Adult Male Oropsylla Montana Flea: Image by Kat M Research, FlickrFleas can be a nasty problem in the summer, and if you own a dog, chances are you're going to have to deal with them at some point. Keep reading to find 5 home remedies to help with your flea problem.
Use A Flea Comb
Flea combs like MiracleCoat Flea Comb are specifically made to trap fleas and eggs that can be found on your dogs fur. Before you start combing your dog, get a dish of soap and water ready to have to the side while you're combing him. After combing once, immerse the comb in the soap and water, after a short time, they'll be killed and you can repeat the process.
Keeping Clean
Keeping (just about everything) clean will help you control any flea problems you might encounter this summer.
On Your Dog
Soap is a fantastic weapon against fleas and ticks. When you're ready to bathe your dog, don't soak him with water. Instead, lather him with shampoo while his fur is still dry. This will prevent the fleas from jumping off of your dog before you have a chance to apply the soap. The lather will trap and suffocate the fleas, so leave it on for as long as possible before rinsing your dog. Bathe often, and keep your dog extra clean until the flea problem has diminished.
On Your Carpet
Adult fleas lay up to 50 eggs per day, and most of the eggs end up on your carpet. When the eggs hatch, the fleas will stay there until they're developed enough to feed off of blood on their own. Luckily, this can be solved with a simple vacuum. When you vacuum up fleas, nearly 100 percent of them will die. So vacuum often and vacuum thoroughly to help control your flea problem.
In Your Yard
If fleas continue to multiply in your yard, where your dog likely spends quite a bit of his time, you'll probably never get rid of your dog's flea problem. To control this problem, it's possible to purchase microscopic roundworms called nematodes like Dr. Pye's Scanmask 7 Million Live Beneficial Nematodes that will eat the fleas and other yard pests.
Lemon: Image by Uwe HermannMake A Lemon Spray
As great as bathing your dog is for getting fleas off the fur, it does nothing to keep them from coming back after the bath. For this reason, it's good to make a homemade anti-flea spray to keep them from returning. A lemon spray will work wonders for this. Begin by making a sort of lemon tea. Cut a lemon into four pieces and let it steep with boiling water overnight. After a bath, spray the lemon spray all over your dog to prevent fleas from coming back.
Use Lavender Oil
The scent of lavender is unpleasant to fleas, and therefore, they tend to avoid it. Around your house, try purchasing a lavender candle, and spraying lavender oil on furniture and bedding. Also apply lavender to your dog by adding a couple drops of lavender oil to his shampoo, brushing it into his fur, or applying a couple drops to the base of the tail and neck.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Fleas are only one of the pet ailments that apple cider vinegar can help cure. There are three ways you can use apple cider vinegar to prevent fleas. First, try bathing your dog with equal parts apple cider vinegar and water after you're done apply shampoo. You can also try incorporating it into a spray to spray your dog daily with. Finally, mix about a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in your dog's water each day for an added effect.
With these 5 remedies, you and your dog should be happy and flea free. Any other at home remedies you've tried for fleas? Feel free to let us know in the comment section!
Savanna Y Lujan
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