While you may not be able to roll back global warming that has plagued the planet, there are easier ways to treat pests and prevent them from becoming a nuisance in the first place. Many people prefer not to use chemical flea and tick treatments to reduce the risk of a toxicity reaction. After all, if something isn’t safe for children, why use it on pets. Using safer and gentler methods for flea and tick infestation as well as control can have great results. Well, that is unless you are dealing with a full blown infestation. After all, if something isn’t safe for children, why use it on pets. Using safer and gentler methods for flea and tick infestation as well as control can have great results. Well, that is unless you are dealing with a full blown infestation.

Looking for the best flea treatment for dogs? We’ve done a full review of the top choices

Nematodes

While they are best for outdoor treatment, beneficial nematodes for flea and tick control can also be used indoors on rugs and carpets. You must, however, vacuum your carpets and rugs if you want to use them for indoor pest control.

To prevent infestations from outdoors, spray the doghouses and kennels with nematode solution. Also spray areas where your pets tend to sleep including crawl spaces like under the bushes and the porch. Mowing tall grass, removing weeds and trimming bushes helps improve the efficiency of this method. For optimum results, you should apply beneficial nematode on moist soil at dusk or early in the morning as these microscopic organisms are sensitive to light. Look for a product with species effective against ticks and fleas, particularly Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema feltiae.

For optimum results, you should apply beneficial nematode on moist soil at dusk or early in the morning as these microscopic organisms are sensitive to light. Look for a product with species effective against ticks and fleas, particularly Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema feltiae.

Fresh garlic

Garlic can help with your war against tick and flea infestation during the tick and flea season. It is high in nutrients and its pungent energy warms the body. In addition, it helps detoxify the body. If you wish to prevent pest infestation using this method, consider giving your dog crushed, fresh garlic two weeks before the start of the flea and tick season.

It needs two weeks to start building up in the coat oil, hence the reason for this directive. You want to avoid bathing your dog too often as doing so will wash your efforts down the drain. Instead, use Fuller’s Earth or cornstarch as dry shampoo, but sparingly. When using this method for flea and tick control, feed every day for two weeks and twice a week after that.

Diatomaceous earth

This is a fine white powder that works great as a natural flea and tick killer. The best thing about using diatomaceous earth for pest control is that it doesn’t contain poisons. It kills ticks and fleas by absorbing vital fluids and puncturing their exoskeleton. To use it for this purpose, simply spray it over linens, furniture and anywhere else ticks or fleas are present. Vacuum and clean those areas after a few days. Unlike commercial pest deterrents, diatomaceous earth kills pests mechanically rather than chemically. This makes it safe for use around your kids, pets and family. The only safety concern when using this has to do with sensitivity to dust. While breathing it in won’t lead to severe symptoms, be sure to limit how much you inhale if you have sensitive lungs.

To use it for this purpose, simply spray it over linens, furniture and anywhere else ticks or fleas are present. Vacuum and clean those areas after a few days. Unlike commercial pest deterrents, diatomaceous earth kills pests mechanically rather than chemically. This makes it safe for use around your kids, pets and family. The only safety concern when using this has to do with sensitivity to dust. While breathing it in won’t lead to severe symptoms, be sure to limit how much you inhale if you have sensitive lungs.

This makes it safe for use around your kids, pets and family. The only safety concern when using this has to do with sensitivity to dust. While breathing it in won’t lead to severe symptoms, be sure to limit how much you inhale if you have sensitive lungs.

Dishwashing liquid flea trap

This is one of the most satisfying to wake up to each morning and is a great method of eradication fleas or ticks in your bedroom. Fill one part of a plate with dish soap and the other two parts with water. Place a candle in the middle of the plate and when going to bed, put the place on the floor of your bedroom then light the candle. The fleas will be attracted by the light throughout the night and as they try jumping to the light, they will stuck and eventually drown in the dishwashing fluid. There are however a few shortcomings of using this method to trap fleas. For starters, sleeping with a lit candle in the middle of the bedroom is not the safest practice. In addition, it has limited ability of killing fleas.

The fleas will be attracted by the light throughout the night and as they try jumping to the light, they will stuck and eventually drown in the dishwashing fluid. There are however a few shortcomings of using this method to trap fleas. For starters, sleeping with a lit candle in the middle of the bedroom is not the safest practice. In addition, it has limited ability of killing fleas.

There are however a few shortcomings of using this method to trap fleas. For starters, sleeping with a lit candle in the middle of the bedroom is not the safest practice. In addition, it has limited ability of killing fleas.

