Help me get rid of Fleas and Tics please!...

Fleas and Ticks - Prevention and Treatment...
Flea Treatment of the Home:
Fleas lay eggs, and the eggs fall off where the pet goes. This means that you must treat your house if your pet has picked up fleas. The life cycle of a flea is about four weeks, so even with diligent treatment, it will probably take that long to rid your environment of fleas. Different products have different levels of effectiveness depending on the flea growth stage (egg, larva, adult), so typically a combination of products is required. Some people use foggers with success, while others find it best to hire a pest control professional. Still others use natural-based approaches as their primary weapon against fleas.

* Chemicals used to control and kill pre-adult fleas indoors include Precor. This is typically paired with a chemical that kills adult fleas, such a pyrethrin (tetramethrin, pyrethrin or permethrin) or an organophosphate. These chemicals are usually packaged in the form of foggers and sprays.

Three effective non-chemical flea control treatments for your home suggested by pet care writer Paula Dupy:

* There are anti-flea mineral salt treatments for your carpets that can be professionally applied. One is available from sources such as Fleabusters, which by the way is a cruelty-free business. Fleabusters Rx for Fleas has an extremely low toxic level on par with table salt and less than boric acid powder, which is another effective home bug treatment. Rx for Fleas Powder works by dehydrating fleas, flea larvae and flea eggs in the carpet and floor cracks of your home. The mineral salt-type treatments should be effective for up to a year. For details on this and other flea control products, see http://www.fleabusters.com and http://www.xfleas.com

* Amorphous diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled around baseboards, under furniture, in cracks, and areas you can�t reach with the vacuum cleaner. It is messy to use, but is effective and kills the fleas by causing them to dehydrate. Do not use the glassified type used in swimming pool filters. There is also a borax-based product available.

* You can also make your own flea trap: Fill a shallow container, such as a glass pie pan, halfway full of water and add a couple of drops of dish soap. Set the container on the floor and place a light directly over it. A small gooseneck lamp or Tensor-type reading light is perfect. The bulb should be fairly low wattage. You don�t want to heat the area too far beyond the water.

Flea Treatment of Yards:

Flea eggs fall off in areas of the yard where pets spend time. Fleas can reproduce in areas that are warm and moist throughout the day, so if you are treating your yard for fleas, focus on those areas that stay moist and warm and around the doors of the house.

* There are chemical-based yard sprays made specifically for yard treatment, as well as companies that provide this service. Commercial treatments include Archer and FleaFix. You can obtain more information by doing a web search.

* If you plan to use a commercial product, first read the label to make sure it�s safe for use around pets.

Some do-it-yourself approaches that can help you save money and avoid chemicals:

* Spread nematodes in affected areas of the yard. These worms help eliminate fleas by feeding on flea larva. They are non-toxic and are available from companies such as Interrupt. You can get them through some veterinarians. Details at http://www.vetinfo.com/dencyclopedia/defleacontrol.html .

* Ivory Liquid Soap approach: Rather than poisoning fleas, Ivory reportedly reduces and rids fleas, gnats and other bugs that have a complex trachea through suffocation. To use Ivory to spray your yard, use a garden sprayer attachment such as the one made by Ortho Sprayer. Fill it with Ivory and set the dilution dial to 2 tablespoons. Saturate the area, then let it dry before allowing your dog or anyone else walk on the treated ground. Using this method, people treat their yards every 4 to 6 weeks.

* Another home-made solution to repel insects from your yard (from Hints from Heloise): Make a solution of 1/2-cup of liquid dishwashing soap, 2 tablespoons of ammonia, and 5 to 7 cups of water. Use a bottle spray attachment with spray the solution to eliminate the insects.

* A good, fairly safe way to keep mosquitoes away is to spray your yard once a week with Simple Green, which is available at home and garden stores.

Shampooing:

* A flea shampoo that contains pyrethrum or citrus oil is usually effective, and these additives are less toxic than harsh chemicals.

* When you shampoo your pet, wash around the neck first to keep fleas away from the animal�s head.

* Before shampooing, read the directions that came with the flea/tick control products you use.

* Before bathing, plug the dog�s ears with cotton balls and put a dab of mineral oil in the eyes.

* Shower hose attachments are available at home improvement stores. Some attach right behind your regular showerhead.

* Smaller dogs can be bathed in the kind of rubber storage bin available at big discount stores. Metal washtubs are available from agriculture supply merchants.

* FYI, here�s a recipe for a gentle home-made shampoo for puppies and dogs with extra dry or troubled skin.

1/3 Cup Glycerin
1 Cup Lemon Liquid Joy
1 Cup White Vinegar
1 Quart of Water

Mix in a liter bottle or a large shampoo bottle. Always shake the solution before use to mix the glycerin thoroughly.

* On a somewhat unrelated note, for a waterless bath, sprinkle baking soda on your pet and brush off the excess.

Related Webpages:

Remedies for Insect Stings and Bites, Hot Spots and other Skin Conditions:
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIP...nsectBites.php

Summer Health and Safety Guide:
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIP...mmerHealth.php

Poison Prevention and Treatment:
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 24-hour emergency hotline at 1-888-4-ANI-HELP
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer...=apcc_whattodo
http://www.apcc.aspca.org
http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/dogs/
http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/pets/150
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIP...ip_Poison.html

Natural Remedies:
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/ahealth.htm
http://www.petmedicinechest.com
http://www.rainbowcrystal.com/bach/bach.html

Tick Diseases:
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/Dogtip_1112.html

First Aid Kit and Guidance:
Keep a pet First Aid Kit in your home and car. Take the one you keep in your car with you on trips with your pet. This webpage lists items to include:
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIP...p_FirstAid.php

CPR and Mouth-to-Snout Resuscitation:
Print these life-saving brochures to have on hand!
http://members.aol.com/henryhbk/acpr.html
http://www.rescuecritters.com/cpr.html

When traveling, you can find a nearby veterinarian using AAHA's Animal Hospital Locator:
http://www.healthypet.com/HP_Findahospital.htm

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For more Dog Tips about pet care, adoption and the work PAW does, visit our website at:
www.paw-rescue.org

Partnership for Animal Welfare, Inc.
P.O. Box 1074, Greenbelt, MD 20768

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Bet Bellaluna will be interested in this one!

wonderful information.

Just to add on -
using of essential oil will help to repel ticks and fleas.
Just drop a few drops of lavendar oil onto your dog's collar to keep the pests away.

I will normally use lemongrass essential oil to clear the environment of pests too.