HomeBrowseNewslettersContestsAskShare 
AllGuidesQuestionsVideosBy DateRecent Feedback My AccountAbout Us
Pets > Fleas on April 24, 2012

Saving Money on Flea Prevention

Dog getting a flea treatment.There are a variety of commercial flea prevention products on the market, but they can be quite pricey. This is a guide about saving money on flea prevention.
     

Solutions: Saving Money on Flea Prevention

Read and rate the best solutions below by giving them a "thumbs up".

Flea Prevention Saves Money

Prevention and maintenance are the keys to saving money in many areas. For example: I failed to use the between-the-shoulder-blades flea preventative on my dog this summer (costs about $15 per treatment). As a result, I had to deal with a nasty flea infestation.

I had to rent a carpet cleaner ($25), take the dog to the groomer ($45. I tried home "flea baths" - it didn't work after 3 tries) and buy a "flea bomb" for the house ($10)

By Leann D

4 0SharePrintFollow2 Feedbacks

Buy Name Brand Flea and Tick Remedy in Bulk

I've got several dogs and cats at home, and we live near fields with tall weeds. Therefore, summer time is a flea nightmare! I've bought the "cheaper" flea/tick remedies from the pet store, but they didn't work too well. Recently, I found my premium flea/tick products (Frontline, Advantix) on eBay.

They aren't sold in the individual packets, instead they are packed with a syringe and bottle. You pour the large dose of medication into the glass bottle, measure it into the syringe (no needle, of course) and apply it to your pet based on weight. It is exactly the same as having the vet apply it, but much cheaper!

I bought a one year supply of Frontline for my Sheltie, and spent less than $30! That is even cheaper than the brands that don't really work. All you have to do to save money in this case is measure it yourself. In my opinion, it is definitely worth it. Make sure you double check the seller's description, EPA approved Frontline doesn't have an expiration date. Good sellers will display this info, and feel free to ask questions.

By Stacey from Dorr, MI
4 0SharePrintFollow8 Feedbacks

Affordable Natural Flea Prevention

This remedy works well in my home. I frequently use it just for prevention of fleas.

Approximate Time: over night + bathing time

Yield: 1 gallon

Supplies:

  • apple cider vinegar
  • water
  • fresh rosemary
  • 1 gallon milk jug
  • Saran Wrap
  • Dawn dish washing liquid (original blue)
  • a small to medium pot

Steps:

  1. In one gallon jug add apple cider vinegar and water 1/1 parts about half way in the gallon jug.
  2. Steep the rosemary with boiling water covering it with the Saran Wrap (like a tea).
  3. Let mixtures set over night.
  4. The next morning pour the steeped rosemary tea in the gallon jug with the apple cider vinegar mixture and finish the gallon off with tap water.
  5. Bathe animals with Dawn dish washing liquid and let it set for a while. Rinse animal completely with warm water; remember the animal's temperature is a little higher than ours, so a little warmer than room temp won't hurt.
  6. After being completely rinsed off let them drip dry and shake a few minutes. Then pour the mixture on the animal. You want to rub it through the coat and into the skin, then let them go! Let them air dry.

The apple cider vinegar is said to make the skin acidic and less attractive to the fleas and fleas are also repelled by the rosemary. This has been very successful in my home. My little dog rubs and wallows on everything trying to get the smell of the rosemary off. You can also place the mixture in a spray bottle to spray bedding, furniture, closets, and under beds!

By Amanda Kay B.

1 0SharePrintFollowPost Feedback

Frontline Spray is Cheaper than Individual Applications

Frontline Spray is cheaper then buying the individual shoulder application drops. I pay $24 for a bottle and it lasts all summer for my 4 dogs. Here is where I go to shop online for it:

By Robyn Fed from Hampton, TN

0 1SharePrintFollow2 Feedbacks
Share Your Feedback: Once you try any of the above solutions, be sure to come back and give a "thumbs up" to the solution that worked the best for you. Do you have a better solution? Click "Share a Solution" above!

