Natural flea control methods

Natural flea control is preferred over other flea medicines by many pet owners.

Natural flea control methods are of particular interest to many pet owners. Though numerous conventional flea prevention and control medications are available, many pet owners are concerned about using these medicines on their dogs and cats on a regular basis.

Natural flea control is an option for pet owners. However, pet owners should be aware that utilizing natural flea control methods will require much more time and effort than using more conventional flea medicines. While many of the natural flea controls are without risk of side effects, some of the natural flea products commonly recommended can have side effects at least as serious and sometimes even more severe than those seen with conventional flea medications.

When using natural flea control methods, pet owners must practice multiple forms of flea control, including environmental control, effective pet grooming practices and control of adult fleas on pet dogs and cats.

Garlic for natural flea control

Many people feed garlic to their pets hoping to control fleas with its usage. Feeding garlic is not a safe means of flea control for dogs and cats. While garlic may or may not be effective in killing fleas, garlic is toxic to dogs and cats and can cause a serious blood disease characterized by anemia. Risking the toxic effects of garlic is not worth any possible flea control effects.

Neem oil in natural flea control

Neem oil is a product obtained from a specific type of evergreen tree. Neem oil can be mixed with various shampoos or can be obtained as an active ingredient in flea sprays and flea powders. Neem oil appears to be relatively safe for both dogs and cats. It has been used for flea control with varying results.

Natural pyrethrins and natural flea control

Natural pyrethrins are derived from chrysanthemums. Pyrethrins are effective flea control products and many of the commonly used conventional flea control medications contain pyrethrins (synthetic or naturally derived) as well. Flea control products containing pyrethrins should be used following label directions as incorrect usage could produce toxic results.

Essential oils and other natural flea control products for dogs and cats

Many products containing essential oils are available for pets. Products containing limoneme (an extract from the skin of citrus fruit) may be particularly effective in controlling fleas on dogs. However, limoneme products tend to have a very strong odor associated with them that pet owners may find offensive. Limoneme can be toxic to some pets also. Limoneme should not be used on cats due to the potential for side effects.

Pet owners should realize that essential oils can be extremely toxic for pets and should be used cautiously. Pet owners planning to formulate their own flea control products need to be particularly careful in this area. Pennyroyal is one example of a commonly recommended natural flea control product which can cause severe adverse effects in dogs and cats. Essential oils should be used extremely cautiously, if at all, on cats.

Diatomaceous earth as a natural flea control product

Diatomaceous earth can be obtained as an active ingredient included in various flea sprays and powders as well as in products which can be used in environmental management of fleas (i.e. killing fleas in carpeting, upholstery, drapery, lawns and gardens). While diatomaceous earth is an effective method of killing fleas, there is some concern that breathing the dust associated with diatomaceous earth may not be entirely safe for pets or pet owners. For this reason, many veterinarians remain skeptical about recommending products containing diatomaceous earth.

Natural flea control with regular grooming and flea combing

One method of natural flea control which is commonly overlooked is regular grooming and flea combing to remove fleas. Though flea combing is a labor intensive process, it can be extremely effective in controlling flea populations. However, flea combing is not likely to be successful in completely eradicating flea infestations without utilizing other means of flea control as well.

Nematodes in natural environmental flea control

Nematodes are small worms which feed off of fleas, flea eggs and flea larvae. These nematodes live in the soil and can be seeded in yards and gardens for use as a natural means of environmental flea control. Numerous companies sell nematode cultures and they can easily be obtained online.

Other means of natural environmental flea control

Frequent vacuuming is an often overlooked means of flea control, but frequent and thorough vacuuming can be effective in reducing the numbers of fleas present in a pet's environment. Pet owners should always take care to empty bagless vacuum cleaners or change vacuum bags and place the bag/contents of vacuum outside so that fleas do not continue to breed and reproduce inside the bag and reinfest the home.

Flea traps are commercially available as well and work by being coated with a sticky substance which ensnares the fleas as they enter the trap. These products are similar to mouse traps that work in much the same fashion. Flea traps may help reduce the flea population but are unlikely to be successful in eradicating the flea infestation by themselves.

Products containing boric acid or borax, such as FleaBusters®, may be used in environmental flea control as well and appears to be relatively safe for pets and their owners. However, these products are often messy and dusty to use.

Whatever natural flea products a pet owner chooses to use, integrated flea control is the best option, using multiple methods of flea control to eliminate fleas in the environment as well as on the pet dog or cat. All pets in the household will need to be part of a successful flea control program, whether using natural or conventional means of flea control.

More information about natural flea control methods is available in our slideshow.