posted April 13, 2012 05:55 AM            

Anyone had any success with diatomaceous earth? The more I read, the more I like the sounds of it. I just pray it works because down south it's bug central and we need something powerful that works.

It can also be used as a flea powder right on your pets fur, and fed to them (humans eat it too - *the food grade kind) to keep intestinal parasites at bay.
http://www.richsoil.com/diatomaceous-earth.jsp

I'm excited to get to Home Depot and get some. lol

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Side note, I made a new flea repellant from essential oils - mainly Cedarwood. Will let you know how that works out. I mixed in Lavender, Lemongrass, Clove bud, Eucalyptus and Citronella -- all great repellents.

Cedar Oil (Cedarwood essential oil) is supposed to work powerfully at killing AND repelling fleas and ticks. Right now my dog is doing alright - no infestation or anything, but I'd like to keep it that way and protect her from other insects (mosquitos cause heartworms and eating a flea can give tapeworms).

I will notice one or two fleas on her every so often, when she comes in from outside. Fleas are terrible down south!!! ugh But I really don't want to have to put the awful pesticides on her, which are actually dangerous.

The History of Cedar Oil http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WHXX7vaMy8&feature=player_embedded#!

This company seems to make great products, but very expensive! They do have a few options for buying smaller quantities, but I'll try my new version that is mainly Cedar oil first.
http://www.cedarcide.com/

Maybe good for someone who has a farm and wants to buy in bulk.

Juni, might be something you want to look into, though you probably already have your own methods.

Anyway, do tell, if youve used either of these products and what you think!

posted April 13, 2012 06:01 AM            

I think I read the main ingredients in that one are Cedar Oil and Peppermint Oil.

posted April 13, 2012 07:32 AM            

Cedar oil and peppermint oil is repulsive to my cats. They just hate it. The dogs arn`t fond of it but don`t go all bonkers.

I just use as flea repellants brewers yeast with garlic (powder or tablets ) . It isn`t as effective as the oils but cats do agree to eat it.

posted April 13, 2012 12:27 PM            

Yeah, I tried brewers yeast and garlic but it didnt work.

Finally got yardwork done. I'm soaked. It's like 85* out. I used poison and the D-Earth. The D-Earth mostly out back where the pets hang out.

posted April 13, 2012 04:44 PM            

bounce!

posted April 15, 2012 03:52 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by juniperb:
hi T I do use the Diatomaceous Earth to put around the base of my Hostas in the shade where its damp and the slugs party down.The miniscule shards in it cut their slimey bellies so....

Cedar oil and peppermint oil is repulsive to my cats. They just hate it. The dogs arn`t fond of it but don`t go all bonkers.

I just use as flea repellants brewers yeast with garlic (powder or tablets ) . It isn`t as effective as the oils but cats do agree to eat it.

---

Ahhh fresh cedar, wonderful smell.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4464826_use-lavender-repel-fleas.html

"It’s pretty much a fact of life, that if you have pets you are going to have fleas at some point. Fleas can be both annoying and a health issue for both you and your pet. Controlling the flea population will be an ongoing battle, but one that you can win, if you take the proper steps to avoid getting them in the first place. Rather than use harmful chemicals that can be hazardous to you, your pet and the environment, try taking a more natural approach, by using things with a lavender scent. For whatever reason, fleas don’t particularly care for the fragrance and tend not to hang around."

http://www.ehow.com/about_4672650_does-lavender-kill-fleas.html

"Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has been used for centuries as an insect repellent for humans and animals alike. During the 19th century in the US it was common to sew small cloth satchels of lavender and place them around the home to ward off insects.
Today, lavender essential oil, made from the crushed flowers and leaves of the plant, can be used for many health and household purposes. One is as a flea repellent.
There are no current clinical studies to date that demonstrate that lavender alone kills fleas but one can purchase insect repellent lotions that contain lavender essential oil. Lavender is also found in shampoos for pets that may be used to wash them if they have fleas but the shampoos probably contain other ingredients such as citronella or eucalyptus that are known to repel fleas."

http://www.burpee.com/perennials/lavender/

Lavender Seeds and Plants

"Legendary fragrance for every garden. Foliage with fancy spires of flowers is fast growing, but stays compact. Northern gardeners can grow as an annual."

http://www.thegrowers-exchange.com/Eucalyptus_Silver_Drop_p/her-euc01.htm

"Medicinally, the essential oils from Eucalyptus 'Silver Drop' are used to relieve respiratory and sinus congestion and infection, rashes, sores and asthma. These oils are also used in deodorants, bath oils, shampoos and in Aromatherapy products."

*Quick google search for a oil maker for lavender and eucalyptus. Just wash the pets and spray the yard with your custom dilution.*

http://www.essentialoil.com/40ltr.html

"We find that this distiller is perfect for making essential oils from plants such as lavender, rosemary and peppermint.

In the column up position; the bottom "pot" is filled with water, after being placed on top of your heat source. the heat source can be a hotplate, propane burner, or as is traditionally done directly on top of a wood fire.. Plant material is then packed into the column. Plant material is also packed in the Alembic Head (the "onion") to increase distillation capacity. There is a copper screen inside the top of the "onion" to keep plant material out of the "bird's beak" and condenser."

"After the column and Alembic Head are filled with plant material; invert the Alembic head to the upright position. Hold the plant material in place to keep it from falling out, and place the Alembic Head on top of the filled column. Screw the Bird's Beak into place and attach it to the condenser. You are now ready to distill your own essential oils."

posted April 22, 2012 05:56 PM            

Are you going to try it?

posted April 22, 2012 06:47 PM            

Yeah, I have a big bottle of Lavender essential oil and use it in a flea/tick mist for my dog (and on myself as a bug repellent). I'm not sure if my dog just doesnt like her coat getting wet or what (sometimes I spray it on my hands and rub her) OR if she does not like the smell, but it makes her go wild running around the house from bed to bed wiggling around looking like she's trying to get it off. lol

BTW I picked up something called Swamp Gator Deet free / All Natural repellent at Lowe's and it works quite well!

It contains:

Geriniol
Peppermint
Rosemary
Gerainum oil

posted April 27, 2012 08:56 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by T:
Oh I missed this post! Great info MBlake

Yeah, I have a big bottle of Lavender essential oil and use it in a flea/tick mist for my dog (and on myself as a bug repellent). I'm not sure if my dog just doesnt like her coat getting wet or what (sometimes I spray it on my hands and rub her) OR if she does not like the smell, but it makes her go wild running around the house from bed to bed wiggling around looking like she's trying to get it off. lol

BTW I picked up something called Swamp Gator Deet free / All Natural repellent at Lowe's and it works quite well!

It contains:

Geriniol
Peppermint
Rosemary
Gerainum oil

---

Dog likes to smell like dog. Humans like perfumes.

quote:

---

Originally posted by T:
Wait a minute....is Mblake a "he"? Sorry if you are and I called you a "she".

Maybe you have one of those contraptions and already make your own?

---

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ytCEuuW2_A

He.

posted April 28, 2012 03:47 AM            

(((hugs)))

It might be less expensive to make your own, but at this point, i prefer to buy it. I know i'd screw it up somehow anyway. lol