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tagsWell, flea season is here again. This year I've decided to take a more proactive approach. Some of the methods I'm applying fall in line with my general belief that "everything you need is right here on earth." Since that statement can be easily misinterpreted I guess what I really mean is that you can really grow (or finding growing) all the things you need for remedying life's problems.
For instance, rosemary hydrosol is the best hair conditioner I've ever had, hyssop tea has cleared up my sinuses like no other medicine, and valerian has helped my husband get the rest he needs.
It really is amazing that life's "solutions" don't have to come prepackaged at your local pharmacy.
Anywho, I've been hunting through all of my natural cleaning and pet care books for flea solutions. Tonight I made Shiloh a flea repellent herbal pillow. To make this I threw a variety of dry herbs into a bowl, broke them up with my hands and then stuffed it all into a folded over cloth that had been sewn together on three edges.
The herbs I used included rue, sage, lavender, rosemary and mint. These herbs were part of the suggested herbs for repelling fleas list found on page 240 of Better Basics for the Home.
I've also been applying a cornstarch + rosemary + mint powder to the cats and dog. I got this recipe out of the same book. I've also been doing the typical wash bedding on hot and vacuum often, but I thought it would be to share how plants can help reduce flea problems.
Oh and I almost forgot, tansy is a great flea repellent and I happen to be growing a lot of it.
I've yet to try it out on shiloh but I'm guessing its good! Hopefully its doing some good in the yard. Deterring fleas from your yard helps a lot too.
Responses
Oh and I love Dr.Bronner's soap. I didn't know it came in Eucalyptus. I'll have to get some.
One of the books refer to is Clean House, Clean Planet.
To utilize my surplus of herbs I also occasionally make a Four Thieves Vinegar and use that as a household cleaner:
The Vinegar of the Four Thieves -
* 2 quarts of apple cider vinegar
* 2 tablespoons lavender
* 2 tablespoons rosemary
* 2 tablespoons sage
* 2 tablespoons wormwood
* 2 tablespoons rue
* 2 tablespoons mint
Combine dried herbs and vinegar in a one-gallon jar with lid, and let sit for 6 weeks, shaking daily. Then strain out the herbs. Stored in a cool place, like the refrigerator, or it can be preserved by canning.Don't forget to date and label it. Put it in spray bottles to use as a household sanitizer.
....so far my herbal approach to flea treatment has been more effective for our dog than our cats. But Shiloh recently got a bath so that might not be a fair comparison.
The mosquitoes are terrible this year so I'm trying a new recipe I got from a dog group:
Thinly slice 4 lemons. Pour one quart of boiling water
over the lemons, add two sprigs of rosemary and let steep over night. Strain it the next day, pour into a spray bottle and add 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol.
At least I can spray it all over without fear of what chemicals I'm inhaling. What I've been finding is that the herbal approach works well over the long term and if you are proactive with it. It's not like grabbing the nearest mega chemical spray can and watching bugs drop dead all around you. It may take a little longer to get results but if you stick with it, it usually works. I use diatomaceous earth for ants near the foundation of my house. At first it looks like nothing is happening but in a couple of hours they're gone. I use a small amount only where the ants are located. The rain washes it away and no one is harmed (except the ants). Of course I'm always careful to not do this on a windy day so I don't breathe the dust.
Jennifer
Your recipe for mosquitoes sounds great! Last time I was in Jamaica one place gave us limes to squirt directly onto our skin and it worked!
With regards to herbal solutions...right, I find it best to use intense chemical anything as a last resort instead of a first choice. And I believe the diatomaceous earth should be good for deterring fleas as well. I've never worked with it before but have become more curious the more I read about it. It interesting to hear about your success using it with ants.
June - I just wanted to mention that you can buy the Dr. Bronner's eucalyptus soap in bulk at Greenlife. Lately I've been into Bronner's tea tree oil soap - also from Greenlife in bulk