Natural flea prevention?

Sort of…..

Keeping cats indoors will decrease the likelihood that they’ll get fleas. It’s no guarantee but there are other benefits to this as well.

Keeping your cats in the very best of health (a combination of good luck and proper nutrition) will also decrease the chances that they’ll get fleas. Case in point: I have two cats, one in rude health and the other with digestive and weight issues. Only ONE of them got fleas. Sophie never had a problem.

If there is a cat population in your neighborhood, you might benefit from adding beneficial nematodes to your yard. These microscopic “worms” will eat up any flea larva in your yard, which will keep them off your kitties if they go outdoors, or will eat up anything left by neighborhood prowlers.

I think that’s it for “natural” prevention. Now you need to rely on chemicals, but they don’t have to be highly toxic.

As I mentioned, one of my girls got fleas last summer. I did some research and came up with a plan of attack. I’ll share that info with you here.

1. Treat the cat. Go to your vet and get either Advantage or Frontline Plus (I went with Advantage).

2. Get yourself a “flea comb” and comb your cat at least once per day. Have a bucket with dish soap in it handy to dunk the comb in and to collect the hair. Fleas can’t jump out of the slippery soap. No point in combing them out only to have them jump back on your cat. Flush this down the toilet, pour it down the sink, or dispose of it away from your house.

3. Treat your house. Options are a borate powder product or something that uses diatomaceous earth. Fleabusters (BP), Fleago Natural Flea Control (BP) or Flea Away Natural Flea Powder (DE). Put about a tablespoon of this in your vacuum cleaner bag (or you can cut up a flea collar to put in there. Just follow the directions which will vary by product, but in general you’ll sprinkle on the carpet and vacuum up and also sprinkle into cracks and crevices. (I chose Fleago because it’s less expensive than Fleabusters. I may also try Flea Away in time).

4. Vacuum as often as possible. Before vacuuming, stomp around the house. This will bring the fleas to life because they’ll think there’s a tasty morsel out there. Then vacuum those little bastards up. Be sure to use your attachments to vacuum as many cracks and crevices as you can - they love to hide out there.

5. Wash any pet bedding in hot water, and you’ll want to be particularly diligent about vacuuming/treating areas where your cat hangs out.

6. Treat your yard. Even if your cat doesn’t go outside, fleas may enter your home if they exist in your yard. There’s a small chance that you or others may bring fleas in the house with you (although this is unlikely). Get hold of some nematodes to spray in your yard. I believe you only have to do this once per year. These little creatures will eat the flea larva. As one website put it, these critters are too small to hug, but they deserve it! (I had to order this online; I wasn’t able to find a place that sells them in my area and didn’t feel like calling every place in the phonebook).

Things not to do: Don’t use any essential oils on your cat, particularly anything with pennyroyal or eucalyptus. They’re toxic to cats. Don’t use flea collars. Don’t give your cat any garlic/yeast formulations. Don’t give your cat lemon baths.

You’re going to want to continue treating your home as directed, whether that be sprinkling once per week or once a month. Continue treating throughout flea season (when it’s warm). You can stop during the winter months, but start up again in the spring. You’ll nip them in the bud!

The key is to treat the environment in addition to the cat. If you do that, you may never have to apply another flea product directly on them again.

Source Link: Fleas!