A blend of five essential oils is often found in aromatic germ-fighting blends. This recipe is said to have been handed down by a band of medieval robbers. This name has stuck because these dishonest men robbed the sick and dying during a Medieval plague. For some reason, these robbers didn’t get sick themselves.
Eventually, they were caught and brought before the king. He agreed to treat them with leniency, if they told him their secret. Apparently, they used a recipe of aromatics that had been in their family for generations.
I don’t know if this story is true. I tend to doubt that it is. But it has some basis in fact. An old herbal germ-fighting recipe was apparently used centuries ago. It was apparently used during a plague. And it’s on display in a museum in Marseille, France.
A popular germ-fighting blend sold by a multilevel marketing company has popularized this story. But I don’t buy this product because I don’t like shopping through multilevel marketing networks. Instead, I use similar products sold by companies who market more directly to the consumer.
Essential Oils to Kill Fleas on Dogs
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One formula I’m familiar with is called Protect, and it’s sold by Fabulous Frannie.
Whether or not this story of the thieves is true, the oils in all of these different blends do appear to contain germ-killing compounds.
Also, insects seem to hate the smell of these oils. Actually, they seem to hate the smell of essential oils period. That’s why essential oils are all we need to use for insect control in our house, despite the fact we live in a wooded area.
If you have a hard time believing this, here’s an experiment to try at home. If you have an ant invasion, put a drop of a germ-fighting essential oil on your kitchen sponge, before you wipe down your counter. If you do this regularly, the ants may very well stay away. (This blend is very strong, though, so if you have a glossy finish, test it on a small patch to make sure it doesn’t hurt your counters.)
Flea Repellent With Essential Oils
Because essential oils work so well at keeping pests away, they are the active ingredients in the ready-to-use all-natural flea and tick repellents now on the market. These products are a very welcome alternative to the chemical products, which, each year, cause injury and death.
Sadly, according the Center for Public Integrity, one type of flea killer, often referred to as “spot on treatment,” has been known to cause animal deaths. Other research has found that flea collars give off dangerous chemicals weeks after they are placed on a pet. This poses a risk for the animal, as well as for its human companions.
Essential Oils Flea Control
Essential oils are how we keep our nearly 16-year-old dog from itching and scratching all summer. I truly believe we’ve had him so long because we use only natural remedies, instead of drugs and chemicals.
At times, we’ve used geranium essential oil on his collar. For direct use on an animal, this is a better choice than a similar germ-fighting blend. Germ-fighting blends are harsh. So I only recommend them for household sprays to use on furniture and carpets.
Flea Repellent Essential Oils
Geranium oil, used judiciously, seems much safer than a so-called spot-on treatment, the cause of so many injuries. You do have to use all essential oils with caution, even ones considered safe for dogs. This means not putting them directly on your pet unless they’re heavily diluted.
For flea control, we don’t apply geranium essential oil to our pet’s skin. All we do is put a drop on his collar, maybe about once a week. The collar should fit snugly enough so a dog won’t lick the oils. You can also put a drop of geranium oil on a leash when you go for a walk. Also, lemongrass essential oil is another good flea and tick remedy.
Because I’m not a veterinary professional, you’re still going to have to ask your own vet for advice. (If at all possible, try to find a holistic vet, because these practitioners are much more likely to wholeheartedly endorse a non-chemical, drug-free approach to pet care. They will also educate you on the best ways to keep your pet healthy.) So please consult your vet before using essential oils on your pet. Never use aromatics on a pregnant female.
Germ Fighting Essential Oil for Fleas
I’m only talking about essential oils for dogs here. Don’t use any essential oil on a cat, because they lack a liver enzyme needed to metabolize these compounds. Although one or two online vets do believe it’s okay to use certain aromatics on cats, they’re definitely in the minority. They might be right, but it’s going to take more research before anyone would suggest essential oils are safe for felines.
But, if you own a dog, germ-fighting essential oil blends can be used as non-toxic flea control around the house.
Essential Oils for Vacuuming Fleas
For instance, you can put about 15 drops of a germ-fighting formula in a glass spray bottle filled with water, and use it to keep fleas and ticks off of your furniture. (But do a test patch first, to make sure it doesn’t stain.) Also, make sure to use a glass spray bottle because essential oils are so strong that they’ll degrade plastic.
You can also put a few drops of germ-fighting essential oil in a vacuum cleaner canister, to create a hostile environment for any flea eggs that get trapped in the canister.
For our own personal use, I’ve purchased a blend made with the same oils as the original proprietary Thieves. It’s made by Fabulous Frannie, a small California-based company. I’ve been very pleased with its germ-fighting Protect formula.
Fabulous Frannie Protect Blend
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Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils, unless under the direction of a health care professional.