Fleas for Tea Tree Oil

5 star (2) 
  50%
1 star (2) 
  50%

Mira (Los Angeles) on 07/26/2018:
1 out of 5 stars

Flea season exploded two months ago and I found that tea tree oil did NOT help in the least, so I would like to amend this rating to either 1 or 0 (that would take more experimentation). Possibly back when I posted this initial review, colder weather was setting in and I mistook the seasonal decline in flea populations as a sign of tea tree oil's effectiveness for flea control.

I was treating my cat (10 months old) daily with a drop's worth (placed on my finger and then applied) of tea tree on the back of her head and another at the base of her tail, along with food grade diatomaceous earth rubbed in all over. It really didn't seem to show much improvement. She had bald spots where the fleas were eating her and for awhile, the only remedy was bathing her 2x a week, where I would remove dozens of fleas at a time.

Luckily, I did find what worked to my amazement! Homemade lemon spray. Throw a few lemons (skins seeds and all) into a blender with some water and strain into a bottle. Apply the spray to your hands and rub into your animal's fur all over, from her furry cheeks to tail. She licks it off and is perfectly healthy. Occasionally, I'll find one lethargic flea that is easy to pick off, but it works exceptionally well. Also, spray the lemon everywhere you want, outside and in the corners of the room. As always with any new protocol, start off with small quantities on your pet to make sure there are no adverse reactions.

I am working on this Lemon Spray recipe (possibly adding other beneficial flea repelling ingredients) and will re-post when I am satisfied with the results.

 View Entire Thread


EC: Rating changed in your first post to a 1 star, thank you for the update!

REPLY   1      

Mira (La) on 01/28/2018:
1 out of 5 stars

I was hesitant to try tea tree oil on my kitten after having read some warnings here.

I must stress that tea tree oil must be used in low-potency!! Even one drop might be too much, and so should be added to carrier oil.

in taking any product, one should always start small and monitor the effects, and increase as needed.

My neighbor tried it first. He was the one who actually insisted. Our kittens were both three months at the time. He has a kitten from the same litter as mine, so they are the same age, but his is male and larger. He said the fleas vanished, so I tried it on my kitten. I clumsily poured a few drops from the bottle onto her and was worried to death, grabbing a rag to clean her. Then I saw her licking the tea tree from her fur and I freaked (i love my cat! ). But no sickness whatsoever. And fleas truly did disappear.

So, don't make the mistake I did! And potentially have it not turn out so well.

First try one 1 drop of tea tree to 1/4 tsp carrier oil. I used olive oil. Monitor results. If it works, then no need to increase. If it doesn't work and health is good, increase dose slowly and never pour over your animal! Unless you are sure your dropper is safe

Good luck and best wishes!

July 27, 2108 Update:

With further experimentation, I found tea tree oil does not work. plz read my other posts for more info , including success with lemon juice.

REPLY   2      

Purplegoth67 (Rustington, West Sussex, England) on 03/19/2012:
5 out of 5 stars

About the flea problem. I have tried watering down tea tree oil and spraying that on my two dogs bedding and carpets. We are finding less and less fleas both on the animals and bedding. I think that being an oil, it takes out the oxygen and smothers the little b's. Good luck
REPLY   2      



London (Sandusky, Ohio) on 10/08/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

Tea tree oil will kill fleas, on your dog immediately, when mixed with baby shampoo. Leave it on and lather well, and most if not all the fleas will die, and wash out. This will not prevent the fleas from returning. You have to use a collar.
EC: WARNING! Tea Tree oil may be toxic to cats and dogs!

From Wikipedia:

Pet Flea Control use

Tea tree oil has long been used as a method of all natural effective flea control by adding the oil directly to dogs, horses and sheep fur or their bathing water. Use on cats has been known to make them sick and in some cases kill them, this is due to cats licking their fur and consuming the oil.[23]

According to National Animal Poison Control Center, the use of tea tree oil in dogs has been associated with hypothermia, muscle weakness, ataxia, tremors, altered behavior, paralysis. A case report has been published in which three cats had clinical signs and one cat died after being treated with the oil. [24]

Also read this feedback on Earth Clinic: https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/tea_tree_oil.html#TOXICCATSDOGS

REPLY   2      
Return to Fleas