Boric acid

Borax is one of the oldest, low toxicity inorganic minerals known to man. While it is cheap, it possesses herbicidal, fungicidal and insecticidal properties; hence the reason why it is used as a secret ingredient in many commercial pest control products. It acts as a tick and flea killer by removing moisture from the body, thus leading to severe dehydration and eventual death. It’s very effective in small amounts and the fact that it maintains its potency for a long time makes it a favorite for homeowners. Unlike other insecticides, it is odorless and non-repellant to insects. Obvious places to start pest control with boric acid dark areas like in crevices and cracks on walls and the floors as well as in carpets. The main disadvantageIt’s very effective in small amounts and the fact that it maintains its potency for a long time makes it a favorite for homeowners. Unlike other insecticides, it is odorless and non-repellant to insects. Obvious places to start pest control with boric acid dark areas like in crevices and cracks on walls and the floors as well as in carpets. The main disadvantageIt acts as a tick and flea killer by removing moisture from the body, thus leading to severe dehydration and eventual death. It’s very effective in small amounts and the fact that it maintains its potency for a long time makes it a favorite for homeowners. Unlike other insecticides, it is odorless and non-repellant to insects. Obvious places to start pest control with boric acid dark areas like in crevices and cracks on walls and the floors as well as in carpets. The main disadvantageThe main disadvantage with this method is that it works best on eggs and larvae. It also kills adult ticks and fleas, just not as effectively.

Cedar oil

This is an essential oil derived from the conifer trees in cypress or pine families. It has many industrial as well as medical uses. It is also used for aromatherapy, perfumes and pest control. The ancient Egyptians used it for its embalming properties to keep bugs at bay. Cedar oil kills ticks and fleas in six different ways including dissolving larvae, preventing breathing, neutralizing body fluids, emulsifying body fats as well as interfering with processes necessary for feeding, reproduction, movement and metabolism. In addition to ticks and fleas, cedar oil can also prove useful in the fight against mosquitoes. It is an effective insect repellant as bugs cannot stand the smell of cedar oil. The best thing about this method is that is completely non-toxic to pets and humans. Spray cedar oil to your garden and directly onto clothes or bodies to eradicate stubborn pests.

Cedar oil kills ticks and fleas in six different ways including dissolving larvae, preventing breathing, neutralizing body fluids, emulsifying body fats as well as interfering with processes necessary for feeding, reproduction, movement and metabolism. In addition to ticks and fleas, cedar oil can also prove useful in the fight against mosquitoes.

It is an effective insect repellant as bugs cannot stand the smell of cedar oil. The best thing about this method is that is completely non-toxic to pets and humans. Spray cedar oil to your garden and directly onto clothes or bodies to eradicate stubborn pests.

Lemon flea spray

Commercial flea sprays often contain toxic chemicals. Rather than shell out your money to buy something that may prove detrimental to your health, consider whipping up your own flea spray at home. All you need is water and lemons.

It’s important to note that while this spray doesn’t kill ticks or fleas, it helps control them after pets have been bathed and their beddings washed. To make homemade lemon flea spray, cut six lemons into halves and boil them in a quart of water for about five minutes. Steep the lemons in the water with a lid on the pan overnight.

This allows the lemon’s juices and oils to blend well with the water. Pour the liquid into a clean spray bottle. You can use this spray on your pet’s fur, dog bed, beddings and anywhere around the house where fleas and ticks live. You can also place several drops of lemon essential oil outside your pet’s collar for better results.

Baking soda

The secret to eradicating pests, particularly ticks and fleas, is killing their larvae and eggs. That’s where baking soda comes to the picture. It is an inexpensive yet effective method of killing and controlling infestation of fleas.

An important note when using baking soda to get rid of ticks and fleas is to ensure that it is still active. To test for this, add a few drops of vinegar. If it doesn’t bubble and continue to do so for the new few minutes, consider replacing your baking soda.

Keep the pets outside when treating your home as baking soda can irritate their skin, especially if they have open wounds and sores. Sprinkle baking soda mixed with salt on all affected areas in the house uniformly. Leave it overnight before vacuuming thoroughly.

Salt

If you are facing a tick or flea nightmare and don’t know what to do, try using salt to eradicate the pests. Ticks and fleas can be frustrating for pets. They both cause a lot of itching and fleas bite your loved ones, causing itchy, painful wounds.

Table salt is a common mineral substance primarily made up of sodium chloride. It is inexpensive, readily available and safer compared to chemical pest controllers. Being a dehydrating agent, salt works by attracting water content from the surface of ticks’ and fleas’ bodies, thus leaving them exposed and vulnerable to damage by any pest treatment. Such include borax, salt mixture, life cycle interruption or death by natural causes.

To work effectively, ensure that you vacuum carpets, floors and boards before sprinkling the salt. Also take care not to sprinkle on the indoors and forget about the outdoors. As an additional precaution, DON’T sprinkle salt directly to cat or dog.

Apple cedar vinegar

The acidic taste of apple cedar vinegar makes it a great alternative to chemical pesticides when it comes to eradicating flea and tick infestations. Rather than put plain apple cedar vinegar directly onto your pet’s skin, consider making a diluted solution to prevent skin irritation.

• Mix one ounce of Castille soap, one quart warm water and one cup of apple cedar vinegar. This solution is strong enough to kill stubborn ticks and fleas, but not so strong that you will smell it.
• You can also add 2-3 drops of an essential oil, particularly cedar or lavender oil, to give the mixture an extra something to repel the ticks and fleas.

So that’s our list of natural flea and tick remedies. Have you discovered anymore that’s worked for you? We’d love to hear about it!