Here are some natural tips to combat pesky little critters:
All Essential Oils should be mixed with a Carrier Oil (in making a concentrated solution) OR with water (in a spray bottle) as EO’s can be too strong and irritate skin if used alone.
Making 2 or 3 different combinations of EO’s and changing daily can also help repel those pesky critters!
Last summer I took my lawn chair and sat by 2 fresh piles of poop, courtesy of Teeghan & The Doogan-meister. 😉 I sprayed each one with a different EO mix and by golly it worked!!! Except for those tiny flies with a iridescent green body!
There are many EO’s…..some better than others for insect repellent.
Catnip (Nepta Cataria) not Catmint
Rose Geranium
Eucalyptus or Blue Gum Oil
Lavender Oil – High Elevation (Lavendula angustifolia)
Citronella
Cedar Wood
Clary Sage
Peppermint
Essential Oils: There are different grades of Essential Oils. “Genuine & Authentic or Grade A” is when specific care is taken from growing to processing. Others can be processed with chemicals or may even be synthetic! You know the old saying; you get what you pay for? A $5.95 .5ml bottle of Essential Oil from the health food store is MUCH less potent than $15.00 for a .5 ml bottle directly from the E-Oil Company! You’ll end up using more oil AND using it more often actually making it more expensive and less effective!
To locate EO’s: google ananda apothecary
These are mixing bottles: google ananda apothecary
For Spray:
Mix 20 drops (or more, if dog will tolerate it) of chosen EO with 2 cups of spring or distilled water in a clean spray bottle. Keep out of sun and away from heat. Shake before each use as the oil separates from the water. Spray all over dog including legs and belly. Keep away from eyes. Also, take this along to the shows with you and spray the area you set up in!
For Concentrate:
Sweet Almond Essential Oil:This is a “Carrier Oil” that the E Oils can be mixed with.This is one of the most useful, practical, and commonly used oil. It is great for all skin types. A natural expeller pressed oil from raw almond kernels and exceptionally rich in fatty acids.
*Mix 10-25 drops of chosen EO mixed with 2 Tablespoons of Sweet Almond Oil in a dropper bottle.
*Part hair and apply drops in areas down center of their back. Dot the mixture lightly on to the tips of dog’s ears but not close to eyes. You can also drop some on to their collar for a test trial to make sure they are not sensitive to it before applying to their body.
When smell dissipates, re-apply
For Itching: TOPICAL: Dapis Gel for topical use: a combination of 2 homeopathic’s, Apis and Ledum: http://boiron.ca/en/products/first-aid-sports/apis-gel/
For Itching: INTERNAL: “Bug Bite” combo homeopathic’s by HomeoPet: http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/HomeoPet-Bug-Bite/120009.aspx
“Neem Oil” should be noted as a warning for children and pregnant mothers. http://www.livestrong.com/article/24498-neem-oil/ Children, infants and women who are pregnant should not use neem oil due to possible miscarriage. Long-term use and large doses of neem is not recommended.
Word Of Warning: Although PENNYROYAL (Mentha puleglum) is a natural insect repellent, it could cause liver damage or death to your pet if not used correctly, so this is one essential oil I would NOT recommend using. Also it could possibly be hazardous to a pregnant mother, human or animal, and to the unborn baby. This is absorbed through the bare skin and could have disastrous results. So please check labels when choosing a prepared item whether shampoo or repellent. Also Wormwood would fall into this category.
Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth rubbed throughout their coat (or rugs or bedding) is messy, but a great way to kill fleas!
Hope this helps! 🙂
Thank you Karen! Great information. Effective and smells lovely too.
My pleasure! 🙂
Karen, you’re da bomb!
Da Bug Bomb! 😉
Karen this is wonderful information. I have to ask what exactly did you spray on the piles of poop? Digger is so distracted by the poop flies sometimes he finds it hard to concentrate on the job he is supposed to be doing! He does however have very good eye/tongue coordination as he catches and eats the tiniest of flying insects:)
Hi There Ron & Nancy!
One was Rose Geranium, Lavender and Citronella.
The other was Catnip (Nepta Cataria) and Cedarwood.
I had to laugh last year when Barb, Syd’s Mommie from Florida, had a “Mad Scientist” moment after she opened her box of EO’s, Carrier Oils and mixing bottles! But, I believe wine (for her) was also involved! Too funny!
Make sure you test some drops on your Fur Baby’s collar first to make sure there isn’t a sensitivity. Some dogs’ may not like the smell of EO’s (you know those sensitive GSD noses!) but they get use to it after a time.
Good luck and let me know if I can help further. 🙂
Do be careful with the Diatomaceous Earth. I have followed this woman, Felice’s web site ( http://felineinstincts.com/ ) for years and she finally published a book last year. I purchased it and the first story is about her first cat who died from a build up of Diatomaceous Earth in her lungs and heart. Felice put in on her carpet to combat Texas water bugs (which can be huge here!). She was able to save her other cats with this knowledge and cleaned up their lungs with the help of a wholistic vet. Their hearts never suffered the congestive heart failure that her first cat did. I am unsure how a dog or humans would fare with this. I used to use it indoors near our front door but now just use it outside.