Comments on: Repel Fleas With Pennyroyal

By: Slim

Slim — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:43:35 +0000

Hi Patrice, thanks for stopping by!
There are a number of places to buy seeds and essential oils online. I think CA has some shipping restrictions for the oil but I don’t think that exists for NJ.

By: Patrice Jantorno

Patrice Jantorno — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:50:09 +0000

I have been trying to find out where to purchase the oil to make a flea collar for my pets. Anyone familiar with where to find it in the Magnolia, New Jersey area (close to Voorhees).

Thank you.

By: Slim

Slim — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:50:51 +0000

I think that depends on your dog and their ability to tolerate the smell – as well as any potential skin irritation. Personally, I don’t use the essence of oil because it can be toxic. I much prefer to plant the actual plants in the yard. It takes a lot of plants but you don’t have to worry about toxicity.

By: Brenda Pron

Brenda Pron — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:45:21 +0000

When using the penny royal esscence of oil as a topical for flea treatment and applying just 1 drop. How offen can this be done?

By: YASMINE

YASMINE — Tue, 19 May 2009 22:23:27 +0000

a rock??? I will try. Thank you!!

By: Slim

Slim — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:16:17 +0000

Hi Yasmine – I hope you get your seeds to grow successfully. One easy way to grow (and protect) them is to put seeds or cuttings under a rock. Their roots will spread underneath multiply rapidly. It may take awhile for your plants to get established but once it is in your yard fleas will move out.

Yeah the essential oil can be quite strong, especially if used full strength. You might try diluting it a bit.

Good luck!

By: YASMINE

YASMINE — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:53:00 +0000

Hello Slim
I have purchased dried pennyroyal mint 1lb, ( very inexpensive ) and put small amount into the tea bag and left them on the floor.
Just put seeds in my yard yesterday. I am hoping that they will grow successfully / sufficient just like your yard!
me and my dogges are from Las Vegas and we never had flea problems there though, after moved to San Francisco, I think I was the worst victim of flea bites. Also, I dont use any harsh chemicals in the house, needless to say, difinitely not in my system and my doggies, a cat and cute bunnies.
I have no choice to clean my house daily and hose up hot water in my yard to get rid of fleas, lavaes and eggs… In the mean time, I feel bad to kill them. Then I learned how to repell them!! It is just a wonderful idea not to kill, but repell them. Guilty free! I cant wait my pennyroyal grow so green in my yard.
By the way, I found pennyroyal mint essensial oil at the health shop, though, I accidentaly touched it and I had a very bad reaction on my skin all over where I touched it. ( I put drops all over on my bed spread and then laid down there, watching movies… )

Thank you for the great information.

By: Slim

Slim — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:23:12 +0000

Hi Ulises,

I found pennyroyal growing wild in the SF Bay area and that’s what I currently have now. You should be able to find it at any number of herb shops but you might want to try buying it online and grow it from seed. Given the historic (mis)use of pennyroyal extract being used for abortions, it might be more difficult to find the actual plant for sale in some areas.

By: Ulises Rubio

Ulises Rubio — Sat, 09 May 2009 18:57:01 +0000

I need to know where to purchase the pennyroyal in the Northern California area.

By: Slim

Slim — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:30:31 +0000

Hi Sharon – I use the actual plant, not an extract or oil. I think all dogs are different but my dogs have never been interested in eating the plant. It is a member of the mint family and grows, looks and smells a lot like mint.

I have found that transplanting or using a cutting is very easy to do if you dig a small hole and then cover the plant with a brick or large rock (to keep digging dogs from uprooting and killing it). I plant a sprig anywhere that my dog likes to hang out – by his dog house, under the shade tree, etc. It is very easy to grow. Once it is established in your yard fleas will just go away. It does not kill fleas, it just repels them. The bigger the area, the more you will need. It works best if your dog is confined to a smaller area (like a dog run or kennel).

My back yard is approximately 22′ x 100′ and I have 4 different areas where the pennyroal is growing and that has been sufficient. I happened to find my plants over 10 years ago and have used the same ones for years. But you can buy seeds here: http://www.localharvest.org/american-pennyroyal-seed-C9867
Good luck!