DIATOMACEOUS EARTH

[WARNING!]  04/17/2007: Valeria from Athens, GA writes: "I have been reading all of the suggestions and am planning to try some. I don't have a question or remedy to offer, but felt I must let you know about a dangerous option.

I've used Diatomacious Earth for years, I even used it to get rid of a horrific flea infestation in my asthmatic boyfriends house with no bad effects. It works against all insects and parasites. The IMPORTANT thing to note is that POOL GRADE D.E. IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE SILICOSIS (scarring of the lungs similar to asbestos poisoning) The only safe D.E. to use is natural pulvarized or ground D.E. that can be found in plant nurseries and food storage shops. This D.E. has NOT been superheated, a process which creates fine threads of silocone glass which makes it a better filtering product, but makes it dangerous to handle or breath. Flour grade D.E. is meant to be used in graineries as a bug and egg deterrant is fine enough to mix with flour. The Regular D.E. can be spread on carpets, or the cracks between wooden floors. Plan on not vacuuming for a while(like a week) in order to allow the D.E. to cut up and dry up the little buggers, and be prepared for a little dust to be produced for a short while as you walk on it. I've even heard of it being used a a coat powder and mixed in feed (for horses, cats,and dogs) but I've never tried that personally. I sprinked it in the carpets and brushed it in with the broom and let it sit for couple of weeks, them vacuumed and reapplied. This with Advantage treatment took care of all the fleas and there were none for the rest of the year.

[YEA]  11/09/2006: Deb from Oregon writes: "i tried everything, permetherin, ivamex, tea tree oil, lavander oil, washing bedding,cloths, even tried animal remedies. have battled it for 5 months only with temporary relief. Diatomeceous earth is the one that worked. Its' a natural remedy that you can buy at a grange coop or garden store. i use it 3 times a day putting it on with a powder puff or big cosmetic makeup brush. careful not to get in eyes and don't use on face or breath in dust. i used it for one day and noticed a big improvement but i am going to use it for a few weeks to be darn certain they are gone. I washed bedding and vacumed floors, washed rugs all in hot water with soap and borax. I sprinkled mattresses, couches, car seats in vehicles carpets and bedding daily with this diatomecieous earth. Every day I washed used towels, bedding in hot water. the items you cant wash daily (like comforters, pillows) put in dryer for 20 minutes every day."

[YEA]  Lyn from Jeannette, PA writes: "I just wanted to comment on the fleas section. It is true that any shampoo will kill fleas, but it needs to be left on for 30 min. Also, if you have a flea infestation in your house, just spraying your animal wont help. You must treat where the fleas live. See, they only feed on your animal. I have tremendous luck using table salt and food-grade diatomaceous earth all over the house to kill fleas and prevent. The salt (I prefer organic unprocessed sea salt) cuts into the body of the flea and then allows the DE to dehydrate the animal. Salt by itself does seem to work also, I just like a faster approach. Keep in mind though that this means of defense does take up to 2 months to work as some fleas are still hatching. In really bad infestation, it could take longer. I think flea eggs can survive up to 280 days. I would also like to recommend quadruped pet products. I work at a holistic pet care center and this is what we use to bathe the animals. They do not contain(unlike most pet shampoos) any harsh chemicals. Also, all their products are concentrates so it is much cheaper than buying the harmful stuff from pet shops or grocery stores."

DISH SOAP AND LAMP METHOD

[YEA]  11/09/2007: G from Buffalo, NY writes: "Please Post. After having my house INVADED with fleas...I used the flea bombs, shampooed my rugs, threw any thing I could in the dryer (rugs, bedding, clothes that the kids had left on the floor, etc.) on high heat.  The dogs and cats were dosed with the flea medicine that is put on their necks that I bought on line (also available at the vets, but you don't have to take your animal in to have them checked first and only takes about 2 days to receive in the mail..costs the same)..I could tell that the fleas literally fell off on my cat!  I sprayed the rugs with a spray (more than once, but supposed to last for 6 mos.) that I bought at the pet store.  I also went to the dollar store and bought nightlights to fit into any socket I could get to in all the rooms infested.  Under the nightlights, I placed WHITE bowls of water with just a few drops of dish soap (mix it around, doesn't matter what kind/color).  The soap covers the fleas and makes them sink to the bottom of the bowl.  The light colored bowl allows more light to be absorbed, attracting the fleas.  Even after everything I had done previously, I was still finding fleas in the bowls (a couple every day or so.) for a few weeks.  But, I believe that keeping my pets on the 3 monthly dosage of the flea medication is what finally ridded our house (but, remember, my house was infested) because it kills the fleas on bite, no time to lay eggs. If I found a flea on me, or one of my animals, I would just get a small glass of water, add a few drops of dish soap, place my fingers under the water and release the flea...it sinks...it can't breath, and dies.  (works for ticks also.)

