Pet owners know that apple cider vinegar can be used as a means of repelling fleas and mites. The sour taste repels any approaching fleas and mites, so spraying apple cider vinegar on your cat or dog can prevent these nuisance insects from attacking your pet. If your pet is allergic to chemicals, or you want to try using a natural insect repellent, follow these simple steps to make an apple cider vinegar solution that can help your pet fight off infestations of fleas and mites.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Coping With Lice and Mites With Apple Cider Vinegar
Step 1. Make an apple cider vinegar solution
Don't pour apple cider vinegar directly on your pet's skin as it can irritate it, but use a diluted solution instead. Mix 1 cup of apple cider vinegar, 1 liter of water and 28 grams of castille soap. This diluted solution of apple cider vinegar is strong enough to treat ticks and mites, but not so strong that the smell bothers you.
- If you want to add another ingredient to enhance the effect of apple cider vinegar on repelling fleas and mites from your pet, add 2-3 drops of lavender oil or cypress oil to your prepared solution. The scent of the oil will repel fleas and mites while also making the apple cider vinegar solution smell better. You can also add 56 grams of aloe vera to the solution. The aloe vera will help moisturize your pet's skin while repelling fleas.
- Apple cider vinegar is non-toxic to dogs and cats. However, if your pet's skin is sensitive, change the ratio of apple cider vinegar to water in a solution to 1 part apple cider vinegar and 3 parts water.
Step 2. Put on gloves and long sleeves
Fleas and mites can also bite humans, so you should protect yourself when treating pets. Wear rubber gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants so you don't get bitten.
It's a good idea to tie the ankles of your pants so the lice don't bite in those areas
Step 3. Treat your pet with an apple cider vinegar solution
Wet your pet's entire body with the apple cider vinegar solution, making sure that the solution touches all of its fur. Use your fingers to dip the solution into the fur until it touches the skin. The castille soap should be foaming at this stage, so scrub your pet's fur with the suds as well. Let the solution sit on his body for 10 minutes.
- Be sure to prevent the solution from getting into his eyes, as this can cause irritation.
- If you're still trying to deal with live fleas and mites, it's best to bathe your pet outdoors. If the temperature outside is too cold, use your bathtub.
- If the infestation of fleas and mites is severe, prepare another apple cider vinegar solution or two so you can give your pet two baths.
Step 4. Use a flea comb
Before rinsing your pet, comb through its still-wet fur. Comb the hairs part by part to get rid of fleas. Dip the comb in a bowl of soapy water to clean it of lice after each brush. The fleas should be easier to remove from your pet's fur, as they will avoid the taste of the apple cider vinegar. When you're done combing, rinse your pet's body with warm water.
- If your pet's fur is thick enough, you may need to brush its entire body twice. After one brush, rinse the body, and pour in a second solution of apple cider vinegar. Wait for 10 minutes, then comb again.
- Be sure to use a flea comb. Ordinary combs are not effective enough to get rid of lice and their eggs.
Step 5. Check carefully for mites and then remove them carefully
While brushing fleas out of your pet's body, you should also check for mites. Be sure to wear gloves when checking for mites, to avoid biting them. If you see any mites, remove them carefully with tongs. Catch mites and remove them from your pet's body. Do not squeeze or twist the mites. Try to get rid of the mites without separating the body and mouth. Remove the mites directly outside.
- Disinfect the mite bite wound with alcohol right after you remove it. You should also check the scar and apply alcohol again every few days to keep it from getting infected.
- Put the mites in a plastic bag. If your pet shows signs of infection, you should have him checked by a veterinarian.
- Monitor the pet for redness, swelling, or pain. If you notice any of these signs of infection, take him to the vet.
- Get someone to help stabilize your pet. This action may make him feel uncomfortable.
Step 6. Retreat with apple cider vinegar
Fleas have a life cycle of several weeks, so if any fleas remain after the first treatment, they will lay eggs in your home and attack your pet again. You should bathe your pet in apple cider vinegar every few days until there are no signs of fleas remaining.
Once the lice have been removed, repeat this treatment once a week to prevent re-infestation
Part 2 of 3: Getting Rid of Fleas from Your Home
Step 1. Clean your pet's bedding
Fleas can live for days or even weeks on your pet's carpets and bedding. Wash all bedding and bedding that your pet touches in hot water and machine dry them. You should repeat this step a few times while trying to get rid of the fleas.
- This step is necessary to prevent any fleas remaining around your pet from attacking it again, as long as you're still trying to get rid of it.
- It's a good idea to wash all other materials that have come into contact with your pet, including pillows and blankets.
Step 2. Get rid of fleas in the house
As with animal bedding, fleas and mites can live on carpets for a long time. Fleas lay eggs on pets, then these eggs fall onto carpet and other fabrics around them. To prevent nits from hatching, you'll need to get rid of the nits and nits that live on your carpet. For that, vacuum your house with a vacuum cleaner until it is clean.
Be sure to vacuum up pillowcases and fabrics, crevices in furniture, corners of the room, and any places your pet may have been
Step 3. Create a natural spray
After you've vacuumed and washed all of your washable items, you can make a spray similar to the bath solution above to keep fleas from your pet's carpets and bedding. To make this solution, mix 3.8 liters of apple cider vinegar, 1.9 liters of water, 450g lemon juice, and 230g witch hazel in a large tub. Fill this solution into a spray bottle. Spray generously into every part of your home, including carpets, hardwood floors, nooks and crannies, window sills, and furniture.
- You may have to repeat this method for 2-7 days, depending on the severity of the infestation.
- If you're just trying to prevent a flea infestation, spray once a month.
- Allow the spray to dry before returning the item to a wet spot.
Step 4. Create a flea trap
If your flea infestation isn't too severe, but you want to prevent fleas from getting into your home, try using a flea trap. Plug a few night lamps into an outlet near the door. Under each lamp, place a bowl of water containing a lid of dish soap.
- Check this bowl every morning for dead fleas. Remove fleas and refill the bowl with fresh, soapy water every night.
- You can use this method to ensure the effectiveness of the apple cider vinegar spray. Once there are no more fleas in the bowl, you can stop the expulsion.
- You can also use a short candle in this step, but you'll want to keep an eye on the trap overnight to avoid a possible fire.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Flea Attacks Using Apple Cider Vinegar
Step 1. Make an apple cider vinegar solution
To keep fleas from getting close to your pet after successfully removing them from the house, make a soap-free apple cider vinegar solution. Mix two cups of apple cider vinegar and two cups of water. Pour this solution into a spray bottle.
- Make sure the bottle is clean and does not contain any previous cleaning agents or chemicals that may be harmful to your pet.
- You can make more of this solution if you want. Adjust according to the number of pets you have.
- As with animal bath solutions, you can add lavender oil or cypress oil to your spray. The aroma will be more delicious and the properties in repelling insects will be stronger.
Step 2. Spray your pet with this solution after bathing
This solution repels fleas and mites, and is gentle enough that it can be used as a regular treatment after every shower. Spray the solution from head to toe of your pet until the fur is completely wet. Rub the solution into the fur and allow it to dry. The vinegar smell will go away on its own once it dries.
- Make sure not to spray your pet's face. To wet his ears and face, moisten a cloth with the solution and wipe it over.
- If you don't bathe your pet often, use this solution more often than you bathe frequently. Try to spray this solution every two weeks, especially when your pet likes to spend time outdoors.
- Cats, and some dogs may not like being sprayed. If your pet is sensitive, wipe a cloth dampened with apple cider vinegar on his fur.
Step 3. Put apple cider vinegar in your dog's drinking water
Drinking apple cider vinegar to your dog is a great way to get rid of fleas and mites from the inside. Your dog's skin and coat will smell like apple cider vinegar if he drinks it regularly. Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to your dog's water once a day for every 18 kg of body weight.
- If your pet weighs less than 18 kg, reduce the amount of vinegar you add. For example, if your dog weighs 5 kg, add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to his drinking water.
- Some pet owners also drink apple cider vinegar to cats, but others are concerned that apple cider vinegar can upset the pH balance in the cat's body. To prevent your cat from getting sick, it's best to only apply apple cider vinegar topically.
- If your dog doesn't want to drink water that has been mixed with apple cider vinegar, don't force it. Topical use of apple cider vinegar is also quite efficacious.
Step 4. Clean your house with an apple cider vinegar solution
You can prevent infestation by fleas and mites at home. To do this, use the same apple cider vinegar solution as above to clean your home from the floors to the furniture. This natural cleaning solution that can kill bacteria and germs is 100% safe.
- If you are cleaning the surface of the table on which to prepare food, do not mix vinegar with baking soda. Both can neutralize each other's ability to kill bacteria.
- You can spray the carpet as well to prevent fleas from getting close.
- Your house will smell like vinegar until the solution dries. After drying, this vinegar smell will disappear.
Tips
- The methods in this article do not completely guarantee that your pet is free of fleas. You should get your pet checked for fleas and mites to the vet to fix it. If natural remedies don't work, ask your vet for other options.
- Be prepared to use chemical flea medication if advised by your veterinarian.
- Your pet's coat will feel soft and shiny after using apple cider vinegar, which is also a natural hair conditioner.
