Fleas are no joke and some reason they really really like me...ugh! Bella is lucky she is such a cute little dog because she has brought fleas in with her a few times. The last time we went camping she somehow brought a few home with her and I woke up with the all too familiar itchy red bites all over my legs. So I pulled out all the stops. Sprinkled diatomaceous earth all over the carpet, put flea lights out, gave the dog a flea bath and made up this spray to spray down the mattress and myself before bed. Thankfully I did not wake up with anymore bites!
So what is Diatomaceous Earth?
Diatomaceous Earth or DE is made from the fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms called diatoms. When the skeletons decompose they turn into silica. You can find it at your local Tractor Supply store or feed stores as it is also used to keep bacteria out of feed for livestock. The powder is very fine so you want to be careful not to inhale it. I sprinkled it all over the carpet, let it sit for a few hours, then vacuumed it up. You will need to empty the vacuum and re-vacuum a few time. Also be sure when you are done to wash out your vacuum filters too.
Flea Lights
I wanted a non toxic way to trap any fleas that may still be hiding out so I found these flea traps that attract fleas by the heat of the light. There is a sticky mat inside that traps them. Click here for the traps I used.
DIY Flea Spray
So being a naturally minded person I did not want to use a bunch of chemicals to give my dog a flea bath so I found something that's active ingredients were all essential oils! That got me thinking... Why not make a spray using the same oils! So I looked at the ratios of each oil used and came up with this recipe that worked great for us! Next time I plan to add these essential oils to the Animal Scents Shampoo from Young Living I use on her and make my own flea bath :)
Supplies:
8 oz glass spray bottle
3 oz. distilled or purified water
3 oz. neutral spirit (I used vodka)
20 drops Thyme essential oil
25 drops Peppermint essential oil
35 drops Clove essential oil
40 drops Rosemary essential oil
40 drops Cedarwood essential oil
Recipe:
- Using a funnel add the water and vodka to the glass spray bottle.
- Add in the essential oils.
- Screw on spray top and shake well to mix.
- Spray all over the mattress, dogs bed (then wash it), yourself or other areas where you notice flea activity. I personally sprayed my mattress down a few times then again right before bed and spray myself before bed as well. I like to be extra cautious :)
Peppermint essential oilThis oil can be diffused to create a stimulating, focused atmosphere for daily tasks. You can also apply it topically to create a cool, tingling sensation on the skin, which can be very soothing after hard physical activity. I find peppermint is a must to apply to itchy bug bites to help cool and stop the itch. See my itch stick recipe here. Lots of critters do not like peppermint like mice too. You can take glass jars of DE, add a few drops of Peppermint to them and stash them on the basement to keep the mice away. Also great mixed in a spray bottle with equal parts water and neutral spirit for ants inside the house.
I am here to help you along you path to natural healing with essential oils. I will be here to help and support you on your journey. I provide a welcome gift to help you get started ad many other resources too.
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