I watch college football in the Fall. I enjoy it. Roll Tide.
It is not my life. I know the rules, more or less. I know who some of the players are, I know the rankings (generally), and I can recognize a few formations.
I wouldn’t know a “flea flicker” if the ball hit me in the face.
But I have a couple in my house — (you knew that joke was coming).
When I was at the court house last week filing my paperwork to form my company, the clerk who was helping me asked what I did about fleas, ticks & heart worm prevention. She didn’t like giving her dogs chemicals, and neither do I.
Excellent question, madam clerk! Let me see what I can learn!
My book suggests that a healthier dog that regularly receives the proper nutrients will be naturally more resistant to pests. But at this early stage in the game, I’m not willing to risk an infestation and end up spewing a chemical fog into my house just based on dietary hopes.
At least not yet.
Citronella, lemongrass, and catnip are all known for their mosquito repellent qualities. I’ve read of herbal shampoos that contain lemongrass. I might give that a whirl and let you know how it goes.
But for day-to-day avoidance, I need a better defense against an unrelenting O-line of hungry bugs. I searched the shelves of a new, all natural pet supply store that just opened in Homewood. The Whole Dog Market (also in Atlanta) offers a variety of natural supplements (among other wonderful things).
They recommended Earth Animal’s “All Natural Flea & Tick Program,” which is a daily herbal powder supplement.
Contents: Alfalfa, Garlic, Spirulina, Kelp, Papaya, Neem, Nettles, and Hawthorne.
Wait. Garlic? Aren’t we supposed to NOT give garlic to dogs?
Excessive and prolonged ingestion of garlic and onions can cause Heinz-body anemia in dogs, which is potentially life-threatening, and which is why they’re on the WNTF (what not to feed) list. But garlic is also good for the heart. And the small amount in this powder doesn’t concern me.
Kelp and other seaweeds sooth and cleanse the digestive tract, and improve glandular function.
Neem is a natural pesticide.
Nettle contains protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, potassium, beta carotene, and vitamins A, B-complex, C & D. (Damn! Get ME some!)
But all of this together, according to the claims on the container, make your dog unattractive to fleas, ticks & mosquitos. I’m much more comfortable with an ingredient list I can pronounce and am familiar with.
They each get half a teaspoon a day, mixed with their morning yogurt, and do not seem to mind.
I’ve not seen any fleas. I’ll let you know if I do.
pugs & kisses,
The HOL Dog 
That’s an interesting combination. I have a pug and a little bichon . The only time I found a flea was a few years ago, while they had the chemical drops on them. They both got pretty sick too. I don’t know what I was thinking, using those drops. Never again. Now, like you, I make their food and I make a lotion with rose geranium oil to deter the tics.
LikeLike
I’ve read about rose geranium oil recently. Glad to know it actually works! I was going to try to make a shampoo with essential oils to see how that goes.
LikeLike
The thing with using essential oils is that they have to be reapplied often as they wear off. If your tablets work, that sounds like a better bet. I
LikeLike
One of my activities for the natural pet healthcare class I’m taking is to make a flea spray with essential oils. I’m going to try it this weekend. I’ll let you know if it works, or if the time/money investment isn’t worth it.
LikeLike
Sounds good. Food grade diamataceous earth is cheap and easy
LikeLike