fleas and ticks
- Thread starter Katie
- Start date
Newfs Forever
New member
Katie,
I use a few items:
Black walnut tincture, 20 drops per meal. It's supposed to make the dogs blood icky to pesky critters.
Springtime Garlic powder, that I think smells great.
I apply a combo of rose geranium and almond oil just in between their eyes, their rump area and their underarms and wherever else the hair is thinner.
I also have a spritzer of "Cloud 9", but you can use various types of essential oils in water. The application should be each time they go out.
Now I will tell you none of my dogs have ever had fleas. I have had a total of 5 dogs. But, in the springtime and particularly after a wet winter, they will get some ticks. And no, I have never had any instance of Lyme's, nor the furrie, either.
HTH,
Sue
I use a few items:
Black walnut tincture, 20 drops per meal. It's supposed to make the dogs blood icky to pesky critters.
Springtime Garlic powder, that I think smells great.
I apply a combo of rose geranium and almond oil just in between their eyes, their rump area and their underarms and wherever else the hair is thinner.
I also have a spritzer of "Cloud 9", but you can use various types of essential oils in water. The application should be each time they go out.
Now I will tell you none of my dogs have ever had fleas. I have had a total of 5 dogs. But, in the springtime and particularly after a wet winter, they will get some ticks. And no, I have never had any instance of Lyme's, nor the furrie, either.
HTH,
Sue
ckschempp
Inactive Member
The best remedy for fleas is to move to a dry climate, that's above 5000 ft. Utah's my fav. Plus, you don't worry about mud!
If only
I have also heard of diamaceous earth (sp?) that's supposed to dry up fleas. And of course they sell nemotodes, which are little worms that will eat all the fleas. Not sure if the latter 2 will actually work, but I know the 1st one does!
Can you tell I miss my climate out West?
If only
I have also heard of diamaceous earth (sp?) that's supposed to dry up fleas. And of course they sell nemotodes, which are little worms that will eat all the fleas. Not sure if the latter 2 will actually work, but I know the 1st one does!
Can you tell I miss my climate out West?
Varmint
Inactive Member
I know that there is an all natural powder that is suppose to help. It is made out of crysanthamums. I have had some people swear by it, and others say it doesn't work. Has anyone here tried it? I also have heard that there are some plants that you can plant around your yard that is suppose to keep flees away...but I don't know what they are...cysanthamums is one, but I know there are more.....Anyone have any ideas on this????
The pyrethrin chemical that is in many store bought flea treatments is made from chrysanthemums. We have used the powdered and tablet garlic with success. I have bought the Neem spray that Leslie talked about for hiking this year. I've talked to other people who really love it and it's available in a well stocked health food store.
robandrobin
New member
Neem is good, BUT, if you've never used it, I swear to you, it has the most god awful smell.
Not joking or exagerating! The smell alone (full strength) makes you wanna
But must admit, it works for a lot for different things. Fantastic stuff really!
Plants...boy, it would take a lot of plants to stop fleas...depending on your area of course.
Mosquitos...an essential oil isolate of Catnip...sorry can't remember the name, my bad, I'll try to find it again. ANyway, it is supposed to be very good. Anything you use you would have to powder or spray your friend everytime you go out for lengths of time.
We use garlic. If we get the word from others that fleas are real bad this year...we take precautions...and we will use a months worth (during heavy flea times) of the flea protection that is a capsule you break and put between the shoulders. Purely chemical. But I can't stand fleas!!! I walk in, our vet says...ah flea stuff right? I say yes, and every dog and cat is given the treatment. Then that's pretty much it. So far...knock on wood.
Robin
Plants...boy, it would take a lot of plants to stop fleas...depending on your area of course.
Mosquitos...an essential oil isolate of Catnip...sorry can't remember the name, my bad, I'll try to find it again. ANyway, it is supposed to be very good. Anything you use you would have to powder or spray your friend everytime you go out for lengths of time.
We use garlic. If we get the word from others that fleas are real bad this year...we take precautions...and we will use a months worth (during heavy flea times) of the flea protection that is a capsule you break and put between the shoulders. Purely chemical. But I can't stand fleas!!!
I walk in, our vet says...ah flea stuff right? I say yes, and every dog and cat is given the treatment. Then that's pretty much it. So far...knock on wood.Robin
Leslie
New member
Really? I like the smell of the Ark Naturals. It smells better than the Off or any of the other ones.Originally posted by RobandRobin:
Neem is good, BUT, if you've never used it, I swear to you, it has the most god awful smell.Not joking or exagerating! The smell alone (full strength) makes you wannaBut must admit, it works for a lot for different things. Fantastic stuff really!
Robin
robandrobin
New member
Ark Naturals dilutes the neem!! Very smart. Actually the only way anyone could stand to use it! So it is not neem alone. It also has citronella (another natural deterant) and other essential oils added!!
I use neem oil for various applications, it's a great oil, I swear by it, BUT, it truly stinks. Kind of like garlic and onion and nutty cross scent!! It is not so bad once diluted and essential oils or fragrance is added!
Depending on some applications the leaf can be used and infused into oil. No smell at all then!!
I use neem oil for various applications, it's a great oil, I swear by it, BUT, it truly stinks. Kind of like garlic and onion and nutty cross scent!! It is not so bad once diluted and essential oils or fragrance is added!
Depending on some applications the leaf can be used and infused into oil. No smell at all then!!
