DIY: Natural Flea & Tick Control

by BUDDHA DOG

Flea and and tick season is upon us in full force!

If you’re like me, you choose to keep you pets safe and use all natural, chemical and pesticide free, safe, effective alternatives. How do I know these recipes work? I’ve used them on my own pets.

In addition to these all natural recipes, I recommend adding a couple drops of essential oils; lemon grass, peppermint, lavender and clove to your Buddha Dog collars monthly or as needed. I always add fresh drop right before a hike.

* For the recipes that call for essential oils – use only 100% pure organic, therapeutic grade essential oils

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Witch Hazel and Essential Oils Spray (for dogs only)

  • Fill an 8 once spray bottle with distilled or boiled (cooled) water;
  • Add enough witch hazel to almost fill the balance of the spray bottle;
  • Add essential oils:
    • 10 drops of clove essential oil (if your dog is pregnant substitute use eucalyptus essential oil instead);
    • 10 drops of  rosemary essential oil ;
    • 10 drops of citrus (lemon or lemon grass, orange or grapefruit) essential oil .
  • Shake well
  • Spritz your dog’s fur;
    •  Don’t soak your dog’s or cat’s fur with this spray;
    • Just mist your dog or cat with the spray;
    • The scent of the essential oils repels the insects

Rosemary Spray – Specifically for Fleas (for cats and dogs)

  • Steep 1/8 cup of fresh rosemary in 16 ounces of boiling water for 30 minutes;
  • Allow the resulting infusion to cool;
  • Strain the liquid, discard the rosemary;
  • Pour the liquid into a spray bottle;
  • Shake well;
  • Spritz your dog’s fur.

Caution when spraying near your dogs eyes!

To apply to you pets face:

  • Spray the palm of your hand with the solution;
  • Rub your hands gently over your pets nose, around eyes, behind their ears, etc.

Diatomaceous Earth  (for dogs and cats)

* Use ONLY food grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE)*

It is soft siliceous solid composed of skeletons of small single-celled prehistoric aquatic plants known as diatoms. It has many uses, including natural pest control for pets, pest control for home, garden and farming. In its natural form it is organic, non-toxic and safe to use.

DE kills fleas, ticks, lice and other pests on dogs, cats and other animals within 72 hours. It is known as a mechanical insecticide. All natural, it kills by physical action, not chemical, by puncturing the insect’s exoskeleton and absorbing the moisture in their bodies. It causes the bugs to dehydrate and die and can be very effective.

Rub the DE into your dog’s or cat’s fur.

DE soaks up moisture, so leaving DE on your companion animals skin for a prolonged time can dry-out his, her skin;

Dust your lawn, gardens and pet beds.

DE is also a great way for ridding the body of internal parasites

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