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| Bella |
It's almost that time of year again. The fight begins! Those nasty little blood-sucking, creepy-crawly fleas and ticks that hitch a ride on our best friends will be hatching and hungry in the next few weeks here in Indiana. There is so much controversy over flea and tick medications, it's really scary to even think about the side effects of feeding our dogs an insecticide to kill them from the inside-out or to put the insecticide on their skins so it can spread to every pore of their body. So what can you do?
I have used Frontline on my dogs for many years and never had any problems with ticks or fleas. For whatever reason, last year it stopped working. I had a mild flea infestation in my house which really freaked me out. Daisy, who has the thickest coat, was picking them up and bringing them inside. I ended up having to give many flea baths and spray my house with a strong insecticide which I hated to do.
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| Scooter |
I cannot bring myself to use any of the other topical or pill type flea controls because there are so many reports of illness and deaths from using them. So I am going to try to go natural this year with a product line called Wondercide. I have read many good reviews but there are also a few not-so-good reviews. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Here is my plan:
1. I have purchased an all natural spray from Wondercide that contains essential oils to spray once or twice a week on each dog. You can also use this to spray on your upholstered furniture so I will spray the couch where they all nap.
2. I have a potty pen filled with pea gravel so when they need to go outside so they won't be rolling in the grass. I plan to spray their potty pen weekly with the Wondercide Natural Flea & Tick Control Concentrate for Yard & Garden. I will also be spreading food grade diatomaceous earth in and around their pen from time to time.
3. I will be using the Wondercide shampoo bar for all their baths.
4. I will be washing all my bedding & the dog's couch blankets weekly with hot water.
5. I no longer have any carpeting, but I will be vacuuming all my floors at least twice a week. I have an iRobot Roomba so that's not really a big deal.
6. The lawn will be kept short and weeds removed.
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| Carly |
I groom my dogs frequently, so I will know if they have any fleas. My husband was not too happy with the flea bites he got last year so I know I have to be vigilant in my quest for natural prevention. I would be interested in learning of any other natural preventatives that you have found to be effective! Please let me know in the comments below.
Laser Fun
Good info, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment!
ReplyDeleteHi, i live on a farm with lots of animals like squirrels ect where my 3 schnauzers can get fleas end ticks.
ReplyDeleteI tried so many natural ways to handle fleas and found that lemon grass essential oil works best for me.
There are ways to mix these oils with carrier oils, but i found that if i use it 2 times a week it really works.
I buy a good quility lemon grass oil from my pharmacy and use it as is.
One or two drops on there collars, one drop on each paw between toes, one drop on each ear, one on tummy ans one on tail.
I just rub in my with my hands so that it gets to their skin and not just on the hair.
I also wash their bedding weekly and vacuum tiles twice a week. In the mornings i throw their bedding in the sun for a while.
I also stopped feeding thw expensive kibbles about 3 years ago, and cook for my schnauzers. My one schnauzer is almost 18years old and although her teeth are bad, she is still going. Sleeps allot though.
I love your site, enjoy it allot, thanks