (high in B vitamins) is often recommended to bolster vitamin B levels, but because many pets have allergies that are exacerbated by yeast, its not recommended to use brewer’s yeast for allergic animals.
•You can put both food grade diatomaceous earth and cedar oil directly on your pet’s skin and coat. Follow label or package instructions on proper application. You can also add DE into your pet’s food.
•Ectopamine Spray is a relatively new all natural product made from essential oils that is working well for many pet owners.
•For pets with a serious case of flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), which means they are hyper sensitive to flea saliva, check out a drug called Comfortis. It’s a chemical, unfortunately, but it’s considered the “greenest” of all similar drugs. I’ve yet to see a reaction to Comfortis in an FAD-afflicted patient.