Annie Milliron
Alpha Goddess
I'd be very careful about using tea tree oil in any way.... either topical or internal! I've heard of Newfs having adverse reactions to shampoos with tea tree oil. I can't remember exactly what, but I think the effects were neurological..... hopefully someone else will recall better than I have!
robandrobin
New member
Annie! Glad you brought this up. A couple of us awhile ago looked this up. It is one of those types of situations that an individual needs to research for themselves and then make the final decision. Make sure to read actual studies and not just summaries from others.
A while back, a warning of using Tea Tree oil neat (that means full strength) on Newfies or other breeds can cause serious illness. This is in fact true. Studies concluded that the tea tree or Melaleuca were used in unreasonably high doses and that is the cause Tea Tree oil toxicity. And I mean they were really unusually high amounts. Basically full strength for a period of time. A specific chemical in the essential oil, the rate of absorbtion through the skin, and also...take into consideration any licking, caused major toxicity. It can also be an allergin to some dogs, just like it can be an allergin in some humans. This is true for anything natural or non-natural.
A very general and I mean VERY general rule of thumb is a dilution of ALL essential oils anywhere from 1 to 3 percent per ounce of carrier oil...even less for body spray for dogs such as 5 to 10 drops per 4 ounces of water or other solution. Think in terms of a few drops.
I believe and was taught, No essential oil should be used neat. Period. Some are cut and you unless you receive a certification of analysis, you can't be sure it's pure. Most places you buy from now do not offer that. So, you just don't know what could happen and it's highly unnessary to use it full strength anyway.
Also...do not use essential oils on cats or birds.
Here is some information :
http://www.herbmed.org/Herbs/Herb105.htm#Category5Herb105
[ 03-11-2005, 04:59 AM: Message edited by: RobandRobin ]
A while back, a warning of using Tea Tree oil neat (that means full strength) on Newfies or other breeds can cause serious illness. This is in fact true. Studies concluded that the tea tree or Melaleuca were used in unreasonably high doses and that is the cause Tea Tree oil toxicity. And I mean they were really unusually high amounts. Basically full strength for a period of time. A specific chemical in the essential oil, the rate of absorbtion through the skin, and also...take into consideration any licking, caused major toxicity. It can also be an allergin to some dogs, just like it can be an allergin in some humans. This is true for anything natural or non-natural.
A very general and I mean VERY general rule of thumb is a dilution of ALL essential oils anywhere from 1 to 3 percent per ounce of carrier oil...even less for body spray for dogs such as 5 to 10 drops per 4 ounces of water or other solution. Think in terms of a few drops.
I believe and was taught, No essential oil should be used neat. Period. Some are cut and you unless you receive a certification of analysis, you can't be sure it's pure. Most places you buy from now do not offer that. So, you just don't know what could happen and it's highly unnessary to use it full strength anyway.
Also...do not use essential oils on cats or birds.
Here is some information :
http://www.herbmed.org/Herbs/Herb105.htm#Category5Herb105
[ 03-11-2005, 04:59 AM: Message edited by: RobandRobin ]
ornella
New member
Thanks you for the information.
I was quite scared of reading that there have been problems with tea tree oil. But reading your answer, I'm less preoccupied. I never use it at full strength, I also bought a tea tree lotion at the pet store, where it is already diluted, and i use that on my dog. I put it in a little parfume spray bottle ( I hope you understand what I mean), and spray it (one or to spray pumps) on the fur. Will it be dangerous that way?
I was quite scared of reading that there have been problems with tea tree oil. But reading your answer, I'm less preoccupied. I never use it at full strength, I also bought a tea tree lotion at the pet store, where it is already diluted, and i use that on my dog. I put it in a little parfume spray bottle ( I hope you understand what I mean), and spray it (one or to spray pumps) on the fur. Will it be dangerous that way?
Annie Milliron
Alpha Goddess
RobandRobin,
Thanks for posting!!!! Definitely good info to share!
Annie
Thanks for posting!!!! Definitely good info to share!
Annie
Newfs Forever
New member
Ornella,
I have been using Cloud 9 (mixture of essential oils)about 20 drops in a 16 oz. spritzer bottle, mixed with water. I have never had any problems with that much of a dilution.
Sue
I have been using Cloud 9 (mixture of essential oils)about 20 drops in a 16 oz. spritzer bottle, mixed with water. I have never had any problems with that much of a dilution.
Sue
Though I LOVE Springtime joint health.. upon opening their garlic, for which i paid a very preaty penny, I discovered it was nothing but granulated garlicOriginally posted by Newfs forever:
Katie,
I use a few items:
Springtime Garlic powder, that I think smells great.
Sue
robandrobin
New member
That is interesting. Does your vet mean internal applications of Tea tree, or external applications of tea tree? Is there a difference to this if you are using external applications of Tea Tree and internal homeopathic remedies?
Sheila
New member
I've personally had a terrible reaction with Tea Tree Oil and Clyde....he had a rash on his testicles and my grandmother uses tea tree for everything, I use it for alot as well. My husband only heard what to use, not the "concentration" to use it in, he rolled over Clyde and just splashed it on full strength, by morning, he was stiff as a board, could barely walk, almost seemed paralyzed, hubby figured right away it was the tea tree and we called poison control. Poison control states it can be extremely toxic if not diluted. It affects the central nervous system (and quickly when absorbed through the skin). He told us that our only option was to wait it out and hope for the best. By the next day he had returned to normal but it was really scary and our lesson has definitely been learned. I always keep a spray bottle of tea tree/alcohol around for cuts or scrapes or whatever and it works wonderfully but use EXTREME caution as to the concentration. I always mix 1% tea tree to whatever I'm putting it into.
[ 03-20-2005, 03:38 PM: Message edited by: Sheila ]
[ 03-20-2005, 03:38 PM: Message edited by: Sheila ]