There are many ways to get rid of fleas, but when it comes to living quarters or treating pets, the number of available methods is significantly reduced. Chemical insecticides, turpentine, kerosene, vinegar can pose a health hazard and therefore their use is not recommended.
An excellent alternative would be essential oils, which will not only help eliminate parasites, but also make the atmosphere at home more comfortable.
The principle of action of essential oils against fleas
Essential oils are a natural repellent that helps get rid of fleas. Blood-sucking insects do not tolerate strong odors, so they try to get away from their source. The method of getting rid of them using aromatic oils is based on this feature of parasites.
Important! The main thing to understand is that oils do not kill fleas and do not destroy larvae or eggs. The effect is that bloodsuckers leave the room in which an unpleasant aroma hovers.
Flea
How to protect your dog from ticks
Ticks are more dangerous than fleas because they can crawl from dogs to human skin. Research shows that 6 out of 100 ticks are infected with viral encephalitis alone; in some areas the percentage is higher. Therefore, when treating your dog, you protect not only the pet, but also yourself.
The Best Tick Remedies for Dogs
To protect a dog from ticks, the same products are used as against fleas, only they act on arthropods for 1-2 weeks less.
The best and most effective tick repellents for dogs are Bravecto, Nesgard and Simparica tablets. Don’t think that if you give your dog a pill and go into the forest, you won’t find a tick on your pet. If a parasite falls on a dog, it will crawl along it until it burrows into the skin. The tick will become poisoned when it starts feeding. He will be instantly paralyzed and will die after some time.
Therefore, if you gave your dog a pill, went into the forest and found a tick crawling on your pet, don’t panic. Carefully remove the parasite and destroy it.
Frontline and Advantix also protect well against ticks. These tick repellents for dogs top many ratings. You can also use shampoos (Pchelodar, Bea Flea), which will help if you did not notice a tick during the inspection. We should not forget that the shampoo does not last long and gives a good effect as a comprehensive protection.
What oils are effective against fleas?
It would take quite a long time to list which essential oils repel fleas, since the list is extensive. It has floral, herbal, pine, citrus aromas.
Eucalyptus
Fleas are almost more afraid of the aroma of eucalyptus oil than anyone else. The pungent smell of eucalyptus quickly spreads throughout the room, repelling insects. Eucalyptus oil can be used to treat floors, carpets, and furniture (including upholstered furniture). The product has strong disinfecting properties, and also helps strengthen the immune system and alleviate the symptoms of colds.
Juniper
Juniper oil is a good disinfectant. It helps not only drive away insects, but also reduce the risk of developing an infection at the site of the bite. The oil can be used not only to treat a room, but also to protect cats and dogs from fleas, since animals are quite loyal to the aroma of juniper.
Sagebrush
For fleas, you can use both wormwood oil and fresh herbs. Volatile substances irritate the nervous system of insects, forcing them to leave their homes. Considering the fact that wormwood has a rather strong, specific odor, it must be used with caution - it is best to place small containers with essential oil where there are especially many fleas or where they enter the house.
Lavender
The aroma of lavender quickly and effectively gets rid of fleas. Lavender oil has calming properties, so it can be used in the bedroom and even applied to bedding. But we must remember that the smell of lavender negatively affects hypotensive patients. It is better for them to use coniferous oils, for example, fir or cedar, which not only repel insects, but also have a positive effect on health.
Melissa
Melissa essential oil is one of the few types that can be used not only against fleas indoors, but also for treating pet hair.
Carnation
Fleas cannot stand the rich smell of cloves and try to get as far away from it as possible. But clove essential oil should be used with caution when getting rid of fleas in the room where cats live. Animals react negatively to the smell, causing them sleep disturbances and anxiety.
Other
In addition to those listed, the following oils help against fleas:
- tea tree;
- basilica;
- lemongrass;
- mint;
- rosemary;
- geraniums;
- celandine;
- anise
Coniferous aromas work well - fir, cedar, pine.
