Natural ways to stay flea free this summer

Now that it is officially summer it that time of year where pet owners start waging their own personal war against fleas.  Hot, humid conditions are the perfect breeding ground for these small, blood sucking creatures.

What is a pet owner to do when man's best friend is being bitten so much that they scratch themselves raw and cause hot spots and infection?  I personally have a dog that is very allergic to fleas and she is miserable unless we get the situation under control. 

Many pet owners are forced to put chemicals on their pets only to find out that the fleas are back within a couple of weeks.  We personally have tried several prescription flea treatments.  It never fails.  By week 2 the dogs are back to scratching.  

Many others have harsh chemicals sprayed in their yard.  The chemicals can be harmful to children and pets as well as damaging to the environment.  Certain chemicals in pesticides have been linked to cancer and asthma, as well as other diseases.

You can skip all the expensive chemicals and still rid your home of fleas.  Here are some natural flea treatments that I have relied on in the past and they seem to work great!

1. Ectopamine Spray - Ectopamine is a natural flea and tick spray for dogs and cats.  It contains natural ingredients that kill fleas and ticks, and repel mosquitoes.
2. Beneficial nematodes - Nematodes are tiny worms that eat fleas.  You spray them in your yard to kill fleas as well as other pests in your yard.
3. Diatomaceous Earth - Diatomaceous Earth is a fine powder that can be sprinkled in the yard.  It is made out of crushes shells.  It works by cutting into the fleas causing them to dry out and die.
4. Borax and salt - You can make your own indoor flea treatment by mixing equal parts of salt and borax.  Borax can be found in your grocery store's cleaning aisle and works by dehydrating the fleas.  the salt works the same way but has sharper edges causing small cuts that cause the flea to dehydrate faster.     Sprinkle the mixture in carpets and on furniture.  Rub in with a broom.  Allow to sit for a few hours then vacuum.   
5. Vacuuming - Vacuuming regularly will get rid of fleas and their eggs.  Just be sure to change the bag every time or you will hatch the eggs in the vacuum and release the adults back into your house.                                                                                                                               

By staying vigilant you can stop fleas before they become a huge problem.  In the end you will have happier and healthier pets.