We have three cats and one dog so keeping on top of the flee population as a constant battle. I don't like the chemical toxins such as Frontline that are freely available. Not only do I find them ineffective but they are very expensive.
I read that using essential oils on cats is a big no no, although it may be safe on dogs, also citrus juice spray for dogs is another option that I have read about. In your experience what are safe alternatives to chemical flee repellants for cats and dogs?
Thanks
James
PS Dexter is a very happy swimmer which helps keep his flea populous down!
just found this data sheet, and it looks like if we use it as a spray here we might need to do it more often as UV and high temperatures break down the pyrethrins:
yes, it's of the chrysanthemum genus. The reason we wanted to plant it was to use as a companion plant to keep pests off our more precious plants. I've just checked on wiki and it says that the flowers should be dried and then crushed and mixed with water to use as a spray.
Is that the daisy like chrysanthemum? If so, we're gonna have some.
We are burning citronella oil day and night to keep the flies and other flying beasties down. I have been looking for lemon grass plants to grow my own but have had no luck and guess I should get a friend to send me some seed over from the UK some time. Certainly a solution of well boiled citronella, diluted down helps a bit, certainly seems to reduce the number of ticks but doesn't do a lot for flea control.
elsewhere on sfn there is a bit of discussion about fipronil, a chemical in flea & tick treatments.
And just while I was writing a reply, I recall that in good old kiwiland, we used to buy natural pyrethrum - water it down and spray it around our house, in the dog kennels, in dark corners etc. Twice a year. We noticed a significant drop in the number of flies in the house (and NZ flies are just as plentiful as Australian flies) because they didn't like the smell. There is a 'fresh' smell immediately after spraying which disappears quickly, but as a natural alternative to other chemicals it was brilliant. This year we are growing (must check this as it could have been washed away in all the rain) pyrethrum, having found seeds in one of the garden centres. If it succeeds, we'll see what we can do by using the flowers dried, crunched, etc. Might be an option for others.
enter 'buy neem leaves' on your search engine... I buy the oil on a market stall, no doubt the woman who has it will know. I'll ask her next time I go, but may be a few weeks.
If you try the powder, here's the link to the neem leaf powder I bought. You can get it anywhere though - ebay etc. You just put 1 tsp in about 200ml of hot water in a jar and leave it overnight. Then filter out the bits (I used a coffee filter) and rub all over the dog/cat once or twice a week when it starts to warm up. I don't use anything in the winter months.
It smells abit like TCP but works better than frontline and it's safe! Keep the solution in the fridge and it lasts for ages - I just remake it when the liquid starts to look abit cloudy. You can also make a thick paste with the powder and put direct on wounds to disinfect but it may sting. Suitable for humans too!
Hi James! We had a ginger cat named Dexter, but lost him soon after moving to the Lot. We strongly suspect that hunters took him out, the bar stewards. But maybe he wandered down to Dax! I don't recall him liking water, though. I've never, never seen a cat swimming quite happily like yours. In-croy-able! We've never found an effective natural flea repellant, but I might try the neem oil if I can get hold of some.
I make neem leaf tea and use that to discourage fleas - twice a week in the summer just rub all over the cat, once a week or much less in winter (if at all). Smells a bit antiseptic but that goes after a few hours. Make a batch and keep in the fridge - keeps for ages and costs nothing. Works by upsetting the fleas systems so they forget to eat, breed and die quickly.
Works pretty well to dissuade most critters (mites, aoutats etc) that cause itching and works great for dogs too.
If the cat/dog already has fleas, there's also diatomaceous earth which you can rub into the animal's fur and put in bedding, rugs etc where fleas like to hide. It scratches the fleas so they dehydrate and die. Totally safe. Find it in most hardware stores and also used as a filter material for pools so pretty cheap.
If your dogs are not too sensitive use fine ground white pepper rubbed well in but kept away from eyes and ears. Neem oil good for both but ticks become resistant to it after a while, so not always the best. Lavender for fleas only, a good strong jet of water often helps too.
James, I think you mean flea population? and I've never seen 'freely available' frontline! costs a fortune! An old friend of mine used to give her dogs garlic tablets every day and swore by them. I've also heard lavender can help but don't know how to apply it. Clean bedding also helps - shake daily, let the sun on it, and wash at least weekly (and not weakly! - sorry, couldn't resist)
Diluted neem oil in a squirty bottle works for us; you can buy a titchy bottle on the internet and it lasts for ages - works on dogs, cats, sheep... and it combats fleas, ticks and other creepies