Pharmacy products: preparations for killing fleas, features of their use
Today on the shelves of pet stores and veterinary pharmacies you can easily find ten (if not hundreds) names of antiparasitic agents designed to kill blood-sucking insects. The most common pharmaceutical products are drugs in drop form. They are easy to apply and dose, they have a long-lasting and well-defined effect.
Possible side effects
Fortunately, today's dog owners don't have much to worry about: side effects usually do not develop. Moreover, in most cases they speak either of a gross overdose, or of individual intolerance by the dog’s body to the components of the medicine.
In these cases, the following warning signs may develop:
- Flaky, white and thick foam begins to come out of the pet's mouth.
- In severe cases, it comes to seizures, very similar in appearance to epilepsy.
- Some insecticides in overdose do not hit the nervous system so hard, but their effect is still expressed in a shaky and uneven gait, as well as strange and unnatural behavior of the treated animal.
What to do if your dog is poisoned
But what if the dog is poisoned? If at least one of the above symptoms appears, or in cases where the owner is worried about something else, you should immediately take the dog to the veterinarian. If for some reason it is impossible to do this quickly, the dog is given activated carbon at the rate of one tablet for each kilogram of live weight.
And one more nuance. The more your pet drinks, the faster its body will be able to eliminate excess toxins through urine and feces.
Flea shampoo for dogs
Any anti-flea shampoo is only suitable for one-time extermination of fleas already present on the animal’s body. Such products are not suitable for long-term protection.
The following varieties have proven themselves best:
- Dana.
- Phytoelite.
- Leopard.
In general, these shampoos are produced by the same companies that produce drip medications for fleas.
Rules for using essential oils
Before using essential oils for fleas, the apartment must be thoroughly cleaned - vacuum, wash the floors, get rid of cobwebs, dust, wipe all surfaces with a damp cloth, wash textiles and pet bedding, clean upholstered furniture.
Thorough cleaning
The oil will help get rid of insects if you follow a few recommendations:
- the optimal proportions of the solution against parasites are 5 drops of oil per 1 liter of water;
- Before you start treating the room, you need to protect yourself from insect attacks - use a spray bottle to spray your clothes and feet with the solution;
- apply the solution to all surfaces, not forgetting hard-to-reach places - under the bed, behind cabinets, in corners, in crevices behind the baseboard;
- It is necessary to treat not only hard surfaces, but also carpets and curtains.
The oil is effective as long as its aroma is felt, after which the processing procedure must be repeated.
Causes of flea infestation
It is impossible to completely and forever protect a dog from parasites, because there are incredibly many possibilities for infection with them. Whether on the street or in the apartment, there are no safe places. Fleas can be found anywhere, even in the most unexpected places. But we can identify the main reasons for the appearance of “vampires” in animals:
- Any walks in nature or even around the city;
- Contact with other animals;
- Larvae.
In the first case, it is obvious that hungry insects are patiently waiting for victims. They have no preference in choosing where to ambush. Grass, foliage, and soil will do. They can be found on the playground, on sidewalks and on public transport. They are everywhere. And there is a simple explanation for this: an animal overpopulated with fleas throws off some of the parasites.
But the risk of having uncomfortable “guests” is even higher - communication between pets. A dog easily picks up fleas, even if it is half a meter away from an infected animal. There is also a risk when interacting with a completely domestic animal.
Larvae, like fleas themselves, can be everywhere. But they are the easiest to bring into a person’s house. On shoes or clothes along with dirt and stuck leaves.
Fleas are tenacious creatures. It is not difficult for them to move freely from one place to another in search of food. They can get into the house through open windows and doors, and even in women's handbags or grocery bags.
IMPORTANT: Fleas are often confused with lice. They are easy to distinguish: the body of lice is usually large and flat, and the legs are short. Fleas are brown in color and lice are grayish-white. The latter are less common, mainly in unkempt pets and stray dogs.
Flea classification
It is difficult for a non-specialist to distinguish one type of flea from another, because to the eye they look the same. But the flea classifier includes many families and species of these insects.