Questions

Here are questions related to Saving Money on Flea Prevention.

Saving Money on Flea Prevention

I'm tired of spending tons of money on those flea killers that come in droppers and you use one a month. They don't work and they are very expensive. Does anyone have any idea how to get rid of fleas without spending tons of money?

Thanks!
Soly from Miami, Florida

SharePrintFollow12 Feedbacks

Most Recent Answer

By profile.php?id=1286101460 05/30/2012

I use dawn detergent. I put some around the neck first. Then lather them up and I play with them while they are in tub for 5 minutes or longer. I have 3 dogs and two cats. I also spread peppermint and spearmint in my yard. I do not have a flea/tick problem. I live in KY.

Can Diluted Flea and Tick Shampoo Be Used as a Spray-on Treatment?

Can I use diluted Hartz flea and tick shampoo and spray it on my dog? Where I give her a bath is too cold and I'm afraid she will catch a cold.

By Sherry from Fort Pierce, FL

SharePrintFollow2 Feedbacks

Most Recent Answer

By K9cats 11/16/2010

Hello,
No, I would not use that mixture. As Deeli said, it will leave a residue on your dog. It will be sticky and also not good for her unless it is rinsed off.

Natural Flea Prevention

Is there any natural way to get rid of fleas on pets? Does garlic work?

By BigJohn from TN

SharePrintFollow1 Feedback

Most Recent Answer

By Robyn Fed 08/14/2010

I like to do research at earthclinic.com and look under the pets tab and put in fleas, or click on the fleas tab.
There are lots of good ideas.
Blessings,

Robyn

Archives

Here are archived discussions related to this page.

Natural Flea Prevention

Natural Flea Prevention
I was wondering does any one know of a fleas protection that works and doesn't use harmful ingredients? We have a Chihuahua and he is miserable this year with fleas, we have used all we can. I have sprinkled Borax on the carpets and furniture, sweep all the time.

Our Cheeto is scratching all the time. He even has sores where he scratches. Please does any one know of a natural way to control fleas?

Thanks and May God Bless.

Tamara from TX


RE: Natural Flea Prevention

I have 2 Chihuahuas and I have used Avon Skin So Soft. Just put a little in your hands and gently rub all over the dogs. It is safe for them. I also a mixture of vinegar and water, this works good, too. Use 1/4 vinegar and 3/4 water mixture in a small spray bottle. They won't like it, but will get used to it; when it's time to go out and potty just give them a lil squirt. It won't smell too good, but the smells wears off fairly quickly. Hope this helps. (09/05/2007)

By Jean

RE: Natural Flea Prevention

I have posted this for many times on various sites:

1 tsp. white vinegar to 1 qt. water into drinking water. Once you start this, you have to keep it up, but it works. I don't know who posted this originally (so I can't give her the credit she so richly deserves), but it works. In our house, it doesn't bother our one remaining dog at all. Our other dogs never minded it. Our cats don't like it, but they have no choice.

No fleas in our house for the past 3-4 years. Try it. I think you'll like it, and it's cheap and good for the environment. (09/05/2007)

By Laine

RE: Natural Flea Prevention

I understand you can use used coffee grounds sprinkled through out the yardt. I is very helpful. (09/05/2007)

By Julia

RE: Natural Flea Prevention

Try adding brewers yeast to their food. Apparently after a short time of doing this, they begin to smell bad to fleas and they won't go on them. My cat always loved it and it works very well, but again it is something that must be done daily all through flea season. (09/05/2007)

By thriftmeg

RE: Natural Flea Prevention

If your dog has sores on his body, please take him to the vet. His constant scratching could lead to infections. (09/05/2007)

By S Singer

RE: Natural Flea Prevention

Put a couple of drops of Dawn dish soap into a large spray bottle of water. Spray this everywhere, just not where someone could slip and hurt themselves, including using it to wash dear little Cheeto. It won't hurt him. Dawn is the stuff used to rescue animals from oil slicks. If your sprayer has a pinpoint or needle spray, spray it along your baseboards. Mop your non wood floors with it. It kills fleas. Exterminators use it, too. Of course also avoid spraying fabrics, electrical stuff, etc. (09/06/2007)

