Flea Collar

Flea collar were first introduced in the 1960's whereby it was relatively effective against dog flea and cat flea. Flea collars are specially made with a special type of material which releases a pesticide that kill flea. When the pesticides within the collar run out, a new one would be needed to replace it.

When flea collar was first introduced, it was able to reduced flea bites on the animals significantly and as a result was very popular at that time. However, its popularity decline over the years because some animals were found to develop skin irritations especially around the neck region after using it. Moreover, the effect of the flea collar seems to be only restricted to the area around the neck and upper half of the body of the animal. The lower half of the animal's body remains unprotected from fleas. 

This coupled with more reported adverse side effects like seizures, extensive skin irritation and the availability of more effective flea medication like the spray and spot-on treatment, the flea collar are hardly used nowadays. 

Flea collar are also not suitable for use in all pets and household. Over the years, many different pesticides have been used and incorporated into these collars. Some are safe for adult dogs but may be harmful to puppies and cats. As such, care must to be exercise when selecting a flea collar for your pet and when in doubt, it's best that a veterinarian advice be seek.

These pesticides contain within the flea collar may also causes skin irritation and other toxic effect on human. As such, for household with children, the use of flea collar is also unsuitable. Children tend to play and hug their pets and the pesticides from the flea collar could easily be smeared onto the hands, legs and even the mouth.

Natural Herbal Flea  Collar

Though you are advise against the use of commercially available flea collar which contains toxic pesticides, you can always make a natural flea killer or repellent collar with essential oil.

Take an ordinary collar and soak it into a combination of the follow essential oil"

1-2 drops of eucalyptus oil
1-2 drops of tea tree oil
1-2 drops of lavender oil
1-2 drops of geranium oil
1-2 drops of citronella oil
1/2 teaspoonful of alcohol.

Let it dried and your natural flea killer or repellent collar is ready for use. The effect can last for a couple of weeks to a month. However, as cats are sensitive to essential oils, use with caution on cats.

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