jbd@duke.UUCP (Joanne Bechta Dugan) (08/21/85)
Here's a "recipe" for a natural flea shampoo for dogs: 4 oz. Joy (liquid dish detergent) 4 oz. Glycerin 2 oz. vinegar water to make a quart This shampoo lathers and rinses well, and (most importantly) is safe. It works as well as any commercial flea shampoo (I've tried many different brands). The fleas are "stunned" by the shampoo, and can be rinsed down the drain. Be sure to dispose of any that remain (I flush them down the toilet). If the "stunned" fleas are not removed from the bathroom, they will be found hopping around an hour later. I bathe my dogs once a week, and use a "flea comb" almost daily. This regimen controls the fleas rather well, without any insecticides. I don't believe it is possible to completely eradicate fleas in this part of the country (southeast). Joanne Bechta Dugan