What are some natural home remedies and/or foods to help rid animals of fleas.?

Every summer the fleas return, hitching a ride indoors on your unsuspecting pet. Try these nontoxic ways to take back your home from those little bloodsuckers.

Steps:

1. Vacuum all carpets and furniture at least twice a week, even before you spot a flea. Physical removal of the eggs, larvae and adult insects is the safest way to keep flea populations under control.

2. Pay special attention to high-traffic areas, such as stairs and those places where your pet spends a lot of time - for example, next to the bed or under a favorite chair.

3. Empty, dispose of, or seal off the vacuum bag every time you vacuum. Adult fleas can easily crawl back out.

4. Wash area rugs and floor mats regularly with hot water or in the washing machine. Dry each thoroughly to avoid creating a perfectly humid breeding ground for the prolific bugs.

5. Make your own flea remedy by mixing 3 c. diatomaceous earth (DE) for every 1/2 c. boric acid. Sprinkle the powder lightly, yet thoroughly over carpet, under beds and in closets while wearing a safety mask to avoid inhaling the dust. With a broom, work the granules deeply into the carpet. Vacuum after two days.

6. Try an alternative recipe using eight parts Borax cleaning powder to one part table salt. Follow the above procedure, except you should vacuum after one week. These powders work by drying out the fleas' habitat and dehydrating both the larvae and adults.

7. Sprinkle DE in pet runs and shady areas in the yard where pets frequent to keep outdoor populations down. Fleas can only survive in moist, shady areas, so there is no need to apply the powder in places hit by direct sunlight.

8. Introduce the beneficial nematode Steinernema carpocapsa to your yard by using a spray available for purchase at your garden store or online. These tiny parasitic worms feed on and destroy flea larvae. Again spray only in shady areas. Reapply if further infestation occurs.

Tips:

To avoid frequent reinfestations, both home and pets must be treated simultaneously. Start your pet on a natural flea control program now.

Warnings:

Flea bombs and house sprays with the natural toxin pyrethrin do exist. When used properly they are considered safe and effective, but these products are toxic and should be used only as a last resort.

Although not poisonous, the powders should not be applied while pets or infants are present, nor should small children be allowed to play on the carpets until after the residual dust has been vacuumed up. Extra caution should always be applied when using any pest control measure in households where children, elderly or persons with a history of respiratory illness reside.

Tips from eHow Users:

The best way to get rid of fleas by eHow Friend

This is a definite and proved way to get rid of fleas. Wash the dog either with Dawn dish washing soap or Head & Shoulders shampoo. Use Avon Skin-So-Soft either in lotion or conditioner at least twice a week. Use olive oil in the ears (only a drop). Use borax powder mixed with salt, and put it under carpets, furniture and where the dog sits or sleeps. But make sure to do it once every week and then vacuum clean.

This is a time bomb that works very well. I've tried it. Take fig leaves and place them all around. Renew them every few days with fresh leaves.

All this has been tried and proved.

Last but not least; brush the dog after bathing.

garlic biscuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix 2 1/2 C Flour (either Whole Wheat or White), 1/2 C non-fat Dry Powdered Milk Dry Milk, 1 tsp Sugar, 1 tsp Salt, 6 Tbsp Butter or Margarine, 1 Egg, 3 Tbsp Garlic Powder, 3 Tbsp Dried Beef or Chicken Bullion Powder (can substitute Liver Powder) with 1/2 C cold Water. Knead for 3 minutes. Form dough into ball. Roll into 1/2" thick and cut into shapes. Bake on lightly greased cookie sheet for 30 minutes.

No-Flea Dog Biscuits

2 cups unbleached flour

1/2 cup wheat germ

1/2 cup brewers yeast

2 ea. cloves garlic, minced

3 tbs. vegetable oil

1 cup chicken stock

Preheat the oven to 400F. and oil two or three baking sheets. Combine first four ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine garlic and oil. Slowly stir flour mixture and stock alternately into oil and garlic, beating well, until the dough is well-mixed. Shape dough into a ball. On lightly floured surface, roll out dough 1/2" thick. Using a 2" biscuit cutter or knife, cut dough into rounds. Transfer biscuits to prepared baking sheets. Bake 20-25 minutes or until well-browned. Turn off heat and allow biscuits to dry in oven for several hours. Store in refrigerator or freeze. Makes about 26 biscuits.

Couple of easy recipes and it is the garlic in the biscuts that will help eliminate fleas. My father-in-law gives his collie a clove a week. The dog is 14 and has no fleas and is in real good health.

I swear this works. In the laundry aisle at the supermarket you can find 20 mule team. You sprinkle it int the carpet and sweep it in. Wait an hour and vacuum. The borax in it does the trick. It won't hurt you or animals. Do this as needed and your problem should disappear.

I'm told that garlic tends to keep fleas away. There are garlic tabs. on the market for dogs.

first grab some gloves and some tweezers and go thru the kitten's hair and every flea you find pull it out CAREFULLY with the tweezers [so it won't get stuck inside the kitten and you only get the tail out] also if possible you might want to clean it up!

Garlic, lemon ammonia kills fleas on carpet dont put it on your pet! the oder goes away quicky but will kill fleas and there eggs