Eco-Friendly Flea Control

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Eco-Friendly Flea Control

Staff Writer · Apr 6, 2010

In an apartment, flea control is important to your pet’s health and well-being as it is to your own. Fortunately, there are a number of eco-friendly and non-toxic ways to control fleas that make the process safe and effective.

Make Sure Your Pet Has a Balanced Diet

Fleas like to attach themselves to pets with weakened immune systems. Therefore, feeding your pet a sound diet can go a long way in deterring fleas. For maximum nutrition, make sure you give your pet foods with no by-products or fillers. Alternate your dog’s diet with moistened dog food and dry dog food while giving your cat only moistened cat food with natural ingredients. In addition, make sure your pet is getting enough exercise and that he is groomed and bathed on a regular basis. A healthy, clean pet with a strong immune system will not appeal to many fleas.

Clean Around Your Pet’s Area

Keep the area around your pet’s food and water dish and sleeping quarters clean and sanitized. Also, make it a daily habit to clean your cat’s litter box. Wash your pet’s bedding once a week. Scattering pine needles underneath your pet’s bedding can be helpful in deterring fleas as well.

Vacuum Your Home Daily

When you first discover your dog or cat has a flea problem, vacuum your home thoroughly, particularly in the dark corners and crevices in your apartment. Fleas like these places as they can hide or lay their eggs in them. After vacuuming, make certain to change and throw away the bag immediately. Typically, upright vacuums are good for this kind of chore.

Use Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a non-toxic, eco-friendly dust that can be sprinkled in areas where you suspect there is a flea problem. The powder is actually composed of the microscopic, fossilized skeletal remains of unicellular plants called diatoms. The tiny fossilized skeletons are lethal to fleas as they possess edges that are razor sharp and thus can be quite damaging. While the substance is not harmful to pets or people, it definitely is an effective way of naturally getting rid of fleas.

Add Supplementation to Your Pet’s Food or Water

Adding certain substances to your pet’s water or food can also prevent fleas from wanting to attack your pet. Fleas abhor the taste of garlic or brewer’s yeast, so adding these supplements to your pet’s food can be significantly helpful in your  flea control efforts. If you have a small dog or cat, add a teaspoon of brewer’s yeast to their food, or one tablespoon if you have a larger-sized dog. You can also include a little garlic in your dog’s food. Garlic is not recommended for cats as too much of the herb can be toxic to them. Also, adding a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to your dog’s or cat’s water will cause fleas to stay away too.

As you can see, you don’t have to use harsh chemicals to annihilate fleas. You only have to keep your place clean and your dog or cat well-fed. Use the above solutions to keep your dog or cat happy as well as flea-free.

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