We have spent a lot of time “Summer-izing” our yard this past week. Many hours of weed pulling, weed whacking, John-Deering, sprinkling powders and natural sprays and, in general, preparing ourselves for “that time of year” when the little pests want to jump on us, our 4-legged friends and reap their havoc. This Post is to help you “weed” through the truth of these varmints!

Everywhere we go, there are ads for the collars, sprays and gels to fight these parasites. Parasites are one of the most common health problems that our animals will face. The most common parasites are fleas and ticks while others include intestinal parasites like roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms and heartworms. I hope to help you navigate through all the commercialization and streamline the mystery.

How Can We Prevent Parasites?

Preventing (“ounce of prevention…”) fleas and ticks is easier than ridding yourself of an infestation, so taking precautions is the very best method. There are a number of ways to prevent fleas and ticks, and it’s best to approach protection and prevention from multiple angles.

Firstly, the very best way to keep fleas and ticks away from your pet is by keeping your home, yard and pet clean and clear from being the kind of place these varmints will want to land in.

Last fall the FDA put out a warning against the topical and oral medications due to many reports of seizures and even deaths. The high probability toward adverse reactions make these a terrible option for our beloved furry companions. A short Google search will show you more than you want to know about what has become all too normal. Here’s one link to explain adverse reactions that have been linked to the top sources of flea medications: https://www.isbravectosafe.com/bravectotruefacts.htm

There are better, less expensive ways !

So, do you want to know what have I done to ward against these pesty varmits? I plant rosemary, and lemon balm around the perimeter of our home. After a good mowing and weed-wacking (like yesterday), I will sprinkle Diatomacious Earth all over the lawn, flower beds and anywhere my dogs spend time. More about DE here: https://richsoil.com/diatomaceous-earth.jsp I also purchased the yard and lawn care concentrate from Wondercide (uses a high concentrate of Essential Oils) and sprayed the perimeter of the yard.

All items I describe, I try to provide a link on my website here: https://lifewithcavalierkingcharlesspaniels.com/recommended-items/

We pulled up ALL carpets and removed fabric-types of furniture this past winter, so keeping those little buggers off the floors and main sitting rooms should be easy-peasy. I took all the pet beds to a laundry mat recently (as I do every 3-6 months) and have sprinkled cedar chips in and under their beds. Just like outside, I diffuse EOs (Essential Oils) such as lemon, eucalyptus, and rosemary. This helps keep fleas as well as mosquitoes at bay. Bathing the dogs (apx. once a month) using any one of the EOs above as well as Neem Oil helps externally. I also think of keeping the INTERNAL parasites away as well is simple:

Put Your Pet in a High Alkaline State

It’s easy to check the ph of your pet using the Alkaline Strips. 7.0 and higher does not draw parasites, in fact, some people believe it might deter them. How do I do that? Read on…

First of all, I have done a LOT of research about the pet food industry and I am convinced that for the health and well being of my dogs, I now grind and feed my pets raw meat fruit and vegetables. In addition, I add apple cider vinegar to their drinking water. Yes, it’s just that easy. For the internal parasites, I grind a few natural sources (pumpkin seeds and black walnut to name a few) to add to their food (added bonus, it helps with expressing the anal glands as well). See this site for more ideas: https://www.top10homeremedies.com/pets/home-remedies-intestinal-parasites-worms-dogs.html When I take my pets to the Veterinarian, I am sure to bring a stool sample to have them test and make sure I am being thorough. So far, we are doing great!

Dealing With A Current Infestation

If you already have experienced a flea problem, it’s important to act fast to get rid of it. Fleas multiply at a rapid rate and the problem gets worse by the day. Fleas do seem to like the sweetness of puppies, and you should be extremely cautious when applying ANY medicines or even essential oils to puppies under 6 months.

Look around your home and yard with a keen eye for places that parasites might be lurking. Things like wandering cats and dogs, keeping garbage locked up tight to keep out rodents, etc. and by keeping your yard mowed and free of tall weeds or grasses will deter any little bugger!

Regularly Check Your Pets For Fleas And Ticks

I comb and groom my pets a few times a week (call it therapy for me), but Friday Nights have been my “Weekly Routine” to check each one thoroughly with a flea comb (in addition to cleaning ears, teeth, nails, etc.) Regularly check for signs of fleas, ticks and parasites (yes, you HAVE to look at the poo!). If you live in an area that is tick-prone, and if your pet spends time outdoors, you’ll need to check for ticks regularly, as they are carriers of diseases for both animals and humans. And, of course, when we are expecting puppies and having those little ones in our home, we are extra careful to comb and rid any and all pests, combing daily.

This map shows if your area is prone to lymes disease:   https://www.petsandparasites.org/parasite-prevalence-maps#2019/all/lyme-disease/dog/united-states/ Even though I live in an area that is claimed to not have any reports of lymes from ticks, I do know that Deer ticks are alive and well in our area. I personally know several dear friends who have suffered the horrid disease. Remembering that a little effort goes a long way, I will do what it takes to protect all my loved ones!

Remember, it’s easier to prevent the challenges in our lives as well as the lives of our pets rather than peddling backward. If you choose to medicate, please do your research before giving to your pet, no matter what way you choose to protect. Choosing NOT to protect is also an option…remember, it’s your choice. Have you used another (non-toxic) tried and true method that you believe really works? Please let all of us know!