Organic flea control takes some time and work, but is effective, and in my opinion much safer and healthier for your pets. In severe infestations be sure to ask the advice of a vet, but be wary of using too many chemicals as these can have harsh affects on your animals as well.
The first thing you need to do is understand the life cycle of the flea. Their life cycle can range from a couple weeks to a year in pupal stage if conditions are right. Once the female lays her eggs, they will hatch into larva, they in turn spin a cocoon and pupate. Emerging later as adults looking for a host. So when you have a flea infestation, killing the adult fleas is only a part of the battle.
I have heard it recommended to feed cats and dogs both garlic and brewers yeast as a means to flea control. However, in my own experience, this doesn’t seem to help much. And there seems to be some controversy on the safety of feeding garlic to animals. What seemed to help better and get the flea situation under control and eventually eradicated was an arduous series of tasks.
First you need to fall in love with cleaning. And I mean a lot! Vacuum no less than TWICE a week. And vacuum THOROUGHLY! Make sure you get under everything, and in every little crack and corner. After vacuuming take the bag or canister outside and dump or place it in a plastic bag, seal it real well and throw in outside trash. Don’t leave it in the house as any critters you vacuumed up will hop out! You will need to do this for months! Every week make sure you vacuum all furniture, including under cushions. Wash all pet bedding once a week as well. Be sure to wash in hot water and put on a drier cycle for at least an hour. If you can, get some cedar bedding (available at most pet stores), and sprinkle some UNDER the furniture cushions and under the blankets of you pets bed/sleeping area. The cedar will help deter the fleas from staying there.
While I normally do not recommend bathing cats, in extreme infestations it seems to help. You can use a couple things on your cat to help them. Please be careful of any product you use on a cat, as they may try to lick it off and even “safe” products can have an adverse effect. Don’t use anything with “oils” in it, as they can be harmful to kitties. I have seen many products on the shelf advertised as safe for cats and upon further research found those oils are toxic to cats. When I inquired about it, I was told by one store owner “its only a small amount” (what?!!!)
I have used a calendula hydrosol with much success on areas that itched so bad they became raw and irritated. A catnip hydrosol is beneficial as it helps to calm your kitty as well as acts like a mild insect repellant. On cats and dogs you can make a “tea” from goldenseal to help their skin as well as chase fleas off them. A tea from dried lemongrass is also very effective. I also like to sprinkle dried lemongrass in their sleeping areas. I have also used dried lemon grass under the shavings in my rabbits’ houses to help deter any fleas from wanting to take up residence there. I also sprinkle dried lemongrass in the bottom of my sugar glider cages, not only as a preventive maintenance to fleas, but also to keep ants away, and it smells nice! (click here for dried lemongrass)
After you vacuum, sprinkle salt (yes, salt, regular salt) and diatomaceous earth on your carpets. Be sure to use FOOD GRADE diatomaceous earth, and use care to not inhale it or get it in anyone’s eyes!
The next thing you need to do is get a flea trap! This is a simple device that works wonders catching the adult fleas. There are many different styles out there. The most effective one has a small light bulb that is suspended above a super sticky surface. The bulb emits light and heat and attracts the flea and they get stuck on the pad. They truly work and no chemicals!
Depending on your infestation it may take months or a year to get the fleas to go. But keep at it and you will win the war!
If you have any advice that needs to be added to this to help others, please be sure to email me! Thanks!
article added 5-28-10
