How to prepare a wormwood infusion against fleas?

How to prepare a wormwood infusion against fleas? - briefly

Steep 10 g of dried wormwood in 500 ml of near‑boiling water for 15 minutes, strain, and apply the cooled infusion to the pet’s coat or spray it in the living area. Repeat weekly to sustain effectiveness.

How to prepare a wormwood infusion against fleas? - in detail

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) produces a potent infusion that can repel and kill fleas on pets and in the home environment. The preparation requires precise measurement, controlled steeping, and careful application to avoid toxicity.

Begin by selecting dried wormwood leaves, preferably of culinary grade, free from mold or contamination. Weigh 30 g of the dried material for every 1 L of water. Use distilled or filtered water to prevent mineral interference with the active compounds.

Place the herb in a heat‑proof container, pour water heated to 95 °C, and cover immediately. Allow the mixture to steep for 20 minutes; prolonged steeping degrades the essential oils and reduces efficacy. After steeping, strain through a fine mesh or cheesecloth, discarding the solid residue.

The resulting liquid may be used in two ways:

1. Topical spray for animals

   • Transfer the infusion to a clean spray bottle.
   • Dilute with an equal volume of distilled water (1 : 1 ratio) to lower the concentration to a safe level for skin contact.
   • Test on a small skin area of the animal for 15 minutes; observe for signs of irritation before full application.
   • Apply generously to the coat, avoiding eyes, mucous membranes, and open wounds. Reapply every 48 hours during heavy infestation.

2. Environmental treatment

   • Pour the undiluted infusion into a spray bottle.
   • Apply to bedding, carpets, and pet sleeping areas, focusing on seams and crevices where fleas hide.
   • Allow surfaces to dry completely before allowing pets back into the treated zones.
   • Repeat weekly until flea counts diminish.

Store any remaining infusion in a sealed glass container at 4 °C. Use within two weeks; prolonged storage leads to loss of active constituents.

Precautions include:

• Keeping the preparation out of reach of children and non‑target animals.
• Avoiding use on pregnant or lactating pets without veterinary consultation.
• Monitoring for allergic reactions such as redness, swelling, or excessive scratching; discontinue use if symptoms appear.

When combined with regular grooming, vacuuming, and environmental sanitation, a properly prepared wormwood infusion serves as an effective, natural flea control measure.