Pests and Your Pets –
Natural Alternatives to Controlling Pests on Your Pets.Seems like we have this conversation every year – how do we get rid of fleas, what do you have that helps my dog or cat stop scratching, is this product safe…
Well, this year, again, we in SoFla are having an infestation of fleas. We can thank our very mild winters that didn’t get cold enough to kill the fleas that also didn’t get killed off the year before! We are also being invaded by mosquitos. While it’s raining, they can’t fly, but once the rain stops – HELLO. They come out and are hungry! We all know the steps to keeps mosquitos from breeding, but they don’t!
There are many chemical products available that kill fleas and ticks that can be applied to your pets, however Auggie’s Doggies doesn’t sell them. We believe that the natural alternatives are as effective and are far less harmful to you, your pets and the environment.
The first line of defense in flea control is a flea comb. Combing your pet’s hair / fur will get the adults off of them. Drown the captured fleas by dripping the flea comb in a bowl of water. Now that that’s done, it’s time for treatment.
As we discussed in last year’s newsletter, Auggie’s Doggies Diatomaceous Earth is a very effective method for controlling fleas and ticks. DE is actually fossil shell flour, which is an abrasive to the bugs’ exoskelton and absorbing their body fluids, causing no harm to you and your pets.
Other great flea and pest control products use different botanical oils. Besides the obvious benefits that botanical based products are safer to use, they also generally have a great natural fragrance. All of these products are manufactured in the US and are companies that have demonstrated to us that they are environmentally responsible. One of our favorites is made by Pet Naturals of Vermont. It’s effective on both dogs and cats, and uses lemongrass, cinnamon, sesame and castor oils. We’ve been using this on ourselves in the Market because it’s also a natural repellant for mosquitos, flies in addition to fleas and ticks. Another favorite of ours that’s also safe of both dogs and cats is by Ark Naturals, Flea Flicker! Tick Kicker! It uses a different blend of botanicals. It contains geranoit from geraniums, eugenol from cloves and peppermint. Ark Naturals is from Naples, Fl, and we like to support local companies.
There are some products that can only be applied to dogs that are also effective. We like the Flea and Tick Spray by Richard’s Organics. It contains peppermint, eugenol , clove oil, cedar oil, cinnamon oil and rosemary oil. Richard’s Organics also has a nice soothing Skin Spray for Dogs that helps sooth irritated skin caused by the pesky bugs. Richard’s Organics is made right here in Fort Lauderdale, which really satisfies our goal to support local business. Another great product is by Great Life – Tombstone Flea Spray. This product is also only for use on dogs. It contains organic aloe vera, tea tree oil, organic lavender oil, organic cedar wood oil, natural borates and spring water.
We didn’t forget the felines! Natural Chemistry has a Natural Flea Spray just for Cat. It also uses Cinnamon, cedar wood and clove oils, but also adds vanilla.
We also recommend using a soothing shampoo before applying the DE or Pest Sprays, but if you’re like me and you walk you dogs early in the morning and late in the evening, you become a walking smorgasbord for every bug with wings. All of these products can also be used as a bug spray on people. And why not? If it’s safe for your pet – it’s safe for you!
Thanks for taking the time to read this. And please feel free to stop by Auggie’s Doggies Healthy Pet Supplies the next time you visit Marando Farms.