By Linne

REF: Fleas

I also have a Chihuahua and a cat. They have not had fleas in three years. I use this stuff that the mailman gave me. Now he orders it for me. He has six dogs. There is a small and large bottle, it's called Cooper's Flea and Tick Mist. I guess you would have to ask your vet to order it for you. Here's a phone # 816 413-1444 (09/06/2007)

By phyllissanjua

RE: Natural Flea Prevention

I want to thank you all for the replies to my question. I will try them. Cheeto's sores are better, the vet told us to put Neosporin on them, and they are almost gone, thank you for your concern. God Bless all. (09/06/2007)

By tamsy

RE: Natural Flea Prevention

I've been there and done that. There really is no way to control fleas "naturally". You really have to treat the house, the dog, and the yard all on the same day. It's harsh, but it works.

If you want to you could change the dogs diet to a more natural one. It shouldn't be that difficult since it seems like you only have one. I have 4 large dogs and have lived in Mobile, AL. You can imagine the flea infestations in the summer, but they were never affected. I feed them home cooked foods, like boiled chicken, bones removed, with rice and the broth from the boiled chicken. It's the harsh chemicals in the dog food expensive or cheap that attract fleas. If you are open minded go to some of the natural or raw diet web sites just Google raw diet for dogs or natural diet for dogs.

Unfortunately he sounds like he's allergic to flea bites, but trust me there is nothing natural to kill flea infestation in your house or grass. If you can have it done professionally or set of bombs in your house and leave for a 12 hour period and come back and air out the house. But the pro's should only charge $50 - 100.00 to do your yard and house, then take the dog to the vet for a good dip. Please don't let your dog suffer any longer. (09/06/2007)

By Rose

RE: Natural Flea Prevention

I live in TX also, and have for 11 years and never had a problem with my four dogs until this summer. It was a nightmare. We had to treat the yard, the dogs, the house, and now they are on Advantix from the vet. It's worth every penny. They make it for very small dogs too. This is Texas. The other stuff just doesn't work. (09/09/2007)

By suzi_homemaker01


Natural Flea Prevention

I am looking for a natural remedy to kill fleas.

By Carol from Aragon, GA


RE: Natural Flea Prevention

The only natural flea prevention I have heard of is salt. Sprinkle salt on carpeting and you must leave for a few days and then vacuum. You may have to do his a few times. The longer you leave the salt, the better it works. I'd imagine you could use baking soda. (03/25/2010)

By twinkies

RE: Natural Flea Prevention

For on the animal, or to treat the home? Either way, you could use food grade DE powder (diatomaceous earth). Do NOT use the stuff made for swimming pool filters, as that has other additives in it that aren't good. The DE powder dries out the fleas, and that is what kills them. (03/25/2010)

By KandS2

RE: Natural Flea Prevention

You can use a combination of brewers yeast and garlic. This is available in tablets. Most dogs love them. (03/26/2010)

By LADHOPKINS


Natural Flea Prevention

How can I get rid of cat fleas, naturally?

By Dawn from Bellingham, WA


RE: Natural Flea Prevention

Not on your pet (unless you use a flea comb daily and bathe once a week). In your carpet, you can use borax. Also, don't use an "herbal" flea remedy on your pet, these drive the pet crazy because of the strong odors! And flea collars only kill fleas on the animals head and shoulders.

* With a flea comb, you have to have a bowl of warm water with a drop of dish soap in it (to break the surface tension) sitting next to you. You dip the flea comb into the water after every brush-stroke to drown the fleas. (04/26/2010)

By Cyinda

RE: Natural Flea Prevention

Get medicine or brush him and bathe him every other day. (04/27/2010)

By heidisunshine

RE: Natural Flea Prevention

Plant lavender in the yard. (05/28/2010)

By Flintmoonwitch

Follow ThriftyFun