Most often, it is generally accepted to separate fleas according to their choice of prey: human, cat, rat, etc. There is also Ctenocephalidis Canis - this is the so-called dog flea. In fact, not only this species, but also many other species parasitize the dog.
The human flea feeds on the blood of both humans and their domestic animals. They are saturated with blood in 20 minutes, and then digest it for another six hours.
IMPORTANT: Subcutaneous fleas are a myth. There are many parasites that live under the skin, but fleas are not one of them. Duck mites are also mistakenly mistaken for fleas.
- The cat flea also parasitizes other animals and humans.
- A dog flea is similar to a cat flea, but lives a little less (six months to one and a half years). These insects are sources of flatworms and plague.
- More dangerous than the previous ones is the rat flea. She is a carrier of rat and mouse tapeworm.
- The black flea, unlike, for example, the dog flea, reproduces very quickly: the time from being in the larval stage to becoming an adult is barely four days.
- There are grass fleas that are mistaken for other species of fleas. Unlike the others, the grass one has wings, albeit barely noticeable. It is active from mid-spring to mid-summer, but there are exceptions. If you don't get rid of it in time, it can bother you all year round.
IMPORTANT: Grass fleas often inhabit vegetable gardens and eat plants. But this does not mean that they are harmless to humans and animals.
Another special species is the bed flea. Already from the name it is clear where it lives.
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How fleas reproduce on dogs
The peculiarity of their reproduction is that in cold weather they prefer not to mate. The ideal temperature for this is 18-25 degrees. Mating itself takes several hours, so it does not happen on the dog’s body, but somewhere in a secluded corner.
The life cycle of these bloodsuckers includes four stages:
- Egg. The female lays them little by little: only 4-8 eggs at a time. Eggs rarely remain on the pet itself; they usually fall to the floor due to their non-stickiness.
- Larva. The dog flea hatches after 8-14 days and begins to feed on the excrement of adults. She needs excrement because it contains undigested blood. Their diet also includes other waste, including rotted grass.
- Doll. After two molts, the pupa weaves a cocoon, which subsequently sticks to it. The flea remains in this stage until a victim appears nearby.
- Imago. Adult stage. Their lifespan greatly depends on the conditions in which they live. At low temperatures they live longer.
How to make the fight against fleas in the house more effective?
You can enhance the effect of using essential oils to get rid of fleas in your apartment in the following ways:
- after general cleaning, it is necessary to clean the vacuum cleaner and immediately take out the garbage, otherwise insects may spread throughout the house again;
- When starting the fight against parasites, you need to not only treat the apartment, but also wash your pets with anti-flea shampoo or put on special collars for them;
- Fleecy surfaces should be treated with special care: floor coverings, carpets and door mats, bedding and pet houses
Using mixtures of several oils, you can make pest control more effective. Popular combinations:
- mint and lavender;
- clove, lavender and tea tree;
- mint, lavender and eucalyptus.
Regular use of the aroma lamp will help to consolidate the results.
Folk remedies
You can get rid of the problem using well-known methods among the people. The main advantages of using folk remedies for fleas on dogs are their environmental safety, general availability and low price. However, it must be taken into account that individual components of the treatment may cause allergic reactions or other side effects due to individual intolerance.
Fragrant herbs
One of the most common means of fighting fleas in dogs is the use of herbs. For example, the bitter aroma of common wormwood is good at repelling insects. The herb should be brewed, infused, and the pet’s fur should be rinsed with this decoction after bathing. The high efficiency of this method and its safety make it possible to use wormwood even for treating puppies against fleas.
“Essential oils contained in tansy and eucalyptus have a similar spectrum of action. However, we must not forget about contraindications due to individual intolerance.
Hellebore water
Another effective measure is hellebore solution, which can kill not only fleas and ticks, but also cope with intestinal worms. The liquid is also dangerous for the dog itself, because it is slightly toxic and can cause poisoning if overdosed.
