Naturally Easy Solutions for Safe and Effective Flea & Tick Control

 

Ticks have been a major problem the past few years.  Here are some tried and true natural solutions we use regularly and have proven safe and effective for use around us, our children and our pets.

 

1.  Food grade Diatomaceous Earth: Diatomaceous Earth is the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton. When sprinkled on a bug that has an exoskeleton (such as bed bugs, ants or fleas) it compromises their waxy coating so that they dehydrate and die. But it doesn't hurt mammals. We can eat it. We do eat it! It's in lots of grain based foods because lots of grains are stored with diatomaceous earth to keep the bugs from eating the grain! This powder can be sprinkled around the foundation of your home or anywhere you find fleas, ticks, ants, earwigs or other crawling pests.

 

2.  Wood Chips or Stones:  Ticks cling to taller plants in order to crawl onto a host such as you or your dog passing by and brushing up against such plants.  Using wood chips or stones in borders will help keep ticks from entering your yard.

 

3.  As stated above, ticks prefer taller plants and grasses.  By keeping your yard mowed, you will be helping to keep ticks out of your yard.

 

4.  Get rid of insects that you don't want by attracting their natural enemies.  Beneficial insects such as Spiders, ladybugs and praying mantises can be attracted to your yard by incorporating plants such as thyme, oregano, daisies, dill, fennel, zinnias, and sunflowers.

 

5.  Add bird feeders to attract a variety of birds to your yard.

 

6.  Beneficial Nematodes.  These naturally occurring microscopic organisms attack and consume an extensive number of pest insects living in a larval or pupal stage (such as ticks, fleas, grubs, caterpillars and more).  Beneficial nematodes pose no health risk to humans or animals and only attack soil dwelling insects, leaving plants and earthworms alone.  It may take a few years to build up a population of beneficial nemetodes large enough to control the pests in your yard (depending on the number of pests in your yard).  Once a self sustaining population is established, the benefits can last for many years to come.

 

7.  Natural Yard and Garden Sprays:  We do use a few additional natural products on our pets for added protection both on and off property throughout the summer months to help and boost our own protection.  These products can be purchased in our on-site retail store.  For more information, please call, email or stop in!

 

These methods can be used together...we incorporate all of these products/methods and have had great success!

 

Flea & Tick Products - Customer Favorites

DIY Natural Citrus Spray

 

We use a simple, easy to make citrus spray to kill fleas and ticks...Here is our recipe:

 

Using lemons, oranges, limes and/or grapefruit, score tiny cuts in the peel and slice into several pieces and place in a bowl. You can use any citrus fruit. Lemon is very effective, but oranges, limes and grapefruit will work as well.

 

Put one cup of water for every lemon/lime/orange/grapefruit used into a pan and bring to a boil. Pour the boiling water over the fruit slices. Soak the mixture overnight.

 

Strain and pour just the liquid into a spray bottle and discard the fruit. This citrus spray is safe to use on most surfaces and even directly on you and your pets (avoid spraying in eyes).  Dilute the mixture for use on cats or rabbits, which have sensitive skin.

 

Spray the mixture every two or three days to kill and repel fleas and ticks.  Spray as needed when walking/hiking in wooded areas, after swimming, etc.

 

 

From the Alzoo Website:

 

BEFORE YOU SNUGGLE

 

Flea & Tick Collars made with synthetic chemical insecticides may actually pose risks for both pet and household members.  Studies show the chemicals used in protecting our pets may affect our nervous systems, endocrine systems, and may be carcinogenic.  Some are in the process of being pulled from the market but others remain widely available.

 

Spot-On products made with synthetic chemical insecticides may compromise the wellbeing of the pet's home occupants.  Studies discuss the risk of accidental ingestion of insecticides when family members fail to wash their hands after petting.  Believe it or not, when a pet's fur is shed it becomes part of the household dust; that's how a synthetic chemical insecticide used in a Spot-On can then be inhaled by household occupants.

 

Looking for products safe for your pet, your famly, and our environment?  Just ask for ALZOO REPELLENT COLLARS and SPOT-ON products at your local pet store.  Take an all natural approach and create an ALZOO repellent zone in your home.  You'll spend less to protect a pet with ALZOO, too!

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