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