Garlic and onion
An infusion of ordinary garlic helps get rid of blood suckers. The cloves are crushed into a paste, poured with a glass of warm water and kept in this form for 7-8 hours. After this, the infusion is moistened with the fur in those areas where the animal cannot reach it - for example, the scruff at the base of the skull. It is necessary to use garlic with great caution, as it contains substances that can cause poisoning of your four-legged friend, and in difficult cases lead to the death of the pet.
Onions have a detrimental effect on insects. To prepare the mixture, add chopped vegetables to an aqueous solution with laundry soap and leave for 15-20 minutes. The resulting composition is distributed over the dog’s coat, left for 10 minutes, and then thoroughly washed off with warm water. In case of severe infection, the treatment should be repeated.
The owner must closely monitor the pet's condition during the procedure. Any allergic manifestations become a signal to interrupt the process and thoroughly rinse the body.
Homemade shampoo
Homemade shampoo also helps get rid of parasites. It is made from laundry soap, which is dissolved in an infusion of eucalyptus with the addition of a couple of drops of cedar or tea tree oil. The mixture is applied to the body, foamed, washed off after 5-10 minutes. This product does not contain harmful chemical compounds, so it is suitable for almost all animals.
Homemade sprays
Essential oils of citrus, lavender and eucalyptus have a repellent effect, quickly ridding the dog of annoying insects. Add 2-4 drops of an odorous substance to the water and spray the surface of the four-legged body from a spray bottle. Oils are also added to the water during bathing.
A mixture of apple cider vinegar and water in a ratio of 1:3, applied to the wool, allows you to kill not only adult individuals, but also their larvae with eggs. The solution is left on the body for about 1 hour and then combed out thoroughly.
Bedding with fillers
Bedding made from pine needles or sawdust has proven itself well. They are used in booths or enclosures, and adding twigs of wormwood to them will have a much more effective effect and will help get rid of bloodsuckers for a long time.
Fighting itching and pain from bites
Essential oils can also be used to treat insect bites. The most popular oils are tea tree and lavender, which are used to lubricate the bite site. They reduce inflammation and relieve itching. The product can be used pure or mixed with base oils, such as olive, jojoba, and wheat germ.
On a note! First you need to make sure that there is no allergic reaction to the selected oil. For the test, a small amount is applied to the skin in the wrist or elbow area.
But it is better not to use essential oils for flea bites on cats and dogs. The cat's body may respond inadequately to such treatment, causing severe skin irritation or impaired olfactory functions. The best option is special products for animals.
Signs of fleas in a dog
Some believe that a homebody who lives in an apartment and rarely walks in the fresh air will not become a source of infection with blood-sucking insects. Unfortunately this is not true. Fleas live not only on street animals - they can even feel comfortable on people.
Having discovered a new object for feeding, insects settle on it and quickly multiply in the fur. When biting the skin, saliva is injected into the wound, which causes:
- severe itching accompanied by redness;
- skin and infectious diseases;
- hair loss;
- allergy;
- anemia (anemia).
To be completely sure of the presence of fleas on your pet’s body, you need to carefully observe its behavior. If the dog is concerned about itching, the bites are clearly visible in the form of wounds and redness, and the fur is strewn with white grains, then a severe infection is obvious.
The infection can be detected in an animal when swimming, when the insects are overcome by fear and they begin to jump into the water - or gather on their heads. Their presence can be determined during a routine examination, as well as during hairdressing procedures, when they remain on the teeth of the comb.
Safety measures when disinfesting with aroma oils
Despite the fact that essential oils are a completely natural product, when using them against fleas in the house, you must take precautions:
- follow the dosage, dilute the oil according to the instructions;
- use a small amount of product;
- do not inhale concentrated vapors;
- Before first use, check if anyone living in the house (including pets) is allergic to the selected oil.
Attention! Aroma oils are not recommended for use in the presence of pregnant women and small children.
Ventilation
If, after treating the room, one of the household members feels unwell (dizziness, headache, nausea), it is necessary to thoroughly ventilate the room and continue to use other means.
Precautionary measures
Essential oils are powerful, so it's worth knowing the precautions. Consequences of improper use:
- exceeding the dosage leads to signs of poisoning: nausea, vomiting, weakness;
- inhalation and application of concentrated oil to the skin causes irritation, damage to the skin and nasal mucosa.
