I was just wondering if I was unusual in not using flea products on a regular basis to control fleas. I'm not saying my dogs have never had fleas but if I do see them I would use a flea shampoo to treat them. I suppose I'm lucky that their coats are light and I can see them quite easily. I'm asking because when I went to the vets a while ago the vet made it sound as if I was unusual in not using any products to prevent them.
Ange

Only ever treated my dogs for fleas once in 15 years, because they had them.

Raw diet, plenty of garlic and I spray the house every 6 months.

don't believe in putting pesticides on my dogs unless absolutely necessary.

Tohme thanks for you reply. I'm interested to know how you give your dogs garlic, whether you give cloves in their food or give capsules.
Ange

I give a fresh clove of garlic crushed every day.

If I am travelling I give garlic and fenugreek tablets by Dorwest.

You can give human capsules etc.

No capsule is as effective as the real thing though!

Thanks tohme I'll try it.

just curious do they sell garlic tabs especially for dogs or do you just use normal garlic tabs for humans? may sound dumb but just interested as my dogs never had fleas and this year in summer time might use garlic as a precaution

Tohme  thanks i will give it a go

I go years without treating my dogs for fleas.  As they are groomed on a pretty much daily basis I am fairly confident I would spot any before they had the chance to procreate so I don't spray the house either.  They are fed a complete diet and have never tasted garlic except when they are given a wee bit of tandori chicken :)
I did use to have to treat my old Dandie during harvest mite season though, although they never bothered the cockers.

I think it depends on the dog and the environment :)

I once owned a Tibetan Terrier who was the biggest flea magnet ever!!  I only had to take him outside the house and he'd have to be treated when we got home (flea combing and powders in those days) we also had to spray the house regularly.  I've never had another dog who was such a flea magnet!

Hello all I am new here and was looking for natural flea comtrol and ran up on this.I live in the USA and I never had a problem with fleas till I moved where I live now and my old neighbors moved. They are HORRIBLE and I am at my wits end to get rid of them. I bathe my dogs once a week, spray the whole yard (front and back) and fumigate the house at least every other month. They never DIE!! If anyone knows of anything that will work please write me and let me know! Thanks! Stacie

I'm not sure about what is permissable in the States, Stacie, but in the circumstances, I think I would get the professionals in, they can use stronger chemicals than you would be able to purchase, and they will have the correct protective clothing to protect them whilst doing it.

Failing that - get rid of all the carpet!

Regards Margot (who now feels a bit itchy herself ;) )

I try not to use chemicles so have invested in a steam cleaner. It is hot enough to kill eggs and any live fleas in furnishings etc.

Herbs such as pennyroyal, lavender and wormwood help to keep them away, either used as a rinse for the dogs and/or about the house in sachets. Not sure how well they work if you have a lot of flease about as I have been fortunate enough to never really have a problem with them.