Summer Weather Tips, Keeping Cats
Off Property
Summer Care: Fleas, Ants & More Alley Cat Allies has information on caring for cats outdoors in their fact sheet Community Benefits of Feral Cats. Here are some places in which you can purchase items to deter fleas and ants.
Bugs and Food Bowls
Ant Free dishes from Jeffers Pet Supply, phone toll-free 1-800-533-3377
- Stainless Steel Ant Free Dish, outer moat dish for outdoor protection against ants. Simply fill the moat with water. Inside dish is removable for easy cleaning. 2-qt stainless steel, $12.95. Item number RR-ZB,
- PetMoat Dish in 3 sizes, dishwasher safe. UV protected. Assorted colors. N3-PA, Pet Moat Dish - Junior, $5.95; N3-P1, Pet Moat Dish, Original, $8.25; N3-P6, PetMoat Dish, Giant, $13.50, food bowl = 1/2 gallon capacity, water bowl = 2.5 gallon capacity.
Fool-A-Bug Pet Dishes from Petsmart. If you're tired of your pet's food and water dishes being overrun by ants, snails or other small, crawling pests, try the Fool-A-Bug Dishes available from Petsmart. Their patented design simply does not allow small crawling pests access to the dish. And it's 100% safe for pets, people and the environment, because you can avoid the use of chemicals or pesticides in your pet's eating area. Plastic dishes are dishwasher safe. For best results, follow the instructions provided on each bowl. To purchase, click here and use the keywords "Fool-A-Bug".
Flea Advice from Vet Advice Line
Topical and internal - Green Hope Farms' Flee Free. This flower essence can be misted on, one drop put on hair and the etheric body rubbed, misted in the house or out of doors, with the request that the fleas leave your area. Green.hope.farm@valley.net (603-469-3662). Put a drop on your hands and rub all over the body, or etheric body of your animals. Put a few drops in water in a mister and mist your house and/or yard.
Also give it orally, one drop straight, or if your animal does not like that, you can dilute 1-2 drops in 1/4C water and give a few drops a day. This also sometimes helps with ticks.
Call the Flea Busters Company. Many areas of the country have this franchise. They give a year guarantee, use a borate type powder, which is very safe and non-toxic, and also dehydrates the flea. To find the one near you, call 800-666-3532 to find the nearest one to you. They, and health food or pet stores also sell do it your self yard & house products.
OUTDOORS: Most outside treatments, even diatomaceous earth, may harm good insects as well as fleas. A new product of nematodes, that you mix with water and spray on your yard, eat only flea larvae, so don't upset the normal flora of your yard. One name is BioFleaHalt from Farnam (800-234-2269). It is also available from Flea Busters.
More at www.vetadviceline.com/fleas.htm.
More Flea Solutions
Ward off fleas by spraying Grub-Away nematodes from Gardens Alive, http://www.gardensalive.com, on your garden/lawn. The product destroys flea larvae. If you want to use it at your colony site, you can dilute it in a hand-operated spray bottle and spray the colony area. Covers 300 sq ft for $14.95. Phone 513-354-1482.
Diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled over your yard. It is non-toxic and can be purchased at the feed store. It comes in a 50 lb bag for about $7.00. Be sure and get the food grade and not the material used in pools etc. Purchase over the internet (Note: See advice from Vet Advice).
Natural alternatives from the Pet Whisperer here.
Keeping Cats Out of Gardens
If you compost, you will make your garden unattractive to cats (and it is good for the plants and soil and the environment). One woman throws coffee grounds, citrus peels, egg shells, tea bags, veggie skins, etc. on top of where she plans to plant in the spring (and throw it in the raspberry bushes and bushes in the summer to decompose at will).
Paw Prints All Over Your Car?
Problem solvers include Shoo Cat repellent spray and repellents from Havahart and Ropel.
Shoo Cat, from Acadian Auto Appearance Centre, L.L.C., who have been in the automotive care business for 20 years. The product will not harm the paint finish or the animal. "Shoo Cat" does not have to be sprayed directly on the vehicle to be effective. Just apply in the front and rear of the vehicle is sometimes just as effective. Although, on severe cases application on front and rear bumpers is recommended. "Shoo Cat" can also be used around door entryways, trash bags or cans, screen windows, lawn furniture, gardens, and more. It comes in 8 oz containers with a spray top for easy application and storage. Contact Acadian at 100 Soth Main, PO Box 1444, Abbeville, LA 70510, Phone: 800-366-0381, e-mail.
Havahart Repellants are available at many Ace Hardware Stores, True Value, and Do It Best stores. Contact the store prior to visiting to ensure the products are available.
Ropel Dog & Cat Repellent is an all natural granular repellent containing thymoil, peppermint oil, and white pepper. While not unpleasant to humans, the smell is extremely repulsive to these animals, and keeps them from messing on lawns, flower beds and gardens. Treats up to 500 sq. ft. Reapply weekly or until problem stops. It is available from Planet Natural, 1612 Gold Ave., Bozeman, MT 59715, Phone Orders: 800-289-6656 or 406-587-5891, Fax: 406-587-0223, E-mail.
*We suggest checking with your veterinarian prior to using any new products.
