There’s nothing like a flea to ruin a dog’s good time!
If fleas are making your dog miserable, then there’s only one thing you can do: find the flea’s number one enemy. And no, it’s not a flea collar. It’s not flea powder either.
Let me explain….
Evolution has given fleas quite a few advantages
This is what makes them so tough to get rid of. You see, the flea is a very adaptable and resilient little pests (not unlike the cockroach–ugh).
What advantages do fleas have? There are three major ones:
- First of all, small as they may be, fleas have an immune system. And they will develop immunity to any kind of pesticide you use on them. It may take a few generations before this happens, but it doesn’t take all that long for fleas to reproduce, so a few generations is nothing in “flea time”.
- Second, fleas go through several stages of development, referred to as a “life cycle”. During the fleas life cycle, it progresses from egg to larva to pupa, to adult flea. Trouble is, only the adult and larval fleas are susceptible to attack. Flea eggs and cocoons can live quite comfortably through a “bug bomb”, or in the presence of flea collars and powders.
- Third, fleas don’t live just on your dog. It would be great if they did, because we’d only have to deal with our pet and we’d be done. We all understand that dogs pick up fleas outdoors, and that every time they step outside, dogs are tasty targets for fleas inhabiting the yard, woods, etc. So, we know there’s danger lurking outside. But you might figure that once a flea hops on board, it’ll live out its life cycle on your pet. To some extent, that’s true.
Initially, fleas lay their eggs on their host. But, most of the eggs don’t stay there. They fall off, landing on the floor, in the carpet, and back in the yard! And we’re not talking about just a few eggs. A single flea can lay 10 to 50 eggs a day, and can live as long as 100 days. That’s as many as 2000 eggs in the lifetime of a single flea. Imagine the possibilities…
Here’s another disturbing (and pretty disgusting) fact about fleas: when they bite, they inject a tiny amount of saliva into your dog. It acts as a blood thinner, making the blood easier to extract, but this also can be a means of spreading diseases and tapeworms. And it certainly isn’t good for allergy-prone dogs, who can develop rashes and hot spots.
==========The Trouble with Traditional Methods==========
Convention has it that dogs should wear flea collars. If that doesn’t work, sprinkle her with flea powder. And, of course, fumigate the house and yard. We’ve already discussed one problem with that approach, which is that fleas become immune to all pesticides sooner or later, so you must continually change products. But the other problem is more serious. It’s the fact that all pesticides are poisons. They weaken your dog’s immune system, making him an even tastier target for fleas. And they can make him sick in other ways too.
Poison is poison, no matter how you package it. (Yes the “spot-on” products are full of toxins too) And in your fight to eradicate fleas, you’ll end up spreading poisons all over your yard, around your home, and –through his skin–into your dog’s vital organs. Sure, no more fleas, but at what cost to everyone’s health?
========So, what’s a dog lover to do?===========
Fortunately, there’s an answer. What most of us aren’t told is that there are natural substances that fleas can’t tolerate, and that are actually lethal to fleas. One of these is call “diatomaceous earth”, or “DE”.
DE is composed of finely milled fossilized shells of minuscule organisms called diatoms. The microscopically fine, sharp edges dry out the insects’ outer shell on contact and fleas will dehydrate and die within hours.
The insects also die when they eat the dust. And it works on lots of other pests besides fleas! What’s great about DE is that your dog (or cat) can eat it and it won’t hurt her at all. And since it works by dehydration, fleas can’t become immune to it
DE can be purchased as a powder and sprinkled on your pet and around your home. Don’t leave out that most important step! Sprinkle the floors, furniture and carpeting. Sprinkle your dog’s bedding and any place he likes to “hang out”, since that’s where the most fleas will accumulate. Be sure to get underneath
the furniture, because fleas like to hide out in dark places.
While vacuuming and washing the floors often is helpful, unless you can do it daily, it won’t be enough. You should also know that fleas that get sucked into the vacuum bag can live and reproduce there, so be sure to vacuum up some DE powder too, to kill off fleas in the bag.
===========What about my dog’s irritated skin?===========
All that scratching and those powders can leave a dog’s skin pretty irritated. Well, Mother Nature has something for that too…
Neem seed oil is a very bitter oil with a garlic/sulfur smell and contains vitamin E and other essential amino acids. It’s completely natural, and has been used as a botanical pesticide for years. When used on fleas and other pests, it impairs their development. Added bonuses are an antibacterial property, and a soothing effect on the skin.( Humans have been know to use Neem oil as an anti-arthritis and anti-wrinkle formula!)
Comb the oil through your dog’s coat with a flea comb to help distribute it to both coat and skin. Now, your dog is not only free of fleas, but her skin feels better too.
Essential oils are another natural and effective way of repelling fleas. Cedar, tea tree, citronella, eucalyptus and pennyroyal, (the last two are toxic to cats) are all repulsive to fleas and can be obtained at most stores that sell herbal remedies. There are also essential oil blends containing Neem oil. Just dab a drop of the essential oil on your dog’s collar, and mist it — diluted with water– onto her coat. Or, buy a pre-formulated spray and mist her to drive fleas away.
If your pet is already suffering from flea bites and itchy skin, herbal sprays will help soothe irritated skin. They contain aloe, which we all know is great for burns and hot spots!
b>Bathing your dog is also an effective, safe and natural way to get rid of fleas, using a neem or oatmeal based shampoo if her skin is irritated. “Bathe” her bedding too, by washing it weekly in hot soapy water. A flea comb will help you find their hiding spots.
==========What about the yard?==========
You can sprinkle DE powder here too, or apply it with a sprayer. Another option is to use “beneficial ematodes”. Nematodes are microscopic soil worms that attack white grubs, fleas and crickets. They can be purchased from nurseries and similar outlets, mixed with water and sprayed on the breeding areas.
In order for the nematodes to survive, the soil must remain relatively moist and watered at least twice weekly. Beneficial nematodes do not harm plants, animals, humans or birds. Concentrate your spraying within 50 feet of where your dog “hangs out”, since that’s where the most fleas are found.
=========Ready to go high tech?==========
So far we’ve been taking the all-natural approach. But these days, there’s a gadget for everything, and killing fleas is no exception. An “Electronic Flea Zapper Comb” which relies on a safe, low electric charge that is harmless to you and your pet, is reportedly “instantly deadly to fleas.
Does it work? I can’t honestly tell you, but I love the idea! One of these days I’ll get around to trying one!
As for the rest, these are time-honored methods for combating fleas and I can vouch for their effectiveness. Don’t forget that any method you choose will work best if you start using it about a month before flea season begins. And use it continuously once you’ve spotted fleas on your pet. That way, you’ll be sure you catch all fleas that survived as eggs and pupae, by being ready for them as they enter the vulnerable stages of their life cycle — larval and adult fleas.
==========Yippee!! No more fleas!!===========
I know all of this may seem like a lot of work, but in the end, it’s well worth it. Your dog will have no fleas, and will suffer no harmful side effects from collars and traditional powders. What’s more worthwhile than having a happy, healthy dog who’s thrilled to be alive?
© 2004, Carolyn Schweitzer. Lifelong dog-lover, power-shopper, and former family dentist Carolyn Schweitzer is owner and editor of Great-Dog-Gift.com where she offers a wide range of choices for dog gift shoppers, plus shopping and gift-giving tips. (Also advice on dog care and feeding.)
Visit the site to view the full illustrated article and learn where to find natural flea control products
You can reach Carolyn by email at netbrainer@verizon.net.
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