You should avoid them if a family member has asthma or allergies, the woman is pregnant, or has small children. If there are signs of intolerance to the product, you should immediately stop using it.
Before use on the human body or animals, a sensitivity test should be performed. You should buy essential oils in specialized stores or pharmacies. This is an affordable and harmless, if used correctly, means of protection against fleas.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Essential Oils
The use of aromatic oils has a number of positive and negative features. The advantages include:
- natural composition, lack of aggressive effects on the human body and pets;
- the ability to choose the scent to your liking (an additional plus is the pleasant smell in the apartment);
- availability, large selection and wide range of prices;
- ease of preparation of an oil-based product, no need for protective equipment (gloves, mask, respirator).
Main disadvantages:
- individual intolerance or an allergic reaction is possible in both people and animals;
- aromatic oils do not affect eggs and larvae, so the treatment will need to be repeated after a few days.
Another disadvantage of this method is that it cannot be used if there are children under 1 year of age in the house.
Does it help?
The effectiveness of folk methods to get rid of parasites is sometimes called into question. Not everyone is sure whether tansy helps against fleas. Entomologists emphasize that flea tansy is an extremely effective repellent. It effectively repels all blood-sucking insects, but does not have insecticidal capabilities. By inhaling the aroma of tansy, fleas will not die.
If the apartment is already infested with blood-sucking parasites (there is a large population and nests), then it is almost impossible to destroy them with improvised folk remedies.
You can count on the death of fleas in contact with tansy only if the parasite is completely immersed in the plant’s decoction.
Or the medicinal solution should enter directly into the respiratory tract of the pest.
If, with the addition of decoction, infusion or tansy oil, you simply treat the surfaces, then the fleas will begin to change their location, but will not completely leave the room. This plant is effective against fleas in cats or dogs. Thanks to this remedy, their activity can be reduced. They simply will not appear in places with the strongest herbal smell.
Oil-based medicines
While aromatic oils can be used to treat a room against fleas, it is not always safe to use them to get rid of bloodsuckers from pets. If the product gets on the skin, it can cause irritation, the strong smell will cause discomfort to the pet, and if it tries to clean the fur and starts licking the medicine off, it can become poisoned.
Aroma oils
Special preparations containing essential oils will help protect your pet. The most popular include:
- Beaphar (spray or shampoo);
- Doctor ZOO (shampoo);
- Bars (shampoo);
- GreenFort (shampoo).
When using a new product for the first time, you must carefully monitor your pet’s condition to notice possible manifestations of allergies.
Drops on the withers: features of application
Despite the variety of antiparasitic agents, drops on the withers are considered the most effective. They are effective and retain their effect for a long time.
How to apply antiparasitic drops correctly
There is nothing complicated in this process, but you need to remember one important circumstance: all drip products are created on the basis of volatile and rather toxic components. If you use the product incorrectly, your dog can be poisoned.
How to apply the medicine correctly so that there are no such consequences? In fact, there is nothing complicated about this:
- They should be applied strictly to the withers area and the base of the skull. It is imperative to ensure that there are no scratches, wounds, abrasions, or signs of inflammation on the skin in this area. Their presence leads to the fact that the drugs in concentrated form enter directly into the general bloodstream. This is dangerous and leads to severe poisoning.
- When applied, it is strictly forbidden to rub or rub the drops into the skin! Failure to comply with this rule may lead to poisoning of the animal.
Important! You cannot bathe your dog until at least a week has passed since the treatment! In some cases, the manufacturer generally advises waiting at least two weeks.
This is due to the fact that the active substances are not immediately “absorbed” by the skin and sebaceous glands. If you do not wait, the effectiveness of the treatment may be significantly reduced.
Large breeds and “kids”: features of drops for different dogs
Owners should be aware that large breeds have their own characteristics, which must be taken into account when processing. And we are not talking about some physiological nuances of their body, but about the characteristics of the means used. It all depends on the specific drug. Some are produced universally, with the same characteristics for all, while others are divided into several types:
- For "compact" dogs. This includes both small breeds and puppies.
