We all love our animals but unfortunately, so do fleas. Gamera, one of my four cats, is particularly sensitive to flea bites. Although he is an inside cat, this year the fleas found him. After several failed attempts with commercial products, this recipe along with our family’s diligence helped him get rid of the nasty bloodsuckers. I put one drop on the back of his neck every week.
Flea Bane Oil alone won’t dissolve the menace. My kids and I give the cats weekly flea combing during the summer when infestation is most likely and monthly flea combing in the winter. Carpets have to be vacuumed and fabric the animals sleep on should be washed regularly. A daily sprinkling of brewer’s yeast flakes onto your animal’s food helps keep their vitamin B levels up, which helps prevent fleas from getting too cozy. A cedar shaving bed does a fine job of keeping both bugs and fungus away as well.
If your animal friends have hot spots from flea allergies that need attention before they chew themselves raw, try a squirt of The Practical Herbalist’s Bug Spray – Regular Formula on the areas well away from the face. Edgy animals may bolt when they hear the squirting sound from the spritzer so hold them firmly before giving them a little squirt. Worn areas near the face can be eased by gently rubbing a dab of calendula oil near the spot to ease the inflammation.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce of almond oil
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
- 10 drops clove essential oil
- 10 drops pennyroyal essential oil
Equipment
- 1 glass bottle with glass dropper in the lid
- 1 label
Procedure
- Pour one ounce of almond oil into the glass bottle.
- Count 10 drops of each essential oil into the bottle.
- Screw the lid firmly on the bottle.
- Label the bottle properly.
- Shake the bottle several times to mix the ingredients before use.
Storage and Use
Gamera’s Flea Bane Oil should be stored in a colored glass container to protect it from the deteriorating effects of sunlight.
Keep the finished oil out of eyes or tender areas such as open wounds.
Wash your hands after use.
Warning
This is an essential oil blend intended to be used a few drops a week on the back of an animal’s neck for flea protection. Follow instructions carefully. More is NOT better.
Tree tree oil is toxic to small aniamls and aniamls with comprimised nervous systems. Never substitute tea tree oil for any of these ingredients.