Go Natural
Organic
flea control is a great way to combat a nasty problem in a civilized way. Sure, fleas are dirty little blood-suckers, but using harsh chemicals as your main flea removal method only puts you and your family in danger.
Pest Control from the Kitchen
Borax or Boric Acid: This cleaning powder can be a very effective organic flea control tool. If you have small children that crawl on the floor or put toys into their mouth, you may want to skip this tip or do it when they are away.
Make your own natural pest control powder by mixing eight parts Borax with one part table salt. Lightly sprinkle the powder over the carpet, under beds, and in closets and corners. Give the powder two days to work into the carpet, then vacuum thoroughly.
Citrus Repellent for Dogs: Cover a sliced lemon with boiling water and let it steep overnight in a sealed jar. Use the lemon water to spray on your dog's fur, being certain to get under the arm pits and around the base of the tail for on-the-spot organic flea control.
Fragrant Repellent for Pets: Make a green pest control repellent by combining sweet almond oil, lavender and a touch of cedarwood essential oil. Mix together and then spread a few drops over the animal's skin. This organic pest control method works best when used 2-3 times a week.
Planting certain flowers and herbs near your pets' outdoor kennel or favorite sunning spot is another sweet smelling organic flea control technique. Tansy, fennel, basil, mint, pennyroyal, wormwood, rue, pyrethrum, and marigolds are all useful natural pest control solutions.
Apple Cider Vinegar: This pantry staple has many uses, including being an effective organic flea control item. Mix equal parts vinegar and water together into a spray bottle. Spray your dog's fur, avoiding the eyes, and work it in with your hands. Fleas will hate both the smell and taste of your pup.
Brewer’s Yeast: This supplement is often given to dogs to give them a glossy coat. As it turns out, brewer's yeast is incredibly distasteful to fleas and may help keep them from pestering your pet.
Don't Try This at Home
Garlic: Many well-meaning websites tout garlic as a way to rid your pet of fleas. And while humans have many reasons to enjoy garlic in their food, animals should not. Garlic can be extremely dangerous for cats and may cause anemia in dogs. There isn't enough information out on this natural pest control suggestion to risk the life of a pet.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Hey, apple cider vinegar was our friend a few paragraphs ago! That was before someone suggested feeding it to pets as a way to repel fleas. First, it’s doubtful anyone could get a cat or dog to drink this stuff. Second, in the wrong doses or under the wrong conditions, vinegar could cause unpleasant gastrointestinal issues. Best to skip.
Green Market
Not everyone wants to mess with making their own organic pest control products. Luckily there are more and more natural items on the shelves every day.
Light Traps: A flea trap is a non-poisonous way to trap fleas. Some kits are able to attract fleas from up to 30 feet away. Traps will not completely rid a home of fleas but they can be a useful tool in your total organic flea control plan. The fleas are attracted to the trap by a combination of light and heat from a light bulb. Below the light source is a sticky surface; as the fleas jump toward the light, they land on the sticky plate and are trapped.
Diatomaceous Earth: Diatomaceous earth is a remarkable, natural flea control product made from tiny fossilized water plants. To insects, diatomaceous earth is a lethal dust with microscopic razor-sharp edges that cut. DE punctures through the flea's exoskeleton, thereby absorbing all the moisture into its bodies. To use, just sprinkle the DE in pet runs and shady areas in the yard. DE can be used indoors as a green pest control option, too. Lightly dust the carpets and then vacuum it all away in a few days’ time.