Natural Flea and Tick Control for Pets

Our four-legged friends are, without question, a part of our family, and our houses would not be homes without them. We care for our pets with love, ensuring they have access to ample exercise, stimulating toys, and all-natural pet food. Another crucial area of care for pets is flea and tick prevention, which becomes even more important as the weather warms up.

Fleas are a nuisance to pets and humans alike, causing itching, scabs, and worms – not to mention they are a hassle to get rid of. Ticks, on the other hand, are harder to spot and can carry Lyme disease, which dogs and some cats can contract. Lyme disease can be impossible to get rid of and may cause joint pain, swelling, reduced appetite, and even kidney failure.

It’s clear that in order to provide the best care for our pets, we must place flea and tick control at the top of our lists, but is there a way to do so without harsh chemicals and poisons? Keep reading for tips on how to naturally keep your pet and home pest-free this summer, and all year long.

Understanding the Flea & Tick Population

The majority (up to 85%) of the flea and tick population is comprised of eggs and larvae, and killing them is the easiest way to reduce the population. However, most of the time when we see fleas and ticks on our pets they are the annoying adults which are more difficult to get rid of. Our best defense against fleas and ticks involves using preventative medication and treating our yards and surrounding areas to kill eggs and larvae before they mature.

Natural Flea and Tick Prevention

Some natural ways to reduce fleas and ticks in your yard are surrounding areas are by planting rosemary and putting out tick tubes, which use permethrin soaked cotton balls to kill ticks where they hatch. You can also use a spray that introduces nematodes (tiny worms) into your yard, within 24 hours, this method can decrease the number of larvae in your yard by 90%.

In addition, Wondercide, a natural pet care company, makes a Flea & Tick Control Yard + Garden Concentrate which is eco-friendly and designed to keep fleas and ticks out of your yard.

When it comes to your home’s interior, you can sprinkle boric acid on your carpet before vacuuming to eradicate ticks and spray a safe chemical called nylar to your hard floors and surfaces.

Our Favorite Flea and Tick Control Products

When it comes to skin care and bath products for your pet, we recommend purchasing natural, trusted items that will prevent pests while being kind to your pet’s skin.

Anti-Itch Sprays

When fleas, ticks, or other skin irritations pop up, sooth your pet with Itchy Owie Ointment from Pet Wellbeing. This balm uses a blend of soothing herbs like calendula and marshmallow root, as well as aloe vera juice and vitamin E in a base made of nourishing coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil and certified-organic beeswax.

Preventative Sprays

Keep fleas and ticks off your pet by coating their fur with a natural, preventative spray like Flea + Tick Spray for Dogs and Cats from Pet Naturals of Vermont. Using a blend of essential oils, this product soothes your pet’s skin while keeping pests at bay.

Bath Products

Flea and Tick Natural Shampoo Bar from Wondercide uses citronella and geranium protect your pet from insect bites.

How do you keep your beloved pets free from fleas and ticks without an added side of harsh chemicals? What natural pet care products do you use on your furry friends? Share your tips in the comments section below.

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Photo by ipet photo on Unsplash

6 Tips to Protect Your Plants

Your plants will look healthier and perform better if they are protected from certain things. Just like animals, plants suffer from inclement weather as well as uninvited guests like plant-eating beetles and other pests. To make it easier for plants to cope, there are few things you can do to help. Read ahead to learn six important tips to protect your plants from insects, weather and other damage.

Try These Steps to Promote Healthy Plants

Add Organic Matter to the Soil

Water penetration depends to a large extent on the type of soil. A sandy soil has large particles and water passes through it rapidly. For clay soil, particles are smaller and will make water penetration much slower. The solution in both instances is to add organic matter to the soil. Such materials as natural composts will help to balance things and improve the water-holding capacity of soil.

Use Organic Mulch to Retain Water

Mulching is efficient in reducing evaporation of available water and blocking thirsty plants. Organic mulches also retain water and make it available to plants when needed. In addition, organic mulches will also improve soil quality and the humidity around plants. Salt, shredded newspaper, chopped leaves, grass clippings, and composts are common organic mulches.

Deliver Water to the Root Zone

During the heat of the summer or during a drought, there is a need to get water to the root zone of plants. Instead of relying on sprinklers, go for drip irrigation and soaker hoses. This way, you will get water to the root systems of your plants and ensure their survival. Weeds will also be starved of water and controlled.

Handpick Insect Pests off Plants

This may seem like a hard work, but it will be fun. Pests like caterpillars, slugs, snails, and other large adult insects and through them into soapy water. For tiny insects and egg masses, shake them off plant leaves into soapy water or a piece of paper and dispose of them properly. Handpicking insects is a great way to protect plants in your garden, but this will not work in large farms.

Encourage Beneficial Insects

There are beneficial insects that will help you in a number of ways. They feed on the harmful insects and will not harm your plant in the process. Insects like lady beetles, lacewings, praying mantis, and trichogramma wasps. Be sure to plant crops that attract these insects, or introduce them on purpose.

Use Non-Toxic Sprays

There are non-toxic sprays that can help you control many pests. Forceful spray of water alone can be helpful. There are insecticides made from plant extracts as well as horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps that can help you to control pests.

Use these tips to help protect your plants from pests and extreme weather conditions. This will go a long way in helping the growth and development of your healthy plants.

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Photo by Celeste Makow on Unsplash