- For medium breeds.
- For large animals.
However, usually breeders do not need to go into such details, since the packaging of the drug should indicate for which animals it is intended. In addition, many manufacturers additionally use color differentiation, producing drugs for dogs of different weight categories, packaging them in pipettes with certain colors.
Important! We categorically do not recommend confusing them, since the concentration of active substances in these cases is completely different! A small dog can be easily poisoned by treating it with a product for “giants” weighing 50 kilograms or more.
But pouring the contents of several pipettes intended for babies onto a large dog is also not the best. In this case, the dog will receive severe poisoning, which can be fatal.
"Leopard"
Bars drops are produced on the basis of one of the newest and highest quality insecticides, fipronil. It accumulates in the upper layer of the epithelium, as well as in the sebaceous bulbs, which ensures a high-quality and long-lasting effect of the drug (at least one month). The drug can be applied only when the pet is at least a couple of months old.
"Advocate"
The drug contains a combination of imidacloprid and moxidectin. Because of this, there is a strict age limit - the animal being processed must be at least 2.5 months old (or at least nine weeks, but no less).
Weight – at least four kilograms. You need to pay special attention when purchasing: “Lawyer” is produced for animals belonging to different weight categories! As in the previous case, the effect of the treatment lasts for about a month.
Advantix
The drug has a pronounced effect against not only fleas, but also ticks, mosquitoes and lice eaters.
Contains imidacloprid and permitrin. It is prohibited to handle dogs younger than seven weeks and weighing less than one and a half kilograms. Available in four types: for pets from 4 to 40 kilograms. Advantix is distributed throughout the coat and upper layers of the skin, maintaining effectiveness for up to four weeks.
"Dana"
Contains fipronil and diazinon. The latter has a pronounced and high-quality effect against not only bloodsuckers, but also the larvae of many parasitic worms (including heartworms). Because of this, “Dana” is especially valued by breeders living in areas disadvantaged by these pathologies.
But! There is one peculiarity. The product contains organophosphorus compounds, which are very dangerous for mammals.
Therefore, it is allowed to process animals that have reached at least three months of age, not younger.
Frontline
One of the highest quality products (among those presented on the domestic market). Its main advantage is its truly prolonged action, which can last for almost two months. Moreover, this is the only drug that can really be prescribed to pregnant and even nursing pets without fear for their offspring.
The medicine is available not only in the form of drops. Frontline NexgarD is available in tablet form. And they are really effective against fleas and other ectoparasites! Can be prescribed starting from six weeks of age.
"Inspector"
Contains moxidectin and fipronil. The drug does not have any outstanding features. It can be applied starting from seven weeks of age. In addition, the manufacturer claims a powerful repellent effect against ticks, so the product is indicated for hunting and guard dogs, which often suffer from “attacks” of these parasites. The “inspector” will help protect your pet from dangerous diseases transmitted by ticks.
"Celandine"
As in many of the cases described above, the drug contains two active ingredients: fipronil and permitrin. The product was developed and produced by domestic pharmacists, and therefore is relatively cheap and accessible.
In addition, the drug is very effective, and permitrin, which is part of it, acts not only on ectoparasites, but also on the young of some parasitic worms. Celandine is prescribed strictly from two months, the dog’s weight should not be less than half a kilo.
Hartz
One of the most effective means. Produced by an American company of the same name and world famous. Contains phenothrin and methoprene. This drug is a real record holder for the duration of action: just one treatment is enough for about three months.
Such a powerful effect is due to high-quality and “serious” components, but... Only dogs aged four months and older can be treated. It is strictly prohibited to use Hartz for lactating and pregnant bitches.
Stronghold
It is also one of the “classics”, known and loved by domestic breeders. This popularity did not arise out of nowhere: the product, which contains selamectin, allows you to fight not only fleas and ticks, but also parasitic worms with equal success.
