I use frontline spray for both dogs and cats and it seems to keep bugs away. I would never use the drops at all. Anyway it is more economical since I have more than one pet. I buy it online at 1800petmeds. I buy the 250 bottle of spray. It is safer than advantage and I know my animals appreciate it. I have heard vanilla extract..the real kind not the fake imitaion kind, keeps mosquitos away if you put it around on them dabbing it on...... I bathe animals in peroxide and baby shampoo to kill bugs when they are too young for spray.
I would check earthclinic.com and see if Apple cider vinegar repels pests and what benefits it is to the animals. I have heard about fabric softener sprays ( I dilute fabric softener in water until I like the smell) repel bugs from your clothes and such. I would spray it on the dogs bedding it makes static less of a problem and the hairs fall off better when you shake their blankets. I also use it on the carpet and in the air. It is cheaper and I like the smell better than fabreze.
There are many sprays like this made for pets, but unfortunately the smell from the essential oils tend to bother the dogs & cats more that the chemicals do! Also it's common for pets to have allergies to these essential oils! The most common ingredients are oil of peppermint, eucalyptus, pennyroyal & citronella. NEVER put these natural bug sprays on you pet when they've just been bathed in the last 2 or 3 hours or their skin can feel like it's burning.
It's hard to decide between natural or chemical bug repellents for pets, but remember. the strong scent of the essential oils can really bother their super-sensitive noses & sense of smell & if your pet goes outside & lives near the woods they won't be able to smell raccoons & other predators because the oils can mask their scent.
---> I recently had my cat almost die from Advantage brand flea drops. I've since found out that the company that makes them has put out a warning, but I've also decided to stay away from "natural" bug repellents. There are several new brands of the "monthly" types on the market. Do some research & talk to several vets!
* One last thing: Any time you use any of these bug repellents on your pet, first put only one small drop on them, then wait at least 2 or 3 hours before putting more on. This way you can tell if your pet has an allergy! My friend had his cat start foaming at the mouth right after he put only one tiny drop of advantage on her neck. My vet says seizures are also common. The directions on Advantage say to apply the whole tube once a month, but I believe it should be done differently - with half a tube being applied every 2 weeks so the animal doesn't have so many toxins applied all at one time!
---> Directions: To make your own bug spray you can take a well-marked spray bottle & fill it 3/4 full with rubbing alcohol then add one teaspoon of citronella oil (you can find this at any health food store) then shake well. Now spray this on to your dog being very careful to avoid their face & eyes or spray it on to a washcloth then rub it on your pets fur. Citronella is what I used on my son when he was young to prevent bug & flea bites, but I put the citronella into an unscented lotion instead of into alcohol. (Citronella is some smelly stuff!) Listerine: But the very best thing for repelling mosquitoes & some other bugs is Amber colored Original Listerine. (not the mint kind!) Put Listerine into a spray bottle & spray or wipe on to your dog. This can last for up to 2 days & is fairly nontoxic.
* Buy a large bottle of real Listerine (not the dollar store brand!) from Costco, Target or Walmart & put it into a spray bottle or a garden sprayer ($12) then spray your pets bedding, the grass & the area all around where your dog hangs out. This will last several days. My sister sprayed an outside wooden deck before a party last year & the mosquitoes stayed away for 2 days... They seem to hate the original amber colored Listerine (I think it's because of the eucalyptus).
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