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Fleas, Ticks, Mosquitos! Those pesty parasites!
 Fleas,
ticks and other parasites are attracted to animals in a weakened or
run-down condition and they usually leave the healthier pets alone. One
of the best ways to parasite-proof your pet is to improve the overall
health of your pet.
Good food
is essential to good health. While it seems more expensive in
the beginning, a high quality diet is an investment that pays off in the
long run. Many believe that the flea allergies suffered by so many
animals are related to a weak immune system. A change in diet helps to
improve immunity, and many holistic practitioners suggest adding enzymes
and supplements to improve pet health. Below are some tips:
Repellant Recipes:
Lemon Spray:
Take a large lemon (the thicker the rind the
better!) and slice it paper thin. Place the slices in a bowl and add a
tablespoon of crushed rosemary leaves (or a sprig of fresh). Pour over,
a quart of hot, nearly boiling, water. Steep overnight. Strain and put
into a large spray bottle. Refrigerate. Shake well before applying – do
not wet the coat, lightly mist.
Bandit's Flea Buster Spray:
8 Oz Water, 4-6 Drops of
Tea Tree Oil, 4-6 Drops of
Lavender Oil. Keep in the refrigerator, shake
well before using and spray lightly, do not soak the coat.
Eucalyptus Spray:
¼ teaspoon of
Eucalyptus Oil in a 8 ounce spray bottle.
Fill with water. Spray your house with the mist. Spray the carpet,
furniture, car, pet beds, everywhere your pet lays down.
Herbal Flea Repellant Powder:
recipe from "All You Ever Wanted to Know about
Herbs for Pets" by Mary Wullf-Tilford, 1 part Diatamacous Earth, 2
parts Feverfew flowers, 2 parts Mullein flowers, 2 parts yarrow
flowers, 1 part sage or thyme.
Tick Removal:
When you find a tick, carefully remove the entire tick from the pet’s
body using tweezers or a tick scoop. Tick scoops, are available at most
pet supply stores. To remove a tick using tweezers, grasp the tick as
close to the skin as possible by trying to grip its head. Steadily pull
up until it releases its grip on your pet. Do not squeeze to the point
of crushing the tick. If the head is left in the skin, use a sterile
needle to remove the head similar to how you would remove a splinter.
Wash the tick bite and your hands with soap and water. Note: The old
wives tails that says using petroleum jelly, alcohol and a hot match do
not work to loosen ticks from the skin. Remember: Ticks do not drown
in water, so get rid of them by wrapping in tissue and flushing them
down the toilet, or drown them in rubbing alcohol or tea tree oil.
Crushing a tick risks the spread of disease.
Flea
Removal:
The best way to remove them is with a flea comb. Dabbing
the comb with some petroleum jelly will help make the fleas stick to its
tines, but it will make the coat oily! Drown the fleas in soapy water.
Tips on Flea and Tick Control:
*Nematodes:
Spread nematodes in affected areas of the yard. These worms help
eliminate fleas by feeding on flea larva.
This
is non-toxic and appears to be effective. These worms are sold by
various companies. Treat areas which stay warm and moist.
*Diatomaceous
Earth: Spread diatomaceous earth
outside in the areas where your pet is active. DE is a non-toxic, safe
substance made from crushed fossils of freshwater organisms and marine
life. It is crushed into a fine powder. Observed through a microscope,
the particles resemble bits of broken glass. It is deadly to any
crawling insect and completely harmless to animals or food. Most insects
have a waxy outer shell covering their bodies. DE scratches through the
shell causing the insect to dehydrate leading to eventual death.
Please note that DE (natural diatomaceous
earth) for pets and pests is NOT the same as the swimming pool DE.
Swimming pool DE is NOT SAFE for use on pets or in your yard. Please
purchase your DE from your local organic nursery or look on-line.
*Clean
Bedding: Wash pet bedding weekly
and consider spritzing it with a natural flea/tick repellant between
washing.
Tips
on Mosquito Control:
 Natural
Ways to Repel Mosquitos
Plants that Repel Mosquitos
Mosquito
Barrier
Peppermint Oil
Research
by malaria experts suggest that the herb extract can not only repel
adult mosquitoes, but kill their larvae before they even hatch.
Click here for the rest of the article
Catnip Repels Mosquitoes More Effectively Than
DEET.
Click here for the full article
Flea Control without Poisons
Dealing
with Fleas Holistically
Flea Insecticides
Natural
Flea Control
Aromatherapy and Essential
Oils Use in Cats
Safety of Spot-On Flea Killers
Holistic
Flea Care |
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