[YEA]  10/13/2007: Brenda from Princeton, Kentucky writes: "Dawn Dish Soap in water helped my son to get rid of some fleas in his home. I came across your website to see if I could find something to help his flea problem. I told him about the use of a low bowl with water and dawn dish soap placed in the corner of a room with a desk lamp turned on at night. He tried it except he used a nightlite. The next morning, a lot of fleas were floating in the water. He is having better success with this method than any other he has tried. Thank you very much for your website."

[YEA]  10/26/2006: Nicci from Midland, MI writes: "This is a remedy my grandmother used. It is safe for the pets, and easy to do. Just take a little dish saucer (one that sits low to the ground), fill it with water and add two drops of dawn dish soap. Place it on the ground in the corner of a room along with a desk lamp. Turn the lamp on and let it sit. The water may need to be changed every couple of days. This remedy works well especially at night because the fleas are attracted to the heat of the lamp, so they jump in the water and the soap weighs them down and the drown. Very effective on minimal flea problems."

DISH SOAP, GARLIC AND LEMON

ESSENTIAL OILS

[WARNING!]  07/08/2008: Nancy from Long Beach, CA writes: "I was referred to your site by someone in the discussion of flea treatment, specifically cats.

The information you provide re: garlic and lavendar, rosemary, etc., is in direct contradiction with my knowledge and what was posted on other websites. My understanding is garlic and essential oils such as lavendar and rosemary are toxic to cats. I've included an excerpt from one site for your info.

"http://eartheasy.com/article_natural_flea_control.htm

Cats should not be given any essential oils, period.
The use of essential oils with cats is a potentially volatile combination. Cats do not efficiently metabolize essential oils and their use can lead to symptoms of toxicity. In addition to essential oils, cats have known metabolic sensitivities to certain herbal preparations and allopathic
medications. Because the cat's body does not efficiently excrete essential oils, they can build up to toxic levels. Symptoms of toxicity include vomiting, dizziness, clumsiness, lack of appetite, lack of energy and shock. In addition, cats have very thin, delicate skin. Essential oils are absorbed rapidly into their skin and enter the bloodstream, overwhelming their systems. Cats dislike strong odors and generally keep away from strong scents -- even highly diluted essential oils.

Many people find that they can use essential oils on their cats with no obvious adverse effects. Although one or more applications of an essential oil product or blend may not cause immediate harm, the effects of essential oils can be cumulative and manifest themselves at a later date in the form of toxicity for which owners and vets often can find no attributable cause. (source: www.aromaleigh.com)"

What's your response?

Thanks,
Nancy"

[YEA]  04/15/2007: dmpuppyove (dmpuppylove@verizon.net) from Harrisburg, PA writes: "I am allergic to fleas really bad. I am also in rescue & can have as many as 10 dogs in my house (and on my bed) at a time. So I cannot afford to have fleas as I break out in hives. For 20 years this is what I have been doing. First I use a baby castle soap that I get at the health food store that has either tea tree oil, lavender or eucalyptus in it. Then every week I spray them outside with this- (I put 1 inch of Avon skin so soft bath oil in a quart bottle & fill with water) I have also sprayed my house now & then with a mixture of water & peppermint oil . I never have fleas. I can't afford to- my health will not tolerate it. And this also repels the mosquitoes & ticks."

[YEA]  08/23/2006: Maryanne from Savannah, Georgia writes: "ESSENTIAL OILS, LAVENDER AND EUCALYPTUS, A FEW DROPS OF EITHER ON BEDDING OR THE BATH WATER GIVE GREAT RESULTS. IT CURES FLEAS AS WELL AS BITES OR CUTS AND SCRAPS. THE LAVENDER IS A HEALING AGENT. NOT TO BE GIVEN ORALLY BUT IT WORKS ON MANY PROBLEMS. I DO DOG RESCUE IN MY CITY AND I ALWAYS HAVE MANY IN MY HOUSE. THIS REMEDY IS VERY HELPFUL FOR ME AS I LIVE ON A FIXED INCOME AND ENOUGH TO GO AROUND IS ALWAYS AN ISSUE. IT TAKES VERY LITTLE OF THE OIL (I ESPECILLY LIKE THE LAVENDER BECAUSE IT SMEELS GOOD AND SEEMS TO BE CALMING AS WELL. THANKS FOR YOUR SITE, IT IS VERY HELPFUL TO ME. GOD BLESS "

