Yesterday, we were sitting outside drinking our morning tea when a black cat sprinted across our apartment building's common courtyard. "C'mere cat," we whispered. He was so cute, and we wanted to pet him. He stopped at the sound of our voice, and then he started to scratch. Vigorously. He soon walked away, and we were glad he'd ignored us. Those were not casual feel-good scratches, but ones that spoke to a more common issue: fleas.
Humans get colds, pets get fleas. Sure we're happy when our dogs snuggle up to us after a romp in the dog park or when our cats are suddenly affectionate after disappearing for a solitary walk around the neighborhood. We're less happy when they've brought a load of ankle-biting fleas into the house. Before resorting to a truckload of chemical products, consider these tactics:
- Keep your pet well-fed and well-exercised: A healthy pet is less likely to be a target. Add garlic to your dog's food; brewer's yeast to your cats. Both of these are rumored to reduce a flea's attraction to your pet.
- Keep your pet well-groomed: Besides being a way to get quality time with your pet (many like to be brushed even if they may shy away from bathing), it's a good way to keep abreast of your pet's health, from possible flea infestations and other skin issues to dental problems. A little tea tree oil, strongly diluted, may kill off a flea infection on a dog. We recently discovered that diatomaceous earth, a product we've been using in our home for years to kill bugs, can also be used on pets. Made from the skeletons of crushed microscopic animals, it kills bugs by dehydrating them.
- Keep your pet's bedding clean: You wash your linens every week, so why not take the same care with your pet's bed? Lavender has been said to repel fleas. It may also make your pet sleep more restfully at night.
- Deep clean your home: Once the fleas get in, only a deep cleaning will get them out. Wash everything and thoroughly vacuum your carpets and upholstered furniture (then chuck the vacuum bag immediately). If your infestation is particularly bad, you may also want to sprinkle diatomaceous earth on your carpets and furniture and let it sit for a few days and then vacuum again.
Have you ever had a flea infestation? What were your tricks for handling it?
[image: homer4k's Flickr, with a Creative Commons License]
Be careful with garlic! It can be TOXIC to dogs and cats in large amounts: http://www.vetinfo.com/dtoxin.html
That said, I had a massive flea infestation last year at this time thanks to the neighbor's backyard dogs that he's never had vetted. I would come inside with fleas all OVER the bottom of my pants. I'd never seen anything like it. The Frontline Plus (recommended by vet) was no match, and it made my greyhound throw up massively. I have an organic garden and was not ok with spreading pesticides on my lawn or in the house. I did some research on www.dirtdoctor.com and decided to try a combination of the following things:
-orange oil cleaning solution (sprayed on bedding/rugs)
-food grade diatomaceous earth--NOT the kind for swimming pools (on the lawn, on the dogs and cats' fur, sprinkled on the couch and rugs and then vacuumed up, and also in their food as a natural de-wormer)
-beneficial nematodes on the lawn
-massive amounts of cleaning with orange oil, vacuuming every day, laundering everything, and pet baths (Dawn dishwashing detergent or Dr. Bronner's kills fleas)
The beneficial nematodes were really amazing. I'd say the fleas were 80% gone in the lawn after 2 weeks of application, and the bonus is that they also kill roaches, termites, and fire ants! I re-applied them in the spring and this year in the fall and I haven't seen a single flea (and the neighbor still has those flea-ridden dogs). The diatomaceous earth/orange oil/cleaning seemed to work very well in the house, too.
There is an abundance of info an all of these products/tactics on the web!
view sleepypasture's profile
Our indoor cat has never got fleas...
view Rebekkap's profile
Wow, thanks sleepypasture!
I'm currently struggling with fleas and having been trying to find alternatives to bombing my apartment. From reseaching food grade diatomaceous earth, I think I've found the solution I've been needing for my situation.
view bebeh's profile
i ve had 2 indoors cats , for 8 years , they never had fleas
thk God
view Moorish Girl's profile
@bebeh No problem! I hope my struggle last year can help you and others. I bought a 50lb bag of diatomaceous earth from my local natural gardening center. You can spread it around evenly by taking a large jar w/ lid and poking medium-sized holes in the lid. Fill the jar 1/2 full with DE and put the lid on, and then shake it on carpets, couches, etc. Leave on for 2-3 days and then vacuum up. Wear a mask though, because it's dusty and drying and not great for the lungs. Good luck!
view sleepypasture's profile
my indoor cat has never had fleas either (he's been on advantage multi since he was a kitten).
view witchbaby's profile
tea tree oil can be toxic for cats, please be careful!
view jess thrift's profile
My husband and I actually just got through a small infestation on our two indoor cats (we inadvertently brought them home from another infested house). Store-bought chemicals did nothing but smell bad and make the cats' fur greasy. Yuck! Plus the fleas hadn't gone away at all.
Apple cider vinegar, however, seems to have done the trick! I put just a little in their water (1 tsp or less for 3 liters in a bubbler) and then rubbed them down with paper towels dampened with undiluted cider vinegar. A little residual dirt came off the last few times, and I'll sweep them both again, but there are no fleas in sight so far.
The cats don't mind the vinegar in their water, but they do NOT like the smell when you rub them down. Wipe them down like you're petting them, with a wide hand covered by the vinegar towel, and get as much of them as possible, including bellies and tails. Our longhair tends to groom immediately after being rubbed down and has shown no ill effects - in fact, it made his fur incredibly soft!
Happy New Year, all!
view Fala Redwing's profile