How to prepare wormwood against fleas? - briefly
Grind dried wormwood leaves, steep one cup in two liters of boiling water for 15 minutes, let cool, strain, and spray the solution onto the pet’s coat and surrounding area, repeating every three days. Alternatively, macerate wormwood in ethanol at a 1:5 ratio for two weeks, dilute the resulting tincture tenfold with water, and apply to affected spots.
How to prepare wormwood against fleas? - in detail
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) can be turned into an effective flea deterrent through several preparation methods. The process begins with harvesting mature aerial parts—leaves and stems—when the plant is in full bloom. Choose plants free of disease and pesticide residues; rinse briefly in cool water and pat dry.
Drying the material is essential for stable extracts. Spread the cut foliage on a clean screen in a well‑ventilated, shaded area. Allow 5–7 days for air‑drying, turning the pieces once daily to promote even moisture loss. When the leaves feel brittle and crumble easily, store them in airtight containers away from light.
Two common formulations are a water‑based infusion and an alcohol tincture.
Infusion (spray):
- Measure 30 g of dried wormwood.
- Add to 1 L of boiling water.
- Simmer for 15 minutes, then cover and steep for 30 minutes.
- Strain through a fine mesh, discard plant matter.
- Cool the liquid, pour into a spray bottle, and apply directly to pet bedding, carpets, and outdoor resting spots. Reapply every 48 hours during heavy infestation.
Tincture (concentrated repellent):
- Combine 100 g of dried wormwood with 500 mL of 40 % ethanol.
- Seal in a dark glass container, shake daily for two weeks.
- Filter the mixture, transfer to a dropper bottle.
- Dilute 1 part tincture with 9 parts water before use; the solution can be sprayed or added to wash water for pet coats. Use cautiously on surfaces that may be damaged by alcohol.
Safety considerations: wormwood contains thujone, a neurotoxic compound at high concentrations. Avoid applying undiluted extracts to animal skin; always test a small area first. Keep preparations out of reach of children and pets. Do not use on food‑preparation surfaces.
For persistent flea problems, combine wormwood treatments with regular vacuuming, washing of pet bedding at 60 °C, and environmental control (maintaining indoor humidity below 50 %). The described preparations provide a botanical alternative that reduces reliance on synthetic insecticides while maintaining efficacy when applied correctly.