Tis the season for fleas, ticks and other creepy crawlies. They can affect not only human health but also that of our dogs, cats and feathered friends. Finding a natural solution is easy once you become acquainted with the power of Neem Oil.
After moving to our new farm last year I tried to find a natural treatment that worked. I wanted something safe that could be used easily and effectively in a wide spectrum of uses.
After a bad experience with chemical based pest treatments I vowed never to use them again. My poor pup Buddy had full-body tremors after reacting poorly to a few drops of flea and tick treatment on the back of his neck. This opened my eyes to the fact that man-made treatments were bad news.
For a while I dabbled with various essential oils such as Geranium, Lemongrass, Peppermint and Eucalyptus. They were somewhat effective but I still wasn’t getting the results I had hoped for.
This year, I decided to try Neem Oil. I was already using it on my fruit trees as a natural pesticide so I did some research. Not only was it safe to use with my dogs and cat but I could also use it with my chickens.
Neem Oil works well for fleas, ticks, mites, lice and many other insect pests. I have used it for scale insects on apple trees to tent caterpillar prevention.
I opt to use organic, 100% pure, cold pressed products. The less refined a product, the more attractive it was to use around my family and our animals. Neem Oil can be ordered online via Amazon by following this link – Naked Neem Organic Unrefined Neem Oil, 16 Oz.
As a pesticide spray the mixture is simple and effective. You can use the following recipe to treat fruit trees and bushes, garden vegetables and inside chicken coop and dog kennel areas.
NEEM OIL PEST SPRAY AND PET DIP
- 1 Gallon Warm Water
- 2 Tbsp Neem Oil
- 1 tsp Dish Soap
If you wish to use this solution as a pet dip, hold the animal in the mixture for 10 minutes. For birds I would still recommend the use of diatomaceous earth. DE would be less likely to effect the insulative properties of a bird’s feathers.
For direct application with your backyard flock Neem Oil is safe. Apply undiluted oil to the feet of chickens suffering from Scaly Leg Mites. You may also use the oil on areas of skin irritation or dry skin.
As a general bug spray in areas your chickens frequent there is no need to worry. Neem Oil in small quantities will not harm your birds. They can safely eat bugs that have been misted with the spray. The bonus? Internal parasites may meet their demise.
For dogs and cats you can use pure Neem Oil to deter fleas and ticks. Apply Neem Oil around the neck, chest and ears or anywhere ticks like to attach. It can also be used to clean the ears of mites although you may wish to dilute it slightly with warm water.
By adding 1-2 tsp of Neem Oil to your pet’s shampoo it will help prevent fleas and ticks. It can also help clear skin conditions and moisturize their coat.
For those of you with psoriasis, you can add a few drops to unscented lotion or essential oil skin preparations. Active ingredients in Neem Oil help reduce inflammation.
Admittedly, Neem Oil doesn’t have the most attractive scent but, it is super effective. I’m sure you can Google many more uses from getting rid of head lice to ornamental leaf shine recipes.
One note of caution – do not use Neem Oil around humans and animals who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. It has been known to be a factor in spontaneous abortion in rare instances. If you have any concerns with Neem Oil use, consult your doctor or veterinarian.
#LifeOn25Acres
5 Comments
Hi, I have a hen that just hatched a chick and I see that she has scaley leg mites. Do you think I can rub vaseline with neem oil in it on her legs while she is spending so much time with the chick below her? The chick is about 4 days old. I know the vaseline with neem is effective as I have used it before but I am concerned about the chicks health. Thanks! Mary
I honestly don’t see where Vaseline and neem should be a problem around chicks. While they may be curious to anything “sticking” to mom’s legs as a result of the coating, I doubt they would consume enough of anything for it to bother them. They will be more interested in pecking at what mom pecks at. Just watch the nesting area so the chicks aren’t overrun with mites as well. A little diatomaceous earth at the bottom of the box should help keep them fight the mite issue.
Can you spray Neem Oil in a spritz bottle inside the chicken area? I have tons of flies & worry about my chickens & rabbits who are housed under the same roof.
For the most part Neem Oil must come into physical contact with the critters you are trying to get rid of. It has proven to be safe around chickens but can cause skin and eye irritation in rabbits and other small animals. Flies can be tricky to deal with but perhaps employing a fly trap or making sure the area is clean of fecal matter is your best bet. You could even use an oscillating fan to keep flies out of a smaller enclosed area. I wish you luck!
The bottle of Neem Oil I purchased said to use the spray in early morning, or late evening so bees are not affected. If bees are adversely affected by Neem Oil, it’s probably a good idea to make sure everyone understands this from the start. I appreciate your sharing such great tips.