Foolproof Natural Flea Control

Excerpted from Only Angels: How to Breed and Train the Perfect Greyhound

The more pesticides you use, the more fleas you will have. There are four universal truths regarding insects:

1. Insects will eat.
2. You can’t eradicate all insects.
3. Pesticides will ALWAYS backfire because insects adapt.
4. Pesticides can be harmful to your dog, your children and to you.

Pesticides, sooner or later, will be counterproductive for the user. They are effective when initially used, but over time their effectiveness dissipates and eventually the bugs will develop stronger generations that are immune to them. This is because the insects reproduce rapidly and have many offspring that have mutations that resist the insecticide. As this process occurs, living insects will pass on their new genetic traits to offspring, and most of the new generation will be immune to insecticides. So we have to keep coming up with newer, stronger alternatives.

Pesticides have one big drawback: they are all dangerous.

Pesticides are also expensive. Ask anyone who uses the monthly spot-on products. Every time you use pesticides on your dog, you are also using them on yourself. Whether you use a few drops of a product, a spray, or a powder, everyone in the house will be exposed. Even professionally applied pesticides evaporate a little and affect people living in the house. Pesticides have been shown time and again to have very negative effects on pregnant or lactating women, infants and young children, as well as cats, dogs and birds. I’ve never been a fan of toxic insecticides, but when I learned that monthly flea sprays on your back are derivatives of nerve gases, I knew I’d never use them.

so what is the alternative? The natural approach. Why? Because it is effective, economical and does not harm you, your dog or the environment. There are many methods used in natural flea control. Manual harvesting is very effective. Every time your dog comes in from outside, quickly run a narrow-toothed flea comb over him and wash the critters down the drain. This can be time consuming if you live in a multi-dog household, but luckily there are other methods. Fleas live on outdoor plants. Adding algae to the soil helps plants develop their own arsenal against pests. Kelp is an important and underrated defensive weapon. When composted into the soil, it adds many plant nutrients and enzymes that act as preventatives against insect pests.

Two of my favorite natural weapons against fleas are diatomaceous earth (sometimes called diatomaceous earth) and steam cleaning carpets and dog bedding. Diatomaceous earth is a mined mineral product consisting of the remains of fossilized single-celled diatoms that lived nearly thirty million years ago. It kills pests like fleas, worms, or any hard-shelled insect because its sharp silica edges pierce its soft shell. Therefore, insects cannot become immune to it. It is inexpensive and is considered safe for humans and animals. It is even added to some animal feeds to kill parasites and intestinal worms. It is also used in stored animal feed to detect pests. Animals such as birds that eat the insects killed by the diatomaceous earth particles will not be harmed. There is a word of caution when it comes to diatomaceous earth: there are two grades. One is the type used to filter swimming pools and spread around the garden, the other is food grade and this is the only type to use on your dogs or in your home. Why? Because it will not harm the lungs or the eyes. It’s hard to find the food-grade type and my suppliers are constantly changing. When diatomaceous earth is not available, a good alternative to shampoos and sprays is made from Erigeron (Canadian fleabane), a rare herb whose oils dissolve the shells of fleas and other insects without harming you or your pet. Erigeron is preferred over natural citrus-based flea killers that can trigger allergies in some dogs or burn sensitive skin.

There are many other options, including a wide variety of sprays, shampoos, and natural treatments, but I’ve found the easiest, purest, and most foolproof way to get rid of fleas: steam. Of all the natural flea control methods I’ve used, this one works the best:

THE STEAM OF YOUR FLEAS AWAY!

I bought a small handheld pressurized steam unit (not the mopping type), which is relatively inexpensive compared to the current cost of pesticides. The steam unit has a nozzle that allows the steam to be released as a pressurized stream at 212 degrees F. I treat my carpets, upholstery, and dog bedding every month and voila, zero fleas! It also kills dust mites and is great for disinfecting. It is easy. It is not toxic. It is environmentally friendly. Works! I used it weekly at first, but found over time I could use it less and less and still be flea free.

You can also use the unit to clean and disinfect other areas of your home. Steam kills E.coli and salmonella and is great for cleaning burnt-on foods from oven racks or burners. Since using it I have noticed a real improvement in my dust mite allergies so I guess it must be killing the mites along with the fleas. There are probably other brands that work too. This turns out to be the one I use. If you choose to buy a steam unit, make sure it has a pressure nozzle that allows the steam to come out in a strong jet. Mild steam units for steaming clothes won’t work to kill fleas unless they also come with a pressure nozzle.

WARNING: DO NOT USE THE STEAM DIRECTLY ON YOUR DOGS AS THE STEAM COULD BURN THEM. It doesn’t seem necessary to say that, but better safe than sorry.

Copyrighted Cherie Feherman 1998 and 2010. All rights reserved.