Eucalyptus oil for fleas is used by many people who wish to control this infestation through natural methods, and not use chemical-based products. This DogAppy article discusses the ways through which you can use this essential oil efficaciously to get an environment free from fleas!
If you have cats in your house, then using eucalyptus oil for flea control is not advised. This is because this oil may prove to be harmful for cats as they metabolize differently from other animals. Use of certain essential oils may cause poisoning, the symptoms of which may include vomiting, salivation, lethargy, and diarrhea/constipation.
That being said, flea control becomes a crucial measure, especially for those home owners who have pets in their house. Unlike the general notion that fleas are the “price you have to pay” for keeping a pet, the truth is that a “flea spends a relatively short time on the host, sufficient to mature and take a blood meal that will last it for its reproductive lifetime, off the host”, as stated on the website Paws to Heal. One flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day, and with the right conditions it can live up to 90 days, which means during its lifetime, it can lay about 4,500 eggs, and we’re talking about a single flea here!
Pets are the ideal carriers for fleas―the perfect hosts! The ability of these parasites to reproduce quickly makes it very easy for them to infest various parts of your house, including your mattresses, clothes, yard, sofas, beds, and eventually, they may end up attacking you, as well. Which is why, it is important to get rid of fleas as soon as possible. There are many ways to kill fleas and get rid of them, including the use of strong and harmful chemicals, however, because it involves the health of you and your pet, you need to be very careful in choosing the method which is safe for all those living in the house. Use of essential oils is considered to be a relatively safer alternative to toxic chemicals, and one such essential oil is that of the eucalyptus tree.
How to Use Eucalyptus Oil for Fleas
As a Spray Ingredient
This usage is taken from the website of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Adding about 6 to 7 drops of eucalyptus oil to a cup of water will make a mixture, that when sprayed on your dog’s coat, will eliminate fleas in due time. However, this remedy should be done every alternate day. Because eucalyptus oil tends to separate from water, the mixture should be shaken well before use.
Adding ¼ tsp. of eucalyptus oil in an 8 to 10 oz. spray bottle filled with warm water, will also prove to be helpful for getting rid of fleas. Shake it well and spray it on your carpets, mattresses, cushions, and other areas where your pet spends a lot of time. You will have to continue doing it for a few weeks until you finally get rid of them.
As a Mopping Solution
For the non-carpeted areas of the house, mopping with a solution of warm water and eucalyptus oil will help keep the house flea-free. There are two advantages of this: First, the aroma of the oil will repel the pests and insects of the house, and second, it would also help kill the eggs of the fleas which may have dropped on the floor while your pet was on the move. This is because adult fleas tend to lay eggs on the host itself which makes them prone to dropping due to the constant movement.
To Get a Natural Flea-repellent Collar
If you are concerned about dog fleas, then applying 2 to 3 drops of eucalyptus oil on the collar of your dog would repel them efficaciously. Or to say, this remedy will make the fleas flee away from your dog! However, make sure that you brush your dog using flea combs that are efficient enough to catch these pests. Also, thoroughly vacuum the carpets and cushions of your house. Did you know that vacuuming helps trap almost 95% of fleas and their eggs? However, ensure that your pet doesn’t walk on the carpet during vacuuming as the eggs and fleas present on it (if any) would hinder the efficiency of this remedial measure.
As a Fabric Cleaner
When fleas enter your house, they can possibly be anywhere and everywhere, especially on the fabrics and clothes of the house. Adding about 1 to 2 tsp. of eucalyptus oil to your washing solution would help combat fleas. As an additional step, you can put these fabrics, especially pet bedding, in a hot dryer for 15 to 20 minutes. This would kill the adult fleas, eggs, and larvae present in the folds and corners of these adornments.
As an Ingredient for your Pet Shampoo
Another great way to use this natural oil is to include it in your pet’s bath. Mixing 7 drops of this oil to a 32-oz. shampoo bottle would make this solution a compelling agent for the fleas to let go of your pet’s body. Make sure that this solution is mixed properly before use. Also, ensure that this medicated shampoo doesn’t enter your pet’s nose, eyes, or ears. A helpful tip for this remedy would be to start bathing your pet from the neck area, so that the fleas don’t get the chance to crawl up to the head. Allow the lather to sit for at least 5 minutes. Repeat the procedure, if need be.
As an Air Freshener/ Flea Repellent
Another great way to exterminate the fleas from the remote corners of your house is to use cotton balls soaked with 100% eucalyptus oil. Place the cotton balls at the ‘out-of-reach’ corners and dark places of your house, such as under the bed, sofa set, and other humid and warm places, as these are the ideal for the fleas to flourish. Also, make sure that your pets and children are not able to reach these balls as they can prove to be toxic for them. Change the cotton balls every 2 weeks.
Other Ways to Use Eucalyptus
The use of eucalyptus as a pest repellent is not only confined to its oil. You can also place eucalyptus leaves under your mattresses and couch to combat flea infestation. Many people also place the leaves of this tree around the house for repelling pests. You can also place branches of eucalyptus on your yard, or place them in jars around the entrance(s) and windows of the house.
What we love about eucalyptus is the fact that not only is it useful for flea control, but also acts as a mosquito repellent, keeps a curb on pest manifestations on plants, is an efficient room freshener, and is also associated with many health benefits. Eucalyptus has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, decongestant, antibacterial, and various other medicinal properties. Its usage has proved to be beneficial in treating various ailments associated with respiration, dental health, wounds, and skin. It would be a good idea to consult with your trusted healthcare specialist regarding the use of a specific brand of eucalyptus oil as per your requirements.
Disclaimer: This DogAppy article is meant for educational purposes only and should not be considered as an alternative to expert advice. Kindly consult a specialist for correct usage of this oil as some pets may be sensitive towards its properties.