FLEA MEDICATION SIDE EFFECTS

GARLIC

[YEA]  06/13/2008: Kathy from Cypress, TX writes: "To keep fleas off my 70 lb. dog, I juice fresh raw garlic and add 1/8 teaspoon of it to a raw egg yolk. He eats it joyfully. NO MORE FLEAS. Fleas hate the smell of garlic. I may carefully increase the amount of garlic juice some in the future because he is 70 lbs. He eats his food joyfully. He also loves greens such as Alfalfa powder, Wheatgrass powder, Barley powder, etc. Dogs need greens too!"

[YEA]  01/19/2008: Koni from London, UK writes: "I have been sprinkling garlic powder on my dogs (home cooked) food since I got him aged 6 months. He's never had a flea. Recentley I ran out (of GP) and it was a week before I replaced it (me casually thinking all would be ok) During that week he got worms, when I put him back on the Garlic Powder the worms were eradicated. It works for me."

[NAY]  06/29/2007: Tried Everything from Austin, TX writes: "I tried to feed my dogs garlic in order to rid them of fleas (according to some postings I read), but it really didn't work. My boys were sick all night, they threw up and didn't want to eat. Where I live, flea infestation is no joking matter. I hate to buy the medicine vets recommend because it's really toxic and not to mention that it gets expensive. I was really hoping that this would work, but it obviously didn't."

[YEA]  04/14/2007: Tom from Providence, RI writes: "I have given each of my two dogs (retriever family, 2 and 5 yo) a clove of freshly pressed garlic every day in their dinner. They are never sick. They do Not have fleas and I DO NOT USE commerical flea/tick products which are carcinogenic and neurotoxins, and the dogs are doing great. I have not had their red blood count tested and perhaps I should. Another ? for the holistic vet I guess."

[YEA]  03/10/2007: Gavin from Killarney Vale, N.S.W. Australia writes: "I have fed my Dingo cross bred 1 clove of garlic thinly sliced in his nightly bowl of dry food for 3 weeks so far to cure flea infestation. I have tried both top brand remedies available in Australia, (Frontline & Advantage) to no avail.The dog laps it up and the fleas have gone. No side effect so far. He does not smell like an Italian restaurant, however his coat is also very shiny. Is this too much as I have heard that Garlic is both good & bad. Most reports of bad seem to come from Vets who would lose money by not selling/promoting their sponsored product."

GOOD DIET!

LAVENDAR OIL

Thanks for a great site."

LEMONS

LYSOL, BLEACH AND JOY

MISC REMEDIES FOR FLEAS

[YEA]  11/21/2006: Candice from Victorville, CA writes: "We rescued two kittens, just to find out that they were infested with fleas. Since they were so young they could not use the traditional flea baths/powers/creams. This is when I searched (earthclinic) and seen the remedy. I decided to combine a couple of them.

USED:
*Dish soap (Ajax, but any will do).
*Rice Vinegar (this is just what I had)
*Baby shampoo
*tweezers
*Heating pad (optional)

First-what I did was filled up the sink half way with lukewarm (make sure not too hot, because what is comfortable to us is hot to them) I then added the VINEGAR (any vinegar will work!) I put a very good helping.

Second-I dipped the kittens in the vinegar solution (minus their heads) then I began to massage the DISH SOAP on. YOU WILL SEE THE FLEAS RUNNING! They will be running towards the head. This is when you lather the kitten with the BABY SHAMPOO ... try your hardest not to get any in the eyes.

Third-Now dip the kitten back into the solution (making sure not to get the head wet) and use a cup or your hands to make sure that you are saturating the fur entirely.

Fourth-This is where it gets tricky. Using a pair of tweezers, tweeze off all of the fleas that you can. THIS IS TIME CONSUMING! But it is worth it! When done tweezing, redip and then rinse off with lukewarm (not too warm) water, and towel dry.

MYCODEX

[YEA]  06/07/2008: Stella from OH writes: "If you have a flea problem in your home and you decide to use chemicals, at least use one that Really Works. When we first rescued our dog he came with fleas the only thing in the world that worked for us was Mycodex Plus Environmental Spray. We got it from our vet. We sprayed around the whole inside of house then again in two weeks. It completely worked unlike other crappy chemicals tried. So if you must then at least use Mycodex. We never had a problem again. You can find it many places online but here is what it looks like. http://www.vetrxdirect.com/product/view/Mycodex-Environmental-Control