How To Treat and Prevents Fleas In Your Puppy or Dog

Fleas can get out of control easily.  I prefer natural remedies over chemicals when at all possible.  To many horror stories about flea collars and monthly ‘poisons’ – see info I have collected and do you own research.

Inside your house
To help break the flea life cycle do this weekly
When your dog has fleas wash him / her – one product to considered is citrus Castile soap each week.  I like dawn as it cuts the oils in the coat also.  Lather and leave on about 10 minutes to ‘drown’ the fleas.  Rinse well then follow by a final rinse with ACV (apple cider vinegar) - 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water.
Diatomaceous earth (DE) - kills insects naturally by desiccating them – essentially cutting them so the dry out. Get food grade DE (not pool use ) rub into your dog’s coat and sprinkle around his bedding and place he spends the most time. Since it is a dust just be gentle spreading it. Try not to breath it or get into either of your eyes as it is an irritant. Use ‘yee ole mask’ we all seem to have these days….
Apply to your floors – sweep into cracks in wood floors and around the edge near baseboards wait 48 hours then vacuum your carpets and floors. Pay special attention to any places your dog hangs out since the fleas will also. Toss vacuum bag or empty canister – no flea / eggs hatching allowed…
In your yard
If fleas aren’t in your yard, they’re less likely to find their way onto your dog.
Nematodes are tiny worm-like multicellular animals that live in soil. They can help control many garden pests like ants, termites and grubs and fleas!
You can buy them at many garden centers and online in early spring. Nematodes are alive so please use them quickly after they arrive. Apply them in the spring, summer and fall for effective coverage. Spray them throughout your yard using a hose sprayer or watering can.
 
Keep pots of lemon balm, sage, rosemary, catnip, lemongrass, basil and mint outside. Place some by your main doors and throughout your yard. These plants help repel fleas through the natural oils that they secrete. They’ll deter fleas from entering the house.
 
Internally your dog
Fleas don’t like a dog who is pH balanced.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV organic unfiltered full mother – that cloudy stuff in the bottom of the bottle is important) creates a more acidic environment outside. Taken orally it can balance alkalinity.
Always mix with water or food.
½ teaspoon of ACV per day per 25 lbs. ACV contains important nutrients, vitamins, minerals, vital acids and potassium.
Externally = Make a spray
Your dog’s skin and coat should be slightly acidic to deter fleas. Spray your dog each week

• 4 oz warm water
• 6 oz ACV, unfiltered and preferably organic
• ¼ tsp of sea salt or pink Himalayan salt

Mix the ingredients in a small spray bottle and spray your dog’s coat and underbelly weekly. Please not in the eyes or any open wounds.



Flea and tick season
A warning
The FDA Report

 FDA stated that flea and tick medications are causing neurological issues in pets. The symptoms most often reported include muscle tremors, ataxia and seizures.
    The FDA stated that flea and tick meds are causing neurological issues in pets. The symptoms most often reported include muscle tremors, ataxia and seizures.
The side effects reported for these drugs are:
   Tremors  Seizures  Ataxia  Vomiting  Diarrhea   Loss of appetite   Skin irritations    Lethargy

Seresto flea collars introduced in 2012 – the EPA has received reports of close to 1700 pet deaths with 75,000 incidence reports related to the collar with close to 1,000 reports involving human harm. 
As always, I suggest you do your own research - I’ve added this to encourage your education. We’ve personally had many of our customers tell us of bad reactions and near-death experiences with their dogs.
This applies to other / all  brands also in my opinion.

All flea and tick preventatives are toxic, they’re made to kill insects after all.
I really don't like chemicals and our gardening is all organic. if you don't have a big flea problem I'd avoid the chemicals.  while monthly heartguard is basically a non negotiable and necessary evil some things can be avoided.   there are flea treatments that are safer. when we see fleas a good bath with dawn and let the suds soak at east 10 minutes to drown the fleas. daily inspection for ticks during the spring months are simple enough.

Make your own flea spray -

Use Essential Oils Safely        Do the research and make your own spray or powder!
Essential oils can be great for natural flea control … but use caution with products that contain undiluted essential oils. Essential oils should always be diluted with a carrier oil before using them on your dog. Examples of carrier oils are:
    Sweet almond oil    Grapeseed oil        Jojoba oil          Coconut oil   Apricot kernel oil 
Avocado oil

Essential Oil Flea Repellent Spray
Spray your dog once he’s dried off from his bath. Start with a carrier oil.  To each 1 ml of carrier oil, add one drop of one of these flea-repelling essential oils.
Chances are, if the product comes in a tiny bottle, the oils are undiluted so dilute them yourself before putting them on your dog. Here are some essential oils that are safe flea repellents when diluted:
    Lavender    Lemon   Palmarosa      Cedar (atlantica)   Eucalyptus radiate      Clary sage   Peppermint
AVOID pennyroyal - citronella oil - close essential oil - wintergreen essential oil - geraniol essential oil and thyme essential oil as skin irritants  most are toxic if swallowed
Natural Flea Powder

You can also try this easy to make natural flea powder.
What you need:
Diatomaceous Earth (DE)   NEEM (dry form)   Yarrow
    1 shaker bottle (cleaned out)
How to make it:
    Mix the 3 ingredients together
    Rub the mixture into your dog’s coat
Use some caution with Diatomaceous Earth as it can be irritating to your dog’s mucous membranes. Once the dust settles however, there is no harm.