As for the latter, the drug is capable of destroying not only their larvae, but also fully grown individuals. Stronghold can be used from approximately six months of age.
Butox
Strictly speaking, these are not ready-made drops, but only a “semi-finished product” for preparing them yourself. The main component of the product is a very powerful and effective insecticide, deltamethrin. The problem is that Butox is also quite toxic to mammals. Therefore, they are prohibited from treating puppies, pregnant and lactating bitches.
Barrier
The active ingredient is fipronil, already known to the reader. In fact, Barrier is a complete analogue of Barca. The protective effect lasts up to two months. Animals that have reached three months of age and weigh at least two kilograms can be treated. It is strictly forbidden to wash the dog if less than two days have passed since the treatment.
BlochNet
A product with an interesting name is produced by domestic manufacturers. The composition includes fipronil, as well as benzyl benzoate and dimethyl phthalate.
BlochNet perfectly protects against fleas for three (!) months, fully justifying its name. Animals at least three months old can be treated.
Rolf 3D
The product contains fipronil, as well as etofenprox and pyriproxyfen. It has pronounced effectiveness against all ectoparasites, and the effect of treatment lasts for about two months. Rolf 3D is strictly prohibited for use on animals under two months of age, as well as dogs weighing less than two kilograms.
Lavender
Lavender contains essential oil rich in coumarins and tannins. Its smell does not disappear for a long time and has repellent properties.
Pour a tablespoon of chopped herbs into 250 ml of boiling water, strain after half an hour. Spray the rooms around the perimeter with an odorous liquid, not forgetting to treat carpets and mattresses.
To drive out fleas and freshen the air in your apartment, add 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil to an aromatherapy lamp or tie the stems into bunches and hang them on the walls.
How to prepare and store wormwood
To have a sufficient supply of healing herbs, it is better to prepare them in large quantities in advance. When dried and crushed, wormwood does not take up much space, but will help you if necessary. More often, people collect wormwood and other medicinal herbs in the summer season. Common wormwood grows in sunny open meadows, which are used as pastures for livestock. It is easy to distinguish wormwood from other plants. It has a light green (slightly bluish leaf color), rich aroma and a peculiar shape. The plant can reach a height of 1.5-2 meters. In late summer, wormwood blooms with small yellow flowers.
Procedure for collecting and preparing wormwood:
- When collecting grass, it should be grouped into small bunches and tied with thread at the base of the stems.
- The resulting bunches should be hung in a shaded and well-ventilated place to dry.
- After drying, the plant can be moved to another place for storage. The temperature in it should not exceed 24 degrees, and it should also be protected from direct sunlight and high humidity.
Storing wormwood in dry whole or crushed form is allowed for 2-3 years. It is advisable not to store wormwood in the form of a decoction for a long time, but in the form of a tincture it can be stored for an unlimited time.
Uses of wormwood oil
Essential oil collects the main properties of the plant, which are concentrated in one drop. Creating it yourself requires a lot of effort and special equipment, so purchasing oil is much easier and does not require large expenses.
A few drops on the place where the pests live is enough to cause their death by inhaling the vapors or eating complementary food, on which you can also drop a little oil.
Order an antiparasitic drug directly from the manufacturer
Other areas where oil can be used:
- Due to its antibacterial properties, it can be used to treat small wounds and abrasions, and minor burns. The wound heals faster, dries out, forming a thin, even crust;
- Analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties are used to relieve swelling and pain from bruises and sprains. A compress for the sore area is treated with oil;
- Oil in small doses is prescribed for oral administration. It increases the secretion of gastric juice and digestive enzymes, thus stimulating digestion. Prescribed for the treatment of gastritis with low acidity. It also has a choleretic effect;
- Helps in the treatment of anxiety disorders, improves attention, treats headaches and sleep disorders;
- Widely used in cosmetology due to the properties of increasing tissue regeneration;
- In cooking to add flavor.
If you decide to take the oil internally, you should consult a doctor, as the product has a list of contraindications and possible side effects.
Diseases that are transmitted to people from